john h said:
I think it is almost even money that Bush/Leinhart or Leinhart/Bush go 1-2 in the draft barring any injury. This seems like a no brainer.
I was actually thinking of starting a thread on that very topic. While I think that Bush will be the best player in not only this years draft but even possibly the last five drafts, I could definitely see a scenario where he goes third.
With QB being the most important position on every team and a remarkable inability for 20 out of the 32 teams to not be happy with their play under center every year, it is no wonder that a QB has been the first pick every year for like the last six years. I think people are going to find out that Alex Smith was not the best choice at #1 when its all said and done, but the position is so important that the players are overrated. I think this was the case with numerous guys like Smith, Couch, and even David Carr (although I’m not sure he is completely hopeless)
I don’t see this to be the case with Lienert. I think he will be the number one pick and rightfully so. I don’t care if the Texans, 9ers, or whomever has that initial pick, they will follow suit and do the smart thing and trade the pick for the team most desperate for a franchise QB. Like I keep saying, I think the Raiders will be picking top 5 and either one of those teams could use D’brickshaw or Bush and end up getting another first rounder out of it. Al Davis, with his love of Heisman winners and USC, will salivate at having Matt behind his high power offense. Miami, Cleveland, Baltimore, Detroit, Tampa Bay, NY Jets, and even our beloved AZ Cardinals also would be asinine not to find out what the cost will be. So I definitely see Lienert going one.
Where I see Bush dropping another spot is for two reasons. Now it will be a lot harder to project who goes #2 due to the variety of factors. But lets say a QB starved team has the number one pick. Then all those other teams might be jockeying for number two and a shot at Vince Young. I am surprised the swell for this guy has been slow in gaining momentum, but he seems like a smarter better passing Vick to me (at least when Vick was at VT) Remember how Vick mania went off the charts after he almost single handedly took down FSU in the title game? Well I would bet my first born that Texas will not lose another game and depending on how the BCS ends up shaking out, that would put them in the title game against SC. Anyone recall the last time Young had a national stage like that. Suffice to say he did pretty well and I’m not sure SC has had to deal with a player quite like him. I would say that even though SC will smack down UT (and I actually think the talent is comparable. But Mack Brown against Pete Carroll…..You can’t see me right now but I’m rolling my eyes. This ain’t Lloyd Carr, Mack) Young could have a HUGE game.
So then he goes to the combine and shows off that projected sub 4.3 speed and its all over. Some team will become enamored (to be honest I need to see more before I make a decision on his pro prospects) and take him number two. I coincide this with the fact that although unfair, Bush will be nitpicked and people tend to forget the season once the evaluation time comes up. I think Caddy is a poor man’s Bush, and look how many people worried he would be unable to carry a full load (someone should have sent Gruden that memo)….He even had a player in the SAME backfield come out before him, even though Tubberville always lauded Caddy more, he got the goal line carries, and had better production numbers. I just don’t understand NFL evaluation sometimes. So I was not shocked at all when Caddy came out and out played Brown. I think Brown will be good but I have always thought Caddy was special.
This might be a little far off but I could actually see the same thing happening this year as well (although I strongly doubt it). Imagine if Lendale White declares and runs a 4.3 something (its possible, dude is fast)..Everyone will be so enamored with his size AND speed he will be highly coveted.
So it could go like this:
1. Lienert
2. Young
3. White
4. Bush
But this is more accurate to me:
1. Bush
2. Lienert
3. Young
4. White
We will see because the draft is a long way off and things do change. But if I look at recent history I think the Cardinals could be in a damn fine spot with that # 3 pick. They can trade up if they are convinced of Lienert or choose between the left overs of Bush and Young. Not bad at all. I think Denny will get a more experienced QB (im hoping he does not give Jeff George a call….) and stick with his BPA and draft Bush…and that would make me and Cardinal fans ecstatic for years to come……..