Tweet
Q: Many analysts questioned the Houston Texans' decision to bypass Reggie Bush and select North Carolina State DE Mario Williams No. 1 overall, with Todd McShay calling it a "mistake of epic proportions." Should Houston have selected Bush?
Green: Reggie Bush was the No. 1 player in this draft, period. Bush can change the game and open the field up for everyone. Mario Williams is a very good pass rusher, but he is not going to change games. He might improve the defense, but you certainly could say the same for Bush on offense. Not only is he a great player, but he makes David Carr a better QB, and opens up the field for WRs Andre Johnson and Eric Moulds. The Texans had to explore the option of trading down -- once it became clear that Williams was their guy they worked the phones, but they could not find any takers. Due to the compensation, it is very hard for teams to trade out of that No. 1 slot.
McShay: At the end of the day, the Texans can't possibly believe that Williams is a better talent -- or even an equal -- to Bush. Williams possesses wonderful potential, but he is far from complete at this point. He plays too high at times, and he seems to lack ideal natural football instincts. Williams' inconsistency at the collegiate level also is somewhat alarming -- he notched 13.5 sacks in the final seven games of the 2005 season after recording only one sack in the first five outings.
A special talent like Bush does not come along very often. When blessed with the opportunity to obtain such a franchise-changing talent, passing simply cannot be an option. You pay the extra money, endure the additional hardship and modify existing schemes in order to make it work. You don't pass on Michael Jordan simply because Sam Bowie fits a bigger need -- just ask the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers.
Q: Was there any doubt the New Orleans Saints would choose Bush, after seeing the Texans take Williams No. 1 overall?
Green: This was strictly a value pick by the Saints. There was never a potential discussion about them taking Bush before the draft because everyone assumed he would be off the board. But then this became a no-brainer. Bush's addition to go along with Deuce McAlister and Michael Bennett give the Saints the deepest RB unit in the NFL. Look for Bush to play a major role early in the season as a runner and return man.
McAlister may not be ready to go full speed in training camp after coming off an ACL injury, and return man Michael Lewis is also coming off an ACL injury. This means Bush will have an immediate impact. Look for the Saints to bring Bush along quickly. He is not going to be a 25-plus-carry-per-game guy, but they would like to get him 15-20 touches each week as a runner, receiver and return man. Of all the players selected in this first round, Bush will have the opportunity to have the quickest impact. This was a great pick for the Saints and you have to give them a lot of credit for staying true to their rankings and not selecting a need over the best player in the draft.
Q: Considering that Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow coached Leinart at USC, was it a mistake for Tennessee to take Texas' Vince Young at No. 3, making him the first QB selected?
Green: After a little back and forth between management and the coaching staff, the Titans made their selection. Management wanted Young, so it should be no surprise that he was the choice. In Young, the Titans saw their future. They know he is a little unpolished and will need some to time to develop, but they love his upside. They get the most explosive athlete and player in the draft, one who will eventually be able to beat team with his arms as well as with his feet.
So how long until he is ready? Most NFL experts will tell you he is a good two years away. He needs to learn to play from under center and the team may try to work with him a little on his awkward release. Physically, Young is as ready to play as he ever will be. It is the mental side that will determine how quickly he can get on the field. The best way to sum this pick up is that it is a boom or bust selection. Leinart would have been the safer pick, but Young has more upside.
Q: OK, so another Leinart question -- why would the New York Jets pass on a Heisman-winning QB in favor of Virginia tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson?
Green: The Jets went against public perception when they selected Ferguson over Leinart. However, it is hard to fault the Jets. They have more needs than any team selecting this weekend. Ferguson is the safest pick. He is an excellent LT athlete and will immediately move in to the starting lineup. Athletically Ferguson will match up now with some of the top speed rushers in the league.
In terms of physical strength, he will need to make strides. He is not very strong in his upper or lower body and will have trouble with defensive ends that can bull rush him. This was an excellent pick for the Jets. He is an excellent player, fills a need and the Jets can now grab a QB they like at the bottom of the first or top of the second round.
Q: There was late speculation that the Green Bay Packers would provide another weapon for QB Brett Favre by selecting Maryland tight end Vernon Davis. Instead, Green Bay went with the expected pick in linebacker A.J. Hawk of Ohio State. Was defense the right choice?
Green: The Packers were able to pull of one of the best smokescreens of the draft. When Favre decided to return, the thought was that they would select Davis. The Packers stuck to their plan, though, and were able to upgrade the worst starting LB unit in the NFL. Hawk will now team with young MLB Nick Barnett and give Green Bay two athletic LBs that can run and hit. Hawk is a smart, steady player that will have an immediate impact. The Packers will play him on the weak side, cover him and let him run all over the field. Hawk was an excellent pick and because of the nature of his position, has the opportunity to have the biggest impact of any defender be selected all weekend.
Horton: I love Hawk's motor, he is a sideline-to-sideline player and makes highlight plays in the open field. I'm concerned, though, about his ability to take on blocks in the NFL. He'll face bigger linemen in the NFL, and his stack and shed ability will become the most important part of whether he becomes a good or great player. He's is not a particularly physical guy and if I were the Packers, I would protect him as much as possible and let him play in space.
Q: Can Davis have an immediate impact as an offensive target for San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Lewis, the No. 1 pick of the 2005 draft?
Green: The answer is yes. In recent days the 49ers were concerned they were going to lose the man they have coveted from day one. When the Packers passed on Davis, there was a huge sigh of relief in the 49ers' draft room. Davis is the type of player and athlete that can make an immediate difference. San Francisco Coach Mike Nolan was with Baltimore when the Ravens drafted a young TE named Todd Heap. Like Heap, Davis will be a nice outlet receiver and security blanket for Smith, who is still in the developmental stages. This was the best selection the 49ers could make. Davis will have to compete with Eric Johnson early on for playing time, but he is far too athletic to keep off the field. Look for him to push RB Reggie Bush for offensive rookie-of-the-year honors.
Q: Some had projected that, with Aaron Brooks at QB, the Oakland Raiders might be in the running for Leinart at No. 7. Were they justified in taking Texas CB Michael Huff instead?
Green: I think Huff was the "safe" pick. He is a steady defensive safety. He is not a real explosive type of playmaker and he is a little on the smaller side for a safety, but he is smart, can get them lined up and will make his share of plays in the passing game. I think the Raiders are happy with this pick.
Q: Ohio State had two defensive players selected among the top eight picks. Many expected the Packers to take Hawk at No. 5, but what about safety Donte Whitner going to the Buffalo Bills at No. 8?
Green: That was the first "wow" of the day -- Donte Whitner at No. 8? Wow! I like Whitner and think he has a chance to be a good player, but you have to move back to make that pick. He is a guy they could have gotten a lot later.
Horton: It's been a very interesting first round. Clearly the biggest reach right now seems to be Buffalo taking Whitner from Ohio State. Our sources told us Denver was trying to trade up to No. 8 to acquire Leinart or Jay Cutler, and Buffalo could have traded back to No. 15 and still taken Whitner at 8. That trade doesn't make a lot of sense.
Q: The Detroit Lions also passed on Leinart, opting for Florida State outside linebacker Ernie Sims. For a team that selected wide receivers in the first round of the past three drafts, was defense (finally) the right choice?
Green: This was a great pick by the Lions. This guy is one of the best leaders and hitters in this draft. Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has called him the best LB he coached since Derrick Brooks. I think that got Lions coach Rod Marinelli's attention. He is an every down player in that cover-2 scheme. He is a playmaker.
Kidd: Ernie Sims should have a major impact on the Lions defense in his first year. Defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson will design different schemes that will allow him to make a lot of impact plays in the Lions' defensive front seven. The only drawback would be a lengthy holdout in training camp.
Green: Reggie Bush was the No. 1 player in this draft, period. Bush can change the game and open the field up for everyone. Mario Williams is a very good pass rusher, but he is not going to change games. He might improve the defense, but you certainly could say the same for Bush on offense. Not only is he a great player, but he makes David Carr a better QB, and opens up the field for WRs Andre Johnson and Eric Moulds. The Texans had to explore the option of trading down -- once it became clear that Williams was their guy they worked the phones, but they could not find any takers. Due to the compensation, it is very hard for teams to trade out of that No. 1 slot.
McShay: At the end of the day, the Texans can't possibly believe that Williams is a better talent -- or even an equal -- to Bush. Williams possesses wonderful potential, but he is far from complete at this point. He plays too high at times, and he seems to lack ideal natural football instincts. Williams' inconsistency at the collegiate level also is somewhat alarming -- he notched 13.5 sacks in the final seven games of the 2005 season after recording only one sack in the first five outings.
A special talent like Bush does not come along very often. When blessed with the opportunity to obtain such a franchise-changing talent, passing simply cannot be an option. You pay the extra money, endure the additional hardship and modify existing schemes in order to make it work. You don't pass on Michael Jordan simply because Sam Bowie fits a bigger need -- just ask the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers.
Q: Was there any doubt the New Orleans Saints would choose Bush, after seeing the Texans take Williams No. 1 overall?
Green: This was strictly a value pick by the Saints. There was never a potential discussion about them taking Bush before the draft because everyone assumed he would be off the board. But then this became a no-brainer. Bush's addition to go along with Deuce McAlister and Michael Bennett give the Saints the deepest RB unit in the NFL. Look for Bush to play a major role early in the season as a runner and return man.
McAlister may not be ready to go full speed in training camp after coming off an ACL injury, and return man Michael Lewis is also coming off an ACL injury. This means Bush will have an immediate impact. Look for the Saints to bring Bush along quickly. He is not going to be a 25-plus-carry-per-game guy, but they would like to get him 15-20 touches each week as a runner, receiver and return man. Of all the players selected in this first round, Bush will have the opportunity to have the quickest impact. This was a great pick for the Saints and you have to give them a lot of credit for staying true to their rankings and not selecting a need over the best player in the draft.
Q: Considering that Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow coached Leinart at USC, was it a mistake for Tennessee to take Texas' Vince Young at No. 3, making him the first QB selected?
Green: After a little back and forth between management and the coaching staff, the Titans made their selection. Management wanted Young, so it should be no surprise that he was the choice. In Young, the Titans saw their future. They know he is a little unpolished and will need some to time to develop, but they love his upside. They get the most explosive athlete and player in the draft, one who will eventually be able to beat team with his arms as well as with his feet.
So how long until he is ready? Most NFL experts will tell you he is a good two years away. He needs to learn to play from under center and the team may try to work with him a little on his awkward release. Physically, Young is as ready to play as he ever will be. It is the mental side that will determine how quickly he can get on the field. The best way to sum this pick up is that it is a boom or bust selection. Leinart would have been the safer pick, but Young has more upside.
Q: OK, so another Leinart question -- why would the New York Jets pass on a Heisman-winning QB in favor of Virginia tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson?
Green: The Jets went against public perception when they selected Ferguson over Leinart. However, it is hard to fault the Jets. They have more needs than any team selecting this weekend. Ferguson is the safest pick. He is an excellent LT athlete and will immediately move in to the starting lineup. Athletically Ferguson will match up now with some of the top speed rushers in the league.
In terms of physical strength, he will need to make strides. He is not very strong in his upper or lower body and will have trouble with defensive ends that can bull rush him. This was an excellent pick for the Jets. He is an excellent player, fills a need and the Jets can now grab a QB they like at the bottom of the first or top of the second round.
Q: There was late speculation that the Green Bay Packers would provide another weapon for QB Brett Favre by selecting Maryland tight end Vernon Davis. Instead, Green Bay went with the expected pick in linebacker A.J. Hawk of Ohio State. Was defense the right choice?
Green: The Packers were able to pull of one of the best smokescreens of the draft. When Favre decided to return, the thought was that they would select Davis. The Packers stuck to their plan, though, and were able to upgrade the worst starting LB unit in the NFL. Hawk will now team with young MLB Nick Barnett and give Green Bay two athletic LBs that can run and hit. Hawk is a smart, steady player that will have an immediate impact. The Packers will play him on the weak side, cover him and let him run all over the field. Hawk was an excellent pick and because of the nature of his position, has the opportunity to have the biggest impact of any defender be selected all weekend.
Horton: I love Hawk's motor, he is a sideline-to-sideline player and makes highlight plays in the open field. I'm concerned, though, about his ability to take on blocks in the NFL. He'll face bigger linemen in the NFL, and his stack and shed ability will become the most important part of whether he becomes a good or great player. He's is not a particularly physical guy and if I were the Packers, I would protect him as much as possible and let him play in space.
Q: Can Davis have an immediate impact as an offensive target for San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Lewis, the No. 1 pick of the 2005 draft?
Green: The answer is yes. In recent days the 49ers were concerned they were going to lose the man they have coveted from day one. When the Packers passed on Davis, there was a huge sigh of relief in the 49ers' draft room. Davis is the type of player and athlete that can make an immediate difference. San Francisco Coach Mike Nolan was with Baltimore when the Ravens drafted a young TE named Todd Heap. Like Heap, Davis will be a nice outlet receiver and security blanket for Smith, who is still in the developmental stages. This was the best selection the 49ers could make. Davis will have to compete with Eric Johnson early on for playing time, but he is far too athletic to keep off the field. Look for him to push RB Reggie Bush for offensive rookie-of-the-year honors.
Q: Some had projected that, with Aaron Brooks at QB, the Oakland Raiders might be in the running for Leinart at No. 7. Were they justified in taking Texas CB Michael Huff instead?
Green: I think Huff was the "safe" pick. He is a steady defensive safety. He is not a real explosive type of playmaker and he is a little on the smaller side for a safety, but he is smart, can get them lined up and will make his share of plays in the passing game. I think the Raiders are happy with this pick.
Q: Ohio State had two defensive players selected among the top eight picks. Many expected the Packers to take Hawk at No. 5, but what about safety Donte Whitner going to the Buffalo Bills at No. 8?
Green: That was the first "wow" of the day -- Donte Whitner at No. 8? Wow! I like Whitner and think he has a chance to be a good player, but you have to move back to make that pick. He is a guy they could have gotten a lot later.
Horton: It's been a very interesting first round. Clearly the biggest reach right now seems to be Buffalo taking Whitner from Ohio State. Our sources told us Denver was trying to trade up to No. 8 to acquire Leinart or Jay Cutler, and Buffalo could have traded back to No. 15 and still taken Whitner at 8. That trade doesn't make a lot of sense.
Q: The Detroit Lions also passed on Leinart, opting for Florida State outside linebacker Ernie Sims. For a team that selected wide receivers in the first round of the past three drafts, was defense (finally) the right choice?
Green: This was a great pick by the Lions. This guy is one of the best leaders and hitters in this draft. Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has called him the best LB he coached since Derrick Brooks. I think that got Lions coach Rod Marinelli's attention. He is an every down player in that cover-2 scheme. He is a playmaker.
Kidd: Ernie Sims should have a major impact on the Lions defense in his first year. Defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson will design different schemes that will allow him to make a lot of impact plays in the Lions' defensive front seven. The only drawback would be a lengthy holdout in training camp.
Comment