Hail to the Bush!

[achtungbaby]

By RALPH D. RUSSO, AP Sports Writer
December 10, 2005

NEW YORK (AP) -- Reggie Bush took slow, deliberate steps to the podium -- a gear most people didn't know he had.

Then he began his acceptance speech with a huge sigh of relief and a hand over his heart.

Bush may have been the only one in the packed room with any doubt about who would win the Heisman Trophy because once again, the sensational Southern California tailback left the competition far, far behind.

Bush was voted the nation's best college football player in a landslide Saturday night over Texas quarterback Vince Young and USC quarterback Matt Leinart, last year's winner.

Flashing uncanny acceleration and ability to change direction, the junior has conjured up memories of Gale Sayers, drawn comparisons to Marshall Faulk, Barry Sanders and Tony Dorsett, and is the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in April's NFL draft.

"Oh man, this is amazing," Bush said, a row of former winners lining the stage behind him. "It's truly an honor to be elected to this fraternity. I've been in college for three years and it's the first time I've been invited into a fraternity."

Bush received 2,541 points to finish 933 points ahead of Young, with Leinart a distant third. Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn was fourth.

The 784 first-place votes received by Bush was the second-most in Heisman history, topped only by another famous USC runner -- O.J. Simpson, who had 855 in 1968. Bush was first in all six regions and appeared on 99 percent of the ballots, also a Heisman record.

"I was in shock because Vince Young and Matt are such great players," Bush said.

Bush and Leinart will be the first Heisman winners to play in a college game together when USC goes for a third straight national title against Texas in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 4.

"It's a special opportunity," Bush said. "It'd be even more special if we win this game."

Bush and Leinart are the third teammates to win the award in consecutive seasons and the first since Army's Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis did it in 1945-46.

When Bush's name was called, he bent over in his chair, clasped his hands and slowly headed for the podium after hugging his mother, stepfather and brother.

Dressed in a three-piece pinstriped suit, Bush choked back tears while thanking his family "for their unconditional love and support throughout my life."

This year's Heisman race appeared tight for much of the season, with Bush making a big statement in mid-October against Notre Dame. He ran for 160 yards and three touchdowns in South Bend, and provided the final push Leinart needed to score the winning TD in the closing seconds of a classic 34-31 victory.

But Bush was relatively low-key after the Notre Dame game and Young seemed to have pulled ahead, with talk that two candidates from USC would cancel each other out.

That was until Nov. 19, when Bush left Fresno State repeatedly grasping at air and onlookers grasping for superlatives to describe a performance that had to be seen to be truly appreciated.

He ran for 295 yards, racked up 513 all-purpose yards -- the second-highest total in NCAA history -- and USC escaped with a 50-42 victory.

If there was still any doubt Bush was best, he dispelled it against UCLA, running for 260 yards and two touchdowns in a 66-19 victory. Only the lopsided score kept Bush from doing even more damage.

Asked for a Heisman moment from the season, Bush said, "I don't think I can pick one."

Of course not. He's already ripped off 36 plays of at least 20 yards this season.

As the Trojans completed another perfect regular season, it seemed a foregone conclusion Bush would become the fifth USC tailback to win the Heisman, following Mike Garrett, Simpson, Charles White and Marcus Allen.

The 200-pounder from Spring Valley, Calif., just outside of San Diego, ran for 1,658 yards this season, a dizzying average of 8.9 yards per carry, while leading the nation in all-purpose yards with 217.9 per game.

USC now has produced seven Heisman winners, matching the record held by Notre Dame, and an unprecedented three in four years, starting with quarterback Carson Palmer in 2002.

Now Bush will have to make the kind of decision Leinart did last season: Stay in school or go.

Leinart surprised many by returning to USC for his senior year when he could have entered the NFL draft and become an instant millionaire.

"Matt, what more can I say?" Bush said. "Your decision to come back has changed my life."

By staying, Leinart made a run at joining Ohio State's Archie Griffin as the only other two-time Heisman winner, and helped USC extend its winning streak to 34 straight games, heading into the Rose Bowl.

Leinart said he voted for Bush first, Young second and left his third-place vote blank.

"I knew I was going to get third," Leinart said. "I wanted to go on stage as a past winner because I knew I wasn't going to win. The right guy won."

Bush has said he'll decide about the NFL after the BCS title game.

Young, also a junior, appears to have a bright NFL future, though he isn't quite the can't-miss prospect Bush and Leinart have been labeled.

Young said he intends to stay at Texas for another year -- and perhaps another shot at the Heisman.

"Right now, I feel like I let my guys down," Young said. "Right now, I feel like I let my family down."

Bush's career has been in a steady ascent since he arrived at USC. He rushed for 537 yards as a freshman and 908 as a sophomore, when he finished fifth in the Heisman voting.

Heading into the 2005 season, Bush was determined to show he was more than just a scatback with fancy moves. He worked out with San Diego Chargers star LaDainian Tomlinson, harder than he's ever worked before.

He returned to school bigger and stronger and, on a team filled with All-Americans, became the No. 1 attraction in the nation.

[yoMAMA]

number one pick?

[haplesshobo]

It depends on which team is picking, and what their needs are.

If Matt Leinhart had come out last year, he would have been the first pick and gotten first pick money. But, by coming back to play college football, he could lose millions of dollars if he's no longer the first pick.

Most likely, its the Texans that end up with the worst record and get the first pick.

But, there are so many questions about the team that its hard to really know what they end up doing.

They already have a former number one pick as their QB, David Carr.
And, they already have a running back in Dominick Davis, who's actually a good RB but doesn't get the recongition because he's on such a lousy team.

David Carr is due for a big roster bonus, and I can see the Texans finally cutting him with the way he's struggled.

But, at the same time, there's so many holes on that team, esp. with their O line, that you can't blame Carr for all their problems.

The Texans might just end up trading away their pick, assuming they get the first one, for a king's ransom. So many teams covet Reggie Bush, that I could see some desperate team giving the Texans a lot of draft picks for Bush.

[yoMAMA]

It depends on which team is picking, and what their needs are.

If Matt Leinhart had come out last year, he would have been the first pick and gotten first pick money. But, by coming back to play college football, he could lose millions of dollars if he's no longer the first pick.

Most likely, its the Texans that end up with the worst record and get the first pick.

But, there are so many questions about the team that its hard to really know what they end up doing.

They already have a former number one pick as their QB, David Carr.
And, they already have a running back in Dominick Davis, who's actually a good RB but doesn't get the recongition because he's on such a lousy team.

David Carr is due for a big roster bonus, and I can see the Texans finally cutting him with the way he's struggled.

But, at the same time, there's so many holes on that team, esp. with their O line, that you can't blame Carr for all their problems.

The Texans might just end up trading away their pick, assuming they get the first one, for a king's ransom. So many teams covet Reggie Bush, that I could see some desperate team giving the Texans a lot of draft picks for Bush.

Leinart is surrounded by talent at USC, on both sides of the ball.

he isnt as physically gifted to justify a #1 pick.

[Faithless]

So, how much did Reggie Bush bulk-up in the off season?

And is anybody saying he looks like he was on 'roids?

[AznTrojan]

fight on! :biggrin:

[achtungbaby]

number one pick?
I can easily see Leinart being taken as number one by a team who needs a QB. You don't have to be physically gifted to be the best overall value pick for your team. He's got his brain. Norm Chow once said that he had the perfect brain for a QB.

[lethal]

Bush will go #1. He's going to be a great back and neither Houston of SF (the likely #1 and #2 teams in some order) need a QB. Both teams really do need a lot of help though and probably should trade down.

Leinart going #2 (I can see the Jets or Saints trading up for him) is not going to cost him any money. He'll still get as much money as he would've gotten last year as the #1 pick with the yearly increase in salaries NFL draft picks get. Plus, he doesn't have to play for those hapless 49ers.

[jcdenton]

For the article to label Bush's victory as a "landslide" is a bit misleading. The margin of victory (933 points) ranked 17th of all time. And as a percentage of the total points it ranked even lower, since the number of total possible points increases every year.

It was definitely one of the more decisive victories in the history of the Heisman voting, but hardly the unprecedented blowout the media has made it out to be.

[pikachupacabra]

I can easily see Leinart being taken as number one by a team who needs a QB. You don't have to be physically gifted to be the best overall value pick for your team. He's got his brain. Norm Chow once said that he had the perfect brain for a QB.


Exactly. Look at alex smith; he can scramble, but he's definitely not an overwhelmingly...overwhelming physical asset.

[haplesshobo]

Bush will go #1. He's going to be a great back and neither Houston of SF (the likely #1 and #2 teams in some order) need a QB. Both teams really do need a lot of help though and probably should trade down.

Leinart going #2 (I can see the Jets or Saints trading up for him) is not going to cost him any money. He'll still get as much money as he would've gotten last year as the #1 pick with the yearly increase in salaries NFL draft picks get. Plus, he doesn't have to play for those hapless 49ers.

Wow. I hate to say it but Leinart just lost millions of dollars by not coming out last year, when he would have been the number one pick. This year, he ends up being the tenth pick overall. I don't care what the yearly increases to the salary are caue there's no way that that's going to make up the difference between being the first and being the tenth pick. If Alex Smith had been drafted this year, he probably would have been the fourth QB selected in this draft, instead of the overall first pick. That's why you always come out when you know you're going to be a high pick cause you can only go down if you don't.

ESPN is estimating that Leinart is going to be shortchanged 10 million dollars by being the tenth pick this year vs. being the first pick last year. Even after you factor in increases to salary, he's going to probably get a signing bonus between 11.5 to 13.8M from the Cardinals while the top pick last year got a signing bonus for 24M last year.

Once, the Titans passed on him, then it was inevitable that Leinart was going to drop down so low. Some teams didn't need a QB. Others were concerned about his arm strength. The Raiders emphasize the longball, so Leinart wasn't a good fit. And, the Jets were concerned about his arm strenght in a outdoor stadium with swirling winds.

But, I'm surprised that the Titans selected Vince Young over him, especially since Leinhart's Offense Cordinator, Norm Chow, at USC is now the OC with the Titans. I would have thought that would have been a good fit, since Leinart would have already been familiar with the system. Plus, with Steve McNair on his last legs, I would have thought they would have gone with somebody more ready to jump in to play than a project like Vince Young.

So far, a disappointing draft for the USC players who were all expected to go higher.

[yoMAMA]

But, I'm surprised that the Titans selected Vince Young over him, especially since Leinhart's Offense Cordinator, Norm Chow, at USC is now the OC with the Titans. I would have thought that would have been a good fit, since Leinart would have already been familiar with the system. Plus, with Steve McNair on his last legs, I would have thought they would have gone with somebody more ready to jump in to play than a project like Vince Young.

a better fit in college for lineart?

yes.

but vince young has more potential in the pros.

[tommyhtown]

How can the Texans pass on Bush? Gosh, I hope this is not another screwed up of Charlie Casserly, the Texans GM. May be Gary Kubiak, the new coach and formerly of the Broncos, has an idea that he can just churn out good RBs from later rounds like Shannahan did in Denver.

Vince Young as known here in Houston as VY has great potential plus great marketability in the South or at least Texas. The Tennessee Titans used to be the Houston Oilers thus they have a lot of fans from Houston and Texas. Heck, the fans here wanted the Houston Texans to take him as their #1, but resided to accept Bush then the Texans pulled the fast on them and take a DE, Mario Williams. WTF!!!

[haplesshobo]

How can the Texans pass on Bush? Gosh, I hope this is not another screwed up of Charlie Casserly, the Texans GM. May be Gary Kubiak, the new coach and formerly of the Broncos, has an idea that he can just churn out good RBs from later rounds like Shannahan did in Denver.


I don't understand if the Texans weren't going to draft Reggie Bush, why not simply trade down. This way, you still could have picked up the player you wanted, Mario Williams, who would not have otherwise been the first pick, and also pick up some additonal picks to help fill some of the holes the Texans have.

Although, I'm still surprised that the Jets didn't trade up with the Saints to pick Reggie Bush. The Jets need a star in NYC to compete with the Derek Jeters, Pedros, Eli Mannings, etc.. A Reggie Bush would have helped generate buzz and helped to sell seats. And, it would have been better for Reggie Bush as well to be in the biggest media market in terms of his marketing value with corporations that wanted him to endorse their products.

a better fit in college for lineart?

yes.

but vince young has more potential in the pros.

No, I'm referring to the fact that Steve McNair is going to be released or traded by the Titans very soon. And, in that situation, why pass on the most polished, NFL ready QB in the draft, Matt Leinart, for a project like Vince Young who's going to take a few years to develop. The Titans are going to need a QB who can play sooner rather than later in this situation. And, given the cap space such a high pick takes up, teams don't necessairly have the luxury of taking too long to develop such players. Maybe, they sit him out for a season at most before having to start playing him but will that be enough given all his issuses?

There's his whole mechanical technique with his throwing motion, and how he doesn't step into his throws. Is VY going to have to relearn how to throw?

Then, there's the issuse of how he'll adjust to the complexities of the NFL. At Texas, VY was in a option offense and so never had to go through progressions or read defenses. That's the biggest learning curve for QBs making the transition from college to the NFL, processing all that stuff the defense throws at you. Even college QBs who had to go down progressions struggle at how much more difficult and complex NFL defenses are. But, with VY, you're asking somebody who never had to learn how to do it at the college level to now do it at the NFL level while also adjusting to getting the ball under the center.

QBs like Tom Brady or Petyon Manning or Drew Brees who aren't even the most athletic playmakers on the field have succeded because they've mastered the complexities of NFL offesnses and being able to process what the NFL defenses are throwing at them. Ryan Leaf had more potential than Peyton Manning, with a bigger upside, and we all know how they ended up. And, while it is certainly an advantage if the QB can scrammble and rush for yards on the ground, that doesn't make it necessary to make a succesful QB. A good QB only needs to be elusive enough to be able to sidestep the rush.

[lethal]

I don't understand if the Texans weren't going to draft Reggie Bush, why not simply trade down. This way, you still could have picked up the player you wanted, Mario Williams, who would not have otherwise been the first pick, and also pick up some additonal picks to help fill some of the holes the Texans have.

Although, I'm still surprised that the Jets didn't trade up with the Saints to pick Reggie Bush. The Jets need a star in NYC to compete with the Derek Jeters, Pedros, Eli Mannings, etc.. A Reggie Bush would have helped generate buzz and helped to sell seats. And, it would have been better for Reggie Bush as well to be in the biggest media market in terms of his marketing value with corporations that wanted him to endorse their products.

No one wanted to give the Texans enough value for the first pick. If they trade down, there's no guarantee that the guy they want will be available. The Saints weren't moving up, and neither were any of the next 4 or 5 picks. After that, the Texans couldn't get enough value for dropping that low and not getting the player they really wanted or needed.

The Jets might need a star, but what sells tickets in the NFL is winning. The Jets needed massive help on the line. Getting Bush wouldn't help if there's no one to block for him. Lineman take longer to develop than RBs and they have a longer career length. If you have a good line in place, then you can draft a RB later and he'll succeed early on.



No, I'm referring to the fact that Steve McNair is going to be released or traded by the Titans very soon. And, in that situation, why pass on the most polished, NFL ready QB in the draft, Matt Leinart, for a project like Vince Young who's going to take a few years to develop. The Titans are going to need a QB who can play sooner rather than later in this situation. And, given the cap space such a high pick takes up, teams don't necessairly have the luxury of taking too long to develop such players. Maybe, they sit him out for a season at most before having to start playing him but will that be enough given all his issuses?

There's his whole mechanical technique with his throwing motion, and how he doesn't step into his throws. Is VY going to have to relearn how to throw?

Then, there's the issuse of how he'll adjust to the complexities of the NFL. At Texas, VY was in a option offense and so never had to go through progressions or read defenses. That's the biggest learning curve for QBs making the transition from college to the NFL, processing all that stuff the defense throws at you. Even college QBs who had to go down progressions struggle at how much more difficult and complex NFL defenses are. But, with VY, you're asking somebody who never had to learn how to do it at the college level to now do it at the NFL level while also adjusting to getting the ball under the center.

QBs like Tom Brady or Petyon Manning or Drew Brees who aren't even the most athletic playmakers on the field have succeded because they've mastered the complexities of NFL offesnses and being able to process what the NFL defenses are throwing at them. Ryan Leaf had more potential than Peyton Manning, with a bigger upside, and we all know how they ended up. And, while it is certainly an advantage if the QB can scrammble and rush for yards on the ground, that doesn't make it necessary to make a succesful QB. A good QB only needs to be elusive enough to be able to sidestep the rush.

The Titans coaches wanted Leinart and the GM and owner wanted Young. The coaches were looking more short term because their contracts are up in 2 years or so. They need to win sooner and wanted the more polished QB. You and I and everyone else can debate VY's upside (personally I don't think he'll ever be as good as people say he might be. He looks like a stronger Randall Cunningham to me), but the GM and owner obviously thought his long term future was very high. Also, remember the Titans used to be the Houston Oilers. By drafting Houston native Yince Young, this might be Bud Adams' way of sticking it to the city of Houston again.