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Show Sunday, April 30, 2006 DAILY HERALD ' 2006 NFL DRAFT Bush ROUND 1 1. Houston, Maro Wiliams, de, NC, Stat 2. New Orleans, Reggie Bush, rb, Southern Cal 3. Tennessee, Vince Young,ab, Texas. 4. New York Jets, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, ot. Virginia. 5, GreenBay, A.J. Hawk, Ib, Ohio State San Francisco, VernonDayis, te, Maryland. 7. Oakland, Michael Huff, db, Texas. 8. Buffalo, Donte Whitner,db, OhioState. 9. Detroit, Ernie Sims, Ib, Florida 10, Arizona, Matt Leinart. qb, Southern Cal, 11. Denver(from St. Louis) Jay Cutler, ab, Vanderbilt 12. Baltimore(from Cleveland), Haloti Ngata,dt, Oregon. 13. Cleveland (from Baltimore), KamerionWimbley, de, Florida State. 14. Philadelphia, Brodrick Bunk- Orleans went on the clock. Some joked they were planning their escape, saying they » feared a riot would break out by Hurricane Katrina. Instead, people who had lost everything eight months ago celebrated like they’d hit the jackpot when a large flat screen TV showed NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue makingit official: Bush was a Saint. The crowd roared, arms raised. Salvation had come. His name was Bush,and it wasn't the president of the United States, whosevisit a couple daysearlier hadn't generated nearly as much fanfare. “Did you hear that uprising? I thought that tent was going to blow over.It was almost as loud as the dome,”said fan Justin Joliboix, referring to the 16. Miami, Jason Allen, db, Ten: Louisiana Superdome, w! 19. San Diego, Antonio Cromartie, db,Florida State. 20. KansasCity, TambaHali, de Penn State. 21. New England, Laurence Ma- roney, rb, Minnesota, 22. San Francisco (from Wash: ington through Denver), Manny Lawson, de, N.C. State. 23. Tampa Bay,Davin Joseph, g, Oklahoma, 24. Cincinnati, Johnathan Joseph, db. South Carolina. 25. Pittsburgh (from New York Giants), Santonio Holmes, wr, Ohio storm damageis being repaired for the coming football season. Few in New Orleans expect: ed Bushto be available, believing that the Texans could not possibly passup the flashy running back who seems to draw so many comparisons to Hall-of-Famer Gale Sayers. For the Saints, who already have a strong running back in Deuce McAllister, much of the focus had been on more obvious needs,such as on the offensiveline andat linebacker. But Bush — whoin college caught passés and returned kicks with the same sensa- tional results as he achieved State. runningoutof the backfield 26. Buffalo (from Clicaao} John —'was too tantalizing to pass McCargo, dt. N.C, Stat 27. Carolina, DeAngelo Williams, rb. Memphis. 28. erica lle, Marcedes Lewis, te 29. New York Jets (from Denver), Nick Mangold, c, Ohio State. 30. Indianapolis, Joseph Addai, rb, LSU 31. Seattle, Kelly Jennings, db, Miami 32. NewYork Giants (fromPitts burgh), Mathias Kiwanuka, de, Boston College. ROUNDS2 and 3 SECOND ROUND DeMeco Ry The Saints still needed help on offensiveline following the loss of free-agent center LeCharles Bentley and the if anyone other than Southern California's Heisman Trophy back was taken. “Yeah, and I was going to start it,” said a grinning Claude ! laher, a season-ticket holder whose homein suburban Chalmette was obliterated ley. dt, FloridaState. 15, St. Louis (from Atlanta through Denver), Tye Hill, db, Clemson, nessee 17. Minnesota, Chad Greenway, tb, lowa. 18, Dallas, Bobby Carpenter, Ib, OhioState and Felix “Doc” Blanchard from 1943-46. Payton said the model USC used with Bush and White is similar to what New Orleans would likely do with Bush and McAllister. Continued frem D1 Cleveland), Roman Harper om Baltimore), Sinonice see trom Philadelphia), LenDale White Kloptenstein te Colorada. om atlanta). Daryn Colledge. ot Guin. db, Texas fiomDaas), Kellen Clemens, go, Marcus McNeil ot, Auburn 51. Minnesota rom Miami), Ryan Cook, c, New Mexico. sreen Bay irom New England), Greg Jennings, Hester. db, Miami aid Marshal. db, Fresno State 192 Bay. Jeremy Truebiond, ot, Boston ie Drew 1b, UCLA r,t, Western Michigan lenmings. db, Georgia 3p. de. Virginia Tech nesota om Pittsbuigh), Tarvars Jackson, lower. New Orleans then chose Alabama safety Roman Harperat 43rd overall. New Orleans also wanted ey Loomis said. “He stands out to everyone.| think that’s self-evident.It seems like every game'sa highlightreelfor Bushsaid he was not disappointed that he was not taken itating a torn anterior cruciate D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who was selected at No. 4 by the ligamentin his right knee. Payton called Bush “somelotofflexibility. There'll be tunity to boost moralein the storm-torn Gulf South. in regards to two backs. T! are good problems to have and weare looking forwardto it.” The 6-foot, 200-pound Bush, someadversity within this lust year or so,” Bushsaid after flying to New Orleans from New Yorkon Saints owner Tom Benson'sjet. “We're going to turn this program aroundand bring something special to this city. Get ready.” Bushwas the obvious choice from a marketing standpoint. The only question was whoturned 21 last month, had 1,740 yards rushing and 2.890 all-purpose yards for the 2005: Trojans, whose 41-38 loss to Texasin the Rose Bowlpre- vented them from winning a Having returned to New Orleans after a year in San Antonio, Baton Rouge and extra timeon the road,the Saints are trying to strengthen their fan base in a rebuildingcity. New Orleans’third-roundpick in a draft-day tradelast year. The Saints had showninterest in Virginialeft tackle NewYorkJets, and Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk, taken at No. 5 by Green Bay. New Orleans met with both a little onethat I know gives us a theability for us to put he and Deucein samebacxfield. Therewill be a lot of questions I think I can doa lot for not only this organization,but the city itself, which obviously had sl to pick again until the fourth round. Houston had acquired first overall, and saw playing in New Orleans as an oppor- “It's a blessing to be here. ig! corps, but were not scheduled third-straight national championship. Bushaveraged 8.9 yards a carry last season, caught 37 passes for 478 yards and led the nationin all-purpose yards with 222.3 per game. He shared thetailback position for three years with LenDale White, and the two combined for 99 career touchdowns to break the NCAA record of 97 set by Army's Glenn Davis causeheis a limited athlete and does not dominate his man and may not be drafted becauseofit. However, Cook is going to learn to use his hands better and will make an NFL teamas a backup center/guard and eventually will develop into a solid starting center, He will never be domi. nant, but will be solid and will block his man well in a small area. He reminds a little bit of Patriots center Dan Koppen. more than a week ago. ROUND 3 The Saints had the phone lines opento entertain trade offers prior to their No. 2 pick, but Loomis said no team presented anything he wouldseriously consider. PAUL MCQUISTAN G, 6-6, 313, WeberState 69thpick. Sth pick of Round3. Oakland Raiders Loomis said the Saints were not dissuaded from selecting Bush by an NCAA probe into. whether Bushorhis family received moneyora rent-free house from a sports marketing company that hoped to sign Bush asa client when he turned pro. “Wefelt comfortable that Analysis: McQuistan is Reggie's involvement in that was minimal, if any pomis said. “I'm concerned aboutit becauseI’m concerned about Reggie Bush nowthat he’s a Saint. We'll support Reggie andhis familyin any way we can regarding that matter.” the typeof of fensive lineman whegets over: looked often because he lacks goodall around athletic ability, but has enough athleticism, good natural strength and outstanding toughness and aggressiveness to makeup forit. McQuistan can be a goodstarting guard in the NFL, but with his height, long arms, quick feet and top: level competitiveness, he could Staying at USCfor senior year proved costly to Leinart DRAFT COMMENTARY Bob Glauber NeWwsDAY EW YORK — Hadhebeenhere a yearagoatthis time, he almost certainly would have heard Com- missioner Paul Tagliabue call his name first, and he would have earned a contract somewherein the neighborhood of It was General Manager Floyd team thatalready has an incumbent yourhopesup that you're going to go to a certain place, because it’s obviously out of my hands and out of my control.” That “certain place” was the Tennessee Titans, whohadthethird overall pick and werestrongly considering Leinart. Tennessee's offensive coordinator, Norm Chow,was Leinart’s offensive coordinator at USC. “Obviously,I've hada lot of talks with Norm Chowin recent days, and he was doing everything he can to get me,” Leinart said. “But it’s really not his decision.” Denver doa solid job at righttackle. FREDDIE KEIAHO ILB, 5-11, 227, San Diego State 94th pick, 30th pick of Round 3, Indianapolis Colts 92. Clevela Ravers fst: No Fatt Ngaot Oregon Cleveand State ant (No 18) 193. New York Giants tradedistt the Sievers 6 32) th Analysis: Keiaho is a player who lacks the ideal measureables for an inside linebacker, but he is a good athlete who. Consistently flies around the armstrength dropped his stock. Adams, wholives in Houston, was known Not quite. Leinart, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2004 and led USCto the Rose Bow!last season,slid to the 10th overall pick to Arizona. Had the Cardinals not taken him,Leinart might haveslid all the wayto the 17th overall pick, where Minnesotalikely would have taken him.Instead of earning $50 million, Leinart will be lucky to get half that much. “I'm still a top 10 pick,” Leinart said. “I didn’t expect that, but you've got to gointo this just thinking not to get 1, St Lou traded tst-ound ih third roun ®et scouting staff preferred Vince Young’s upside over Leinart, whose questionable to prefer Young, who also is from anotheryear at USC,figuring things would be pretty much the samethis. time around. Dayldraft trades Reese'scall, with little help from team owner Bud Adams. Reeseand his But MattLeinart decided he'd play THIRD ROUND ‘Chaties Spencer, ot, Pittsburgh ftom New Orleans), Eric Winston, ay, Abdul Hodge, 1, twa Sasec twDe field and makes a good num: ber of plays. Overall. Keiaho has the toughness..athletic ability and playing speed to challenge for a roster spot as a backup linebacker and special teams player. Houston,and gavehis blessing to take Young. Leinart instead goesto a Cardinals starter in Kurt Warner. But Warner is nearing the endofhis career, and Coach Dennis Green now hasthe luxury ofallowing Leinart tosit for a while and absorb the NFL game. “(He)said, ‘The greatthing is you don’t haveto play right away, and you havegreatreceivers,”’ Leinart said of his conversation with Green whentold ofhis selection. “Wehave a great running back, and we're going to do some wre Denver Broncos * Scouting reports by GM JR Scouting LLC ROUNDS4-7 These players should be drafted today: Todd Watkins, BYU; Hank Baskett. New Mexicc great things.” The Cardinals have oneofthe best _ Sets ofskill playersin the league, with Dontrell Moore, New Mexi Jeff Webb. San Diego State: receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald and newly acquired running Jovon Bouknight, Wyoming: back Edgerrin James. It may not be the best situation for Warner, whofor the second timein his careerwill haveto fendoffa first-round rookie. Warnersigned with the Giants in 2004 buteventuallylost his job to Eli anning. “He's the type of veteran that’s going to help the young guy.”Leinart said. Anderson. Colorado State; Cory Derrick Martin. Wyoming: David Rodgers, TCU. 114 New York ets he Eanes tnt. Wo 73) Soran CaP Theseplayers could be drafted today: Fahu Tahi, BYU: Manaia Brown, BYU: Mike Brisiel. Colo: rado State: Tyler Pennington. New Mexico: Marcus Demps. San Diego State: Michae! Tou douze, TCU: Quinton Ganther, Utah; Steve Fifita. Utah: Donald Penn, Utah State. “He's won a Super Bowl. He's been an MVP.There's nota lot of better players in'the leagueto learn behind.” AFIRST-ROUND LOOKAT UTAH’S FAVORITE NFL TEAMS* 49ers 2 docetatean, ot, Weber State. rnessee), Ashton Youboty, 00 rs Pope. e. Geori 3 Buffalo), Dusty Dvoracek. dt Okianoma 74 Detrot, Ban Calnoun;r, Wisconsin 75 Gren Baya BatinretroghNew England), jason Spitz 9. £0 Seas rimdoia,ethon Sao B, Ouest t Lous. Jn Alston i, Stanford rs Wison. w, Oklahoma, 79, Alanta.Jerous Norwood. rb, Mississipp State 80 Jacksonwite (tom Dallas). Clint ingram, 10 ‘Oklahoma 81. San Diego, CharWhitehurst, qb, Clemson, 82 Maan, Derek Hagan, wr, Anzona Sta £83 Pittsburgh trom Minnesota), Anthony Smith, “db, Syracuse 'B4. San Francisco (rom Washington), Brandon Winams. wr, Wisconsin. 85. Kansas Ciy, Brodie Croyle, qb, Alabama as 87 Baltimore(om New York Giants), David Pittman. db, Northwestern State. £88 Carolina trom Chicago), James Anderson, fb, Vipin Tech. £89 Carolina, Rashad Bute, ot. Miami ‘90, Tampa Bay. Maurice Stoval, wr, Notre Dame, 9% Cincinnati, Frostee Rucker, de, Southern Cal 92. Dalas (trom Jacksorille). Jason Hatcher, de, Grambing 23 St Loustom Denver trough Alinta and egenen ie Saabs Cal polis, Freddle Keiaho, tb, San Diego sbrh fram ete tough Marea ida State 8 NewtorGants rom Ptsburgh, Geis {wiknson, 1b, Georgia Ted ‘97 Mew York Jets, Ec Smith, db, Michigan State second-roundpick, nine spots to $50 million. ay) Ohad Jackson throughOenver aris, ab. Virgina Tech eP Dolphins) Analysis: Over. all, Cookis the * type of center who is often overlooked be- whether another running back is what the Saints need most, given that McAllister is entering the second year of an eightyear, $50.1 million contract McAllister, however,is rehabil- Minnesota Vikings(frora Miami Gandy. They traded their Cleveland for Browns center Jeff Faine and Cleveland's up. “He'slightningon the field. Obviously we're excited to havehim just as the fans are,” Saints general manager Mick- ROUND 2 RYAN COOK C, 6-foot-7, 327, New Mexico 51st pick, 19th pick of Round 2 trade of left tackle Wayne secondpick, 34th overall, to ‘ALEX BRANDON /Associated Press New Orleans Saints fans Tony Manzella Ill, 6, and his dad Tony La,, cheer at a draft fan fest as Manzella Jr., from River Ri their team picks Reggie Bush on Saturday. Local connections Broncos SIXTH PICK 14TH PICK VERNONDAVIS,Maryland, 6-3 %, JAY CUTLER, Vanderbilt, 254, junior Not quite as big as somestar pros, but has exceptional athleticism and soft hands. Can embarrass defenders in man coverage, and.-has shown a knackforfinding soft spots in zone coverage. Not much of a blocker, but teamswon't be asking him to do muchofthat, anyway. 22ND PICK MANNY LAWSON,North Caiolina State, 6-5, 238 Anotherathletic tweener whose measurables might spell OLB to the right team.A raw but potentially dangerous passrusher. Excellent speed for his size, he has a good closing burst on the QB, and can run down RBs from behind. Solid open-field tackler, which could be handyif he gets moved to OLB. Should be able to make plays on special teams, too. 62 %, 288 | necessary physical | skills to succeed in the NFL, including size, arm strength and * scrambling ability. While he's no Vince Young,heis still a threat to take off and throw on the run. Needsto improve his mechanics, especially with his release. Consistency is also a concern. Will occasionally force a throw. Has becomeslightly overhyped and could be a reach at this spot. But he also could be a gem. A.J. HAWK, Ohio State, | 61,248 Hasall the » MICHAEL HUFF,Texas. 5-11 %4, 198 backer in the draft, An impressive physical speci- Hawkis a complete, sideline-tosideline player. Quick to diagnose a play, he uses superior speed and block-sheddingability to run downtheball carrier. An excellent tackler, he takes good angles and rarely overpursues. Can be disruptive pass. rusher, too. Mostly an outside LB, he has some experience playing inside. Could stand to yadd leg strength. Is quick ina straightline, but loses speed when turning to pursue or cover RBs who canrun routes well. . * Source: SportsIllustrated | Player scouting reports: Associated Press Raiders SEVENTH PICK Topline- Could be neutralized by strong fullbacks. Needsto add bulk to his frame no matter which position he's drafted for. Avoiding blocks is still an issue for him. \ Packers FIFTH PICK men with the speed to play cornerback, but the size and strength to piay safety. NFL teamsare split over where to play him, but regardless, he'll be one ofthe fastestplayers taken. He’s gotexcellent closing speed to makeup for his slow- to-tum hips, andis quick to read plays. Excellent run-stopper. If he plays safety, he might be overmatchedattimes, but will be an asset becauseof his versatility. |