Leinert may not have been happy, but I don't think it was the money that bothered him so much as his ego. Heat? Man, Shaq got old overnight.... Bulls are a team on the rise, and the Heat are on the decline. I still think Heat win series, but so what? Detroit could easily sweep them...
ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz is probably right. In general people in Leinarts position are not too concerned about missing out on a few million. They still are going to be making a nice chunk of change so what is a couple more million. It is almost all about ego and the pride of being selected number 1. Almost all of these guys are top notch football players but are first and foremost competitors. For a college career, especially as high profile as the top draft selections what better way to stake your claim as the top dog than to be selected ahead of others in the draft.
Clearly Leinert made a big mistake in retrospect. Not only did he not go number 1, but USC didn't win the national championship and he didn't win another Heinsman. But he did end up going to a team that might offer him a better chance of success, as they seem to have many more weapons than SF, where he presumably would have ended up last year. Ironically, SF probably wishes he had come out early as well.
All in all, I thought this was a pretty interesting draft. The Texans decision to skip Reggie Bush and go for Mario Williams will be examined for years to come, particularly if one of them is a bust. I thought NO made a dubious decision to draft Bush. They already have a top notch RB. Perhaps they tried to trade down and couldn't get value. Perhaps they had doubts about D'Brck Ferguson being the answer at tackle. Maybe they didn't want send a dubious signal to Dree Brees by drafting a QB. Who knows, but I think Vince Young was the pick for them. Close call though. No doubt Bush will be spectacular, but getting him and Duce enough carries could be a problem. Seems like a lot to spend on a part-time RB. Teams that helped themselves the most? I thought SF added two impact players who should contribute immediately. I liked Philly's draft, adding two potentially outstanding linemen. Arizona clearly got huge value for the pick they used on Leinart. Plus, he fills an obvious, if future, need. Buffalo left people scratching their heads. That seems to be becoming a pattern at what was once a model franchise.
I didn't think NO drafting BUSH was the right thing either... First and foremost it sends the wrong message to deuce who is a top notch RB.... but behind the scenes who knows what goes on.. I mean they cant go YOUNG just having signed rotator cuff boy for 10 mill..but thats how i would have gone if i were GM of N.0.
If I had been NO I honestly would have thought long and hard about drafting Vernon Davis, TE from Maryland. He ran a 4.38 40 and did more bench press reps than D'Brickasahw Ferguson at the combine. The guy is a genetic freak of nature. He can block a DE by himself, particularly the smaller speed rushers and he can run by a cornerback. Just by walking on the field, he gives the defensive coordinator fits. Plus, Dree Brees has shown the ability to get the ball to a tight end. I know TE is not a high value draft psoition traditionally, but this guy could redefine the position.
It is impossible to say he made a mistake. Look, he went to a club that is on the rise. He is close to Los Angeles. He doesn't have to live in a cold weather climate. Arizona may be a much better situation for him now, then if he had been picked high last year and went to a crap team. Right now, he is going to have a good running back, good receivers. Geez, all you clowns think about is the money, loozers.....it is about a long term career, with a team that will do what is necessary to surround a QB with the right talent.
Ooops. They guy's name is Vernon Davis, not Jordan. Vernon Jordan is a political fixer and bigtime Friend of Bill. Maybe I was thinking of Eddie Jordan, Wizards coach.
He could have landed on any team before 10th so he has no idea where he is landing and he surely didnt think he would go tenth and yes he is probably thinking about the millions he lost by not going sooner...it isnt a little difference it is a huge difference..you speak as though you and him had a telephone conversation or something...
This is very hard for me to say, but...I have to agree with ZZZ. :eek: If Leinart can't flourish in AZ with Fitzgerald, Boldin, Edge and the non weather factor, then he might not be the pro that many people though he would be. Still can't believe the Saints didn't make a trade. Either trade the Bush pick (#2) or trade Deuce. They could have landed multiple early round picks for either of them. They still have a bad offensive line, an aging and noticeably slower Joe Horn, and a sub par defense. Having two stud RB's is a nice problem, but only after the other issues are solved.