ESPN Radio’s Eric Kuselias is a frequent object of ridicule around these parts, deservedly so for his knee jerk analysis of professional basketball, if not his excruciating chats with Barry Melrose (NHL fans in the year 2006 are just dying to know who Mr. Mullet ranks higher, Greztky or Lemiuex).
That said, it should be acknowledged that Kuselias pays more than passing attention to the NFL, and as such, has an informed opinion or two. On Tuesday, filling in for Dan Patrick, Kuselias reminded his dozen or so listeners that weren’t watching TV, that the last team to select a running back at number one and win a championship was Green Bay with Paul Hornung (above). That was in the 1957 draft.
While not denying that USC’s Reggie Bush is a singular talent, Kuselias stressed that if the Houston Texans’ pourous offensive line couldn’t protect David Carr, it was pretty hard to imagine them opening holes for Bush.
Much as it pains me to admit it, he’s right. Reggie Bush could be a huge difference maker for a team that has other parts in place (a strong OL in particular). But it’s a massive stretch to project Houston winning 9 games with Bush at RB.
That’s an overly simplistic analysis. Yes, the O-Line needs improvement, but they can’t take a lineman #1 and pass up Bush and hope to be better next year.
Bush also helps with special teams and a big return can turn a whole game.
What they should do is take Bush, deal Davis and Wells for linemen, (if possible) and/or take a lineman with their 2nd and 3rd round picks. With Carr, Bush, and Johnson as offensive weapons, they could be much better next year.
What they don’t need is a QB in Leinert or Young, or a defensive player like Hawk. Do you really think they’d do well to select D’Brickashaw Ferguson at #1?
Not unless they can clone him twice, no.
I don’t think Leinart or Young are the answer either —despite however much hometown sentiment there might be to take the latter.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Texans sought to swap no. 1 for multiple draft choices plus a live body. Perhaps some scenario where they have a shot at Marcus McNeil and Max Jean Giles, Eric Winston, etc. (two of the three). But I don’t think such a move gets Houston to playoffs next year, either. Whether or not they have the patience to turn it around remains to be seen and it’ll be interesting to find out what kind role Dan Reeves will play, if any, in the decision making process.
Passing up a chance to take the next Gale Sayers seems kinda crazy, I understand, but I did think the factoid that Kuselias cited (ie. no number 1 overall pick at RB winning a title since Hornung) hangs over this discussion in a big way.
i think any team with as many holes as the texans need to deal that pick for as many bodies/rights to bodies as they can get. if they can get multiple picks and not slide too far down in the draft they could go a long way in improving the team. firing dom capers is a good start. dealing the bush pick for multiple #1’s and additional picks this year would be a nice second step.
No way can Houston pass on Reggie. He’s too good. Fix the O-Line with the 2nd pick, 3rd, 4th ect… or with Free agentcy. He’s the #1 back out there and I don’t think Lorenzo can play up to the Texans style. That’s what Dominique and Wells are there for. Reggie provides the explosion and play action Houston needs. With that said Carr should get it done with Andre, Bradford and Gafney. Take’m, get rid of Capers (which they already done) and move over Indy here comes Houston.