The Spectrum

Issue date: 3/2/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: AP Photo/Darron Cummings Bush dominated his college peers but the NFL is a different story: can he?

Every year, usually two weeks after the Superbowl, the NFL invites all eligible draftees to the RCA Dome for the NFL Combine where they show off their stuff to the scouts. They undergo a series of physical tests, measurements and even a 12-minute intelligence test called "The Wonderlic." But nowadays, who pays attention to anything other than the physical aspect of the game? After all, the test doesn't exactly prove too much, considering Brian Griese got a 41 out of 50 while Dan Marino only got an 18 out of 50.

Even though schools like Notre Dame, Texas, USC and other college programs that produce solid NFL players hold their own "Pro Day" for scouts to come check out their talent, most players from those schools participate in the combine anyway. And go figure, the projected top 3 are from two of those schools. With more Texas and USC prospects rounding out the top 10, this draft is sure to be full of exciting young players.

Any casual college football fan probably only watched one game this year in its entirety: the Rose Bowl. Even NFL fans tuned in to catch this game because the future stars of the NFL were on showcase, up against each other. They saw Matt Leinart show how calm, cool and collected he is under pressure. They witnessed Vince Young take over and dominate games. They were amazed by the two-headed running monster comprised of Reggie Bush and LenDale White, but how they'll handle the big stage remains to be seen.

The most likely destination for Reggie Bush is Houston, which holds the first pick. The Texans were in "Bush Mode" since about week 3, and it worked, so why is it not definite that Reggie will be a Texan? Well, while speaking to reporters at the combine, members of the Houston front office said they have not ruled out trading the first pick and will look into the different possibilities. Wait… what? Since when can the Houston Texans afford to trade away the first pick in the draft? Well I know one person who would be thrilled if they do indeed trade it away: Reggie Bush. But no matter where Reggie Bush ends up, he'll be sure to improve his team and impress the fans.

Bush's buddy Matt Leinart is expected to be the first quarterback taken, and second overall. People question the strength of his arm, but no one questions his football IQ. Will that be enough to lead him to a successful NFL career? Most people, including myself, think it will. You can look at Leinart's individual stats all you want, but the most impressive stat to me is this: three seasons, two national titles and only two losses by a combined six points. All Leinart knows how to do is win. He did it at USC, the biggest college market, so he shouldn't buckle under the NFL pressure in New Orleans or Tennessee. Sure, he had Bush and White at USC, but his smarts and talent will carry him to great heights in the NFL.

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