| Ashok Ayyar. 3rd May, 2006 - 9:37 am
 As I argued in “Exit Interview,” the Texans primary concern is defense, and Reggie Bush would not be the silver bullet to right the ship. Mario Williams, the 2006 draft’s first selection overall, is considered by some to be as good as Julius Peppers. Peppers turned the Carolina Panthers’ defense upside down as they came within three points of a Super Bowl victory. If Williams is that kind of impact player, the Texans’ front office may have made the right choice.
The Texans draft day strategy centered on defense. Gary Kubiak is the new coach. Kubiak, as Mike Shanahan’s offensive coordinator in Denver, turned Mike Anderson, Olandis Gary, Clinton Portis, and Tatum Bell – all average players—into top flight NFL runners.
What does he need Reggie Bush for if he can turn Domanick Davis into a star?
Passing on Bush admittedly was dangerous from a public relations standpoint. Bush might be an instant star and one of the league’s elite players in his rookie season. Even if the average career of running backs is only five years, five years of Hollywood style glitz and Bo Jackson-esque glamour would be oh-so worth it. Some experts have even likened this to the Portland Trail Blazers passing on Michael Jordan for Sam Bowie.
But forget not that the Blazers already had Clyde Drexler at shooting guard, a budding superstar who played the same position as Jordan. You can’t have two guys in the same spot, which a good justification for passing on Bush. And the money issue: Bush’s camp demanded an out of this world signing bonus.
Williams is no Sam Bowie. He’s 6-7 and 290, an imposing player with tremendous burst and strength. He will anchor the defensive line and provide pass rush the Texans have never had in their pitiful existence. After drafting Williams, the Texans selected DeMeco Ryans, an intelligent and athletic LB from Alabama with the first pick in the second round. Scouts agree he will bring the OOMPH the Texans have lacked from that position as well.
By drafting Williams, and then Ryans, the Texans set the tone for a defense-minded draft.
The Texans did address another weakness by beefing up the offensive line with two third rounders, Charles Spencer and Eric Winston, providing depth at both tackle and guard.
DRAFT REVIEW
1 (1) Mario Williams, DE, 6-7 285 North Carolina State
2 (33) DeMeco Ryans LB 6-2 232 Alabama
3 (65) Charles Spencer G-T 6-5 330 Pittsburgh
3 (66) Texans (from Saints) Eric Winston G-T 6-7 310 Miami (FL)
4 (98) Owen Daniels WR 6-3 247 Wisconsin
6 (170) Wali Lundy RB 5-10 214 Virginia
7 (251) (Supplemental Compensatory Selection) David Anderson WR 5-11 195 Colorado State |
