The mood in Houston and more specifically, Reliant Stadium,
matched the weather in south Texas this morning; overcast, wet, and dreary.
However the fans still came out to the Texans Draft Day Party in great numbers
to support their team, or express their disdain for who they believed deserved
the number one draft pick.
Fans stared at the monitors to watch pre-draft coverage,
hoping for news of a possible trade or that the Texans were only kidding and
really were going to take Reggie Bush with the first pick. Whenever team owner
Bob McNair or general manager Charlie Casserly appeared on screen, a chorus of
boos would erupt from frustrated fans.
Vince Young fans and now Reggie Bush fans were highly
disappointed in the Texans opting to pass over both players to draft North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams. Williams was signed to a 6 year,
$54 million dollar contract that includes $26.5 million dollars in guaranteed
money over the next two years.
As the number one selection of Williams by the Texans was
announced by Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, groans escaped some fans, while others
are confident in the choice the Texans made.
Williams (6-6, 291) was arguably the most effective pass
rusher available in the draft. While attending college at North Carolina State,
Williams set the career record with 55.5 stops for losses of 237 yards. He also
recorded 27.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage in 2005 and was elected Team
MVP.
The Texans used the first pick of the 2006 NFL Draft on a
defensive end to help the team transition to a 4-3 defense. The Texans have
made two other DE signings during Free Agency in Anthony Walker from the Ravens
and N. D. Kalu from Philadelphia.
Many fans are stunned and outraged that the Texans could
pass on a player the caliber of Bush, but not all. There were obvious fans of
the Texans choice throughout the Draft Party. Some held signs showing support
of Williams and many cheered the team as the selection was made.
Many fans are focusing their dissatisfaction on McNair and
Casserly, who is believed to have been behind the choice to pass on Bush and
select Williams. It is unclear who to blame at this point, but blame may be too
strong a reaction this early. Williams is a definite athlete and I am certainly
waiting to see his performance, and if he earned the number one pick. I’m sure
I’m not the only one who expects a long term, injury free, dominating
performance reminiscent of Reggie White or Howie Long. Those may be high
expectations, but the same is what was expected from our previous pick of Reggie
Bush.