With an eerie parallel to the Portland Trailblazers selecting Sam Bowie instead of Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft; the Texans made a terrible mistake in passing on once-in-a-generation superstar Reggie Bush with the first pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Texans? GM Charley Casserly denies the fact that recent allegations regarding the relationship between potential agents and Bush?s family had any bearing on their decision to make Mario Williams the first overall selection in this year?s draft. Despite what the Texan executives say, this could not have been strictly a football move. This selection had as much to do with measurements, forty-times, and college tape as it does with off-field allegations and potential contract snares. Throughout the entire draft process Reggie Bush had all the leverage in negotiation talks and could have held out for any amount of money because of his draft selection. Now with the #1 selection receiving a deal worth 6 years and $54 million, the market is set for Bush which could decrease his leverage drastically.

Reggie Bush inked a contract even before the NFL draft. The USC star running back and Heisman Trophy winner, expected to be the No. 1 pick in Saturday's draft, signed a multiyear endorsement deal with adidas on Wednesday. "It's going to be a great, long relationship," Bush said. "Adidas is on the uprise, and I want to be part of it." Bush will promote a line of football and training clothing and launch a cleat in 2007.

Reggie Bush wasn't sure if he was going to Houston, but he now knows he's going to the Saints. Team sources have told FOXSports.com that Bush had a conference call with head coach Sean Payton, GM Mickey Loomis and other team executives in which they informed him that they will select him with the second pick of the draft. In fact, late last night Payton even began redesigning his offense to center on Bush and Pro Bowl running back Deuce McAllister. Several rumors have stated that the Jets and other teams are near a deal with the Saints, but those rumors are untrue and team sources say the only way they would make a trade is if it were a "blockbuster" and rivaled deals of the Herschel Walker and Rickey Williams variety.

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported that other teams are interested in trading up and trying to get Bush in the draft. Among five teams that have contacted the Saints are the Jets, Raiders and the Packers. The Cardinals might be interested in trading up to No. 2, also, but they are not interested in drafting Bush. Bush's agent Joel Segal told Paolantonio that he has spoken to the Saints and they have given him every indication that they are preparing to take Bush with the second pick. No contract negotiations have begun as of yet.

The Saints signed veteran quarterback Jamie Martin on Thursday and also have shown interest in trading for Green Bay Packers receiver Javon Walker. Walker, 27, came to New Orleans for a physical Thursday. The Packers, however, reportedly are very reluctant to trade the former Pro Bowl selection unless some team offers a deal they cannot refuse. Walker, who has one year remaining on his contract, has demanded a trade this offseason and has threatened to retire if Green Bay doesn't let him play elsewhere. Until recently, the Packers refused his request, but this week they allowed him to meet with other teams. Walker reportedly visited the Denver Broncos after leaving New Orleans. "I don't think the odds are in favor of (a trade)," Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on Thursday. "We're just following up on some things. I don't necessarily feel it will end up in anything. We're going through the process."

The New Orleans Saints have made it clear that their linebacker corps next season will look much different than the group from last season. But after four weeks of the offseason program, exactly what this group will look like by the start of the season remains unclear. Gone are two of the top three tacklers among last year?s linebackers ? free agent Ronald McKinnon, who led the team with 101 tackles, and Sedrick Hodge (65 tackles), who signed with Miami as a free agent. The Saints have brought in two free-agent linebackers ? former Cowboy Scott Fujita and former Seahawk Anthony Simmons. Other additions are possible. One of the players that New Orleans is likely to consider selecting in the first round of the draft in two weeks is linebacker A.J. Hawk of Ohio State. ?Whether or not we?re finished there, it?s probably too early to say,? coach Sean Payton said. ?Some of these guys we?ve been able to sign we?re getting a good look at now and some have more experience than others.

Special teams ace Michael Lewis signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Lewis, who worked as a beer truck driver before making the Saints' roster five years ago, is the team's all-time leader in punt return yardage and kickoff return yardage.

The New Orleans Saints traded veteran tackle Wayne Gandy to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday in exchange for safety Bryan Scott. The Falcons also agreed to give the Saints a future conditional draft choice in exchange for Gandy. Scott, who is entering his fourth NFL season, has started 35 of 47 career games at both safety and cornerback for Atlanta.