http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...t/3836526.html
Reality is, Texans helped themselves during draft
By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Now that we're beyond the emotional responses that were so hysterical they were laughable, let's examine the reasoning behind the Texans' decision to draft defensive end Mario Williams over running back Reggie Bush.
First of all, let's reiterate that our first two choices were Vince Young and Bush, but that being said, it's clear to anyone who knows anything about the NFL that the Texans had a terrific draft on paper.
No one can accurately judge this draft until several years down the road, and anyone who pretends he can is a charlatan.
The Texans bypassed Bush and Young, the two most exciting prospects in the draft, so get over it. It's not like they settled for some stiff. All the insults and complaints won't change a thing.
It's difficult to argue against coach Gary Kubiak's philosophy of getting the quarterback and protecting the quarterback and of building from the inside out. If you take the emotion out of the draft, here's what the Texans produced: Three of their first four choices — Williams, linebacker DeMeco Ryans and offensive tackle Eric Winston — were first-round projections in many mock drafts.
The first pick in the third round, offensive tackle Charles Spencer, played the position for the first time last season. The Texans thought that over the second half of the season, he was the nation's best left tackle not named D'Brickashaw.
Value at need areas
Even if you were a die-hard backer of Young or Bush, how can you be disappointed with Williams, Ryans, Spencer and Winston in the first three rounds? Look at how they've upgraded their pass rush and pass protection.
There's no denying that Bush is a prospect for the ages. No matter how hard they try, the Texans will never convince us that Bush's off-the-field issues had nothing to do with their decision to cut off negotiations late last week and focus on Williams.
At this stage of his career, Williams has been compared to defensive ends such as Julius Peppers, Reggie White and Bruce Smith. Preposterous, you say?
Well, look back at the scouting reports, not what they accomplished in the NFL.
Smith was the top pick in the 1985 draft, selected by Buffalo despite his reputation for taking plays off, just like Williams. Also like Williams, Smith was incredibly talented.
As a rookie, Smith was notorious around the league for disappearing acts. But as Smith matured, he became a dominating and disruptive force and will be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
As a junior last season, Williams, 20, played uninspired games against Georgia Tech and Clemson and didn't start the next game against Wake Forest. He responded to the demotion by coming off the bench for 3 1/2 sacks and three tackles for loss.
Back in the starting lineup a week later, Williams went on a tear that led to him being the first pick in the draft. He finished with 14 1/2 sacks and 27 1/2 tackles for loss and elected to leave the Wolfpack after his junior year.
Plenty of upside
There's a lot to like about Williams. For instance, his North Carolina State teammates voted him the team award for integrity and sportsmanship.
By now, you know that Williams is 6-7, 295 and put on quite a show at the combine by running a 4.70 in the 40-yard dash, benching 225 pounds 35 times and having a vertical leap of 40 1/2 inches.
What impresses scouts even more is that he's so explosive off the ball. His 10-yard shuttle at the combine was 1.60 seconds.
No other end or tackle came close. By comparison, outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, selected in the first round by Cleveland, also had a 1.60. And he's 6-4, 248.
In other words, Williams explodes off the ball, which allows him to penetrate and beat double-team blocks.
Like Bush, Williams has what no one can coach: rare, God-given ability. No matter what you think about the Texans' decision, even the team's harshest critics must admit that it's going to be fun following these careers.
Texans had a pretty darn good draft
Texans had a pretty darn good draft
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