Michael Bush, could be sidelined for season? (1 Viewer)

[Madscott]

Radiers Insider: Bush's bad break good for Oakland?

By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer

Published 12:00 am PDT Saturday, June 30, 2007

Michael Bush is asked constantly, "Which leg?"

Which leg did he break the first game into what was supposed to be a Heisman Trophy caliber 2006 season at Louisville? Which leg underwent surgery to insert a steel rod in March?

"It's the right leg," Bush answered at the Raiders' last mincamp. "You couldn't tell while I was moving? That's good."

Bush stayed at Louisville in hopes of helping the Cardinals earn an appearance in a Bowl Championship Series game. But Bush suffered the injury early in the third quarter of Louisville's 59-28 season-opening win over Kentucky after rushing for three touchdowns and 124 yards.

Instead of being picked in the first round, as projected before the injury, Bush slipped to the fourth round. And should Bush progress well in his return, the Raiders will have landed one of the nation's best runners for a middle-round draft choice.

Yet, there's no rush to get Bush on the field. Holding him out most of the season is a realistic option. Bush is also prepared not to practice every day once training camp opens if the leg bothers him.

Just don't tell Bush he should accept not playing as a rookie.

"I'm looking to play," Bush said. "It's just a bone injury. Those heal. It's already been about nine months, so it's about time for me to get going."

Bush's size (6-foot-1, 245 pounds) and quick feet would give the Raiders a bruising back they can use in both the running and passing game.

Just don't assume Bush only wants to run and catch the ball.

"If they throw a halfback pass (play) out there that'd be great, too," Bush said.

As a prep, Bush was a quarterback at Male High School in Louisville, tossing 35 touchdown passes as a senior. Bush admits he misses playing quarterback "every now and then, but it's gone now."

If he gets the chance to throw a pass, questions will center on Bush's left arm, not his right leg.

http://www.sacbee.com/raiders/v-print/story/249918.html

 

[PRAE]

 

[Traders2001]

Good , so we can get him deeper in the rookie draft .

Next season he will be the starter for the Raiders guaranteed.

 

[softball]

Not sure this is much of a surprise. They said it was a terrible injury and he had additional surgery in March before the draft.

I think the Raiders made a nice move in getting Rhodes and Bush to prepare for 08'

 

[wannabee]

this is not too big of a surprise. without this serious of an injury, he would not have slipped to the 4th round. in addition, the Raiders have jordan and rhodes for 2007 and expect bush to compete in 2008 with atleast one of the other two gone.

 

[massraider]

He and Jamarcus can play dominos on the sideline till December, as far as I'm concerned.

I doubt the Raiders will IR him before the season, but with jordan and Rhodes, I doubt he gets any reasonable PT this year anyways. in that ZBS, Rhodes could be a nice end of the bench guy, IMO. Jordan is a lazy, undisciplined slug.

 

[KellysHeroes]

No wonder the Falcons weren't interested

 

[No. 16]

I think everyone drafting Bush in rookie drafts knows not to expect anything from him in '07.

Have seen him go as high as #4 and as low as #10 in 4 rookie drafts.

 

[gman8343]

I think everyone drafting Bush in rookie drafts knows not to expect anything from him in '07.Have seen him go as high as #4 and as low as #10 in 4 rookie drafts.

I took him at #5, having Jordan and Rhodes. I'm expecting to wait till '08 before we see anything from him. I love his upside if he can completely recover. Hopeully he takes it slow...

 

[Delusions Of Adequacy]

didn't see anything in the linked story that justified the title of the post.

 

[Traders2001]

didn't see anything in the linked story that justified the title of the post.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx

 

[Mapmaker]

I think everyone drafting Bush in rookie drafts knows not to expect anything from him in '07.Have seen him go as high as #4 and as low as #10 in 4 rookie drafts.

I stole him in my IDP league @ 2.8 - 22 and couldn't be happierI hope the Raiders put him on the PUP to start the season so I can utilize an IR spot for him and use the active roster spot elsewhere!

 

[Balco]

I still don't understand why this pick was lauded by so many "pundits".

The guy broke his leg, and was more TJ Duckett than Jerome Bettis. WOuld have been a mediocre back if he was healthy.

 

[Borat]

Bush is also prepared not to practice every day once training camp opens if the leg bothers him.

Good to see he is prepared to not practice.

 

[Penguin]

Bush is also prepared not to practice every day once training camp opens if the leg bothers him.

Good to see he is prepared to not practice.

I think they meant mentally prepared

 

[Block]

I still don't understand why this pick was lauded by so many "pundits".The guy broke his leg, and was more TJ Duckett than Jerome Bettis. WOuld have been a mediocre back if he was healthy.

Agreed. Other guys can take the guy with a rod in his leg, I'll take someone healthy.

 

[Balco]

I still don't understand why this pick was lauded by so many "pundits".The guy broke his leg, and was more TJ Duckett than Jerome Bettis. WOuld have been a mediocre back if he was healthy.

Agreed. Other guys can take the guy with a rod in his leg, I'll take someone healthy.

The rod just makes matters worse. people were acting like Bush was this can't miss running back prospect when he really was a similar runner to TJ Duckett when he was at Michigan State.

 

[Block]

I still don't understand why this pick was lauded by so many "pundits".The guy broke his leg, and was more TJ Duckett than Jerome Bettis. WOuld have been a mediocre back if he was healthy.

Agreed. Other guys can take the guy with a rod in his leg, I'll take someone healthy.

The rod just makes matters worse. people were acting like Bush was this can't miss running back prospect when he really was a similar runner to TJ Duckett when he was at Michigan State.

Just take a guy from the same school with a similar body type: Eric Shelton.

 

[Penguin]

I still don't understand why this pick was lauded by so many "pundits".The guy broke his leg, and was more TJ Duckett than Jerome Bettis. WOuld have been a mediocre back if he was healthy.

Agreed. Other guys can take the guy with a rod in his leg, I'll take someone healthy.

The rod just makes matters worse. people were acting like Bush was this can't miss running back prospect when he really was a similar runner to TJ Duckett when he was at Michigan State.

Just take a guy from the same school with a similar body type: Eric Shelton.

I believe Bush is far more talented, JMHO

 

[jurb26]

I still don't understand why this pick was lauded by so many "pundits".The guy broke his leg, and was more TJ Duckett than Jerome Bettis. WOuld have been a mediocre back if he was healthy.

Agreed. Other guys can take the guy with a rod in his leg, I'll take someone healthy.

The rod just makes matters worse. people were acting like Bush was this can't miss running back prospect when he really was a similar runner to TJ Duckett when he was at Michigan State.

Just take a guy from the same school with a similar body type: Eric Shelton.

I believe Bush is far more talented, JMHO

No doubt, Bush is far more talented.

 

[RAPTURE]

Michael Bush was a wasted pick by the Raiders.

There have not been many 240+ RB's who have thrived in the NFL ie., J. Bettis & E. Campbell.

RAPTURE

 

[Penguin]

Michael Bush was a wasted pick by the Raiders.There have not been many 240+ RB's who have thrived in the NFL ie., J. Bettis & E. Campbell.RAPTURE

Even if Bush never plays a down in the NFL, missing at pick 100 is not going to set the Raiders back. Half the top 100 probably won't pan out

 

[lions327]

Michael Bush was a wasted pick by the Raiders.There have not been many 240+ RB's who have thrived in the NFL ie., J. Bettis & E. Campbell.RAPTURE

Even if Bush never plays a down in the NFL, missing at pick 100 is not going to set the Raiders back. Half the top 100 probably won't pan out

 

[Balco]

Michael Bush was a wasted pick by the Raiders.There have not been many 240+ RB's who have thrived in the NFL ie., J. Bettis & E. Campbell.RAPTURE

Even if Bush never plays a down in the NFL, missing at pick 100 is not going to set the Raiders back. Half the top 100 probably won't pan out

I hate that statement. How about striving for a player who will pan out. Many starters and many valuable role players can be found in the 4th round or later. This is huge for teams in the salary cap era, as the contracts are small. Bush is not going to play special teams, so his value is limited to running back, at which he is not very good. Just think it was a wasted pick by the Raiders.

 

[gman8343]

Michael Bush was a wasted pick by the Raiders.There have not been many 240+ RB's who have thrived in the NFL ie., J. Bettis & E. Campbell.RAPTURE

Even if Bush never plays a down in the NFL, missing at pick 100 is not going to set the Raiders back. Half the top 100 probably won't pan out

I hate that statement. How about striving for a player who will pan out. Many starters and many valuable role players can be found in the 4th round or later. This is huge for teams in the salary cap era, as the contracts are small. Bush is not going to play special teams, so his value is limited to running back, at which he is not very good. Just think it was a wasted pick by the Raiders.

He was projected as a 1st round talent prior to his injury. You may think he's not very good, but a lot of guys who get paid for a living to scout players obviously disagreed. Whether he comes back full speed is another story.

 

[lions327]

The answer to this is where would he have been drafted if he hadn't been injured? Arguably he could have been a late first round pick. The injuries are a huge red flag, but for only a 4th round pick, it's not all that much. I don't think it was a wasted pick at all.

 

[zamboni]

Seems like a lot of speculation on one mere comment (an opinion, not a direct quote) by the Sacramento Bee beat writer.

 

[Block]

The answer to this is where would he have been drafted if he hadn't been injured? Arguably he could have been a late first round pick. The injuries are a huge red flag, but for only a 4th round pick, it's not all that much. I don't think it was a wasted pick at all.

Similar things were said to rationalize the Broncos drafting of Maurice Clarett.

 

[lions327]

The answer to this is where would he have been drafted if he hadn't been injured? Arguably he could have been a late first round pick. The injuries are a huge red flag, but for only a 4th round pick, it's not all that much. I don't think it was a wasted pick at all.

Similar things were said to rationalize the Broncos drafting of Maurice Clarett.

There are major differences between Clarett and Bush. First, Clarett didn't work hard and many didn't see him being a starting caliber RB, talent wise. Bush is much more of an NFL caliber RB, or at least has the potential to be one. I also don't recall hearing very many people say the Clarett pick was good, because it was a terrible pick. Clarett also did not play for over a year, was out of shape, unmotivated and lazy. Bush has an injury concern, but doesn't have the major character issues Clarett had, and also has more talent in my opinion.

 

[mdog1967]

Michael Bush was a wasted pick by the Raiders.There have not been many 240+ RB's who have thrived in the NFL ie., J. Bettis & E. Campbell.RAPTURE

I agree with you. I only wish I could find an eager taker in my league for Jacobs. Bush like Jacobs is Super Size, I think these big Dudes are stud like when they are used the right way. Asking men this size to carry the ball 20-30 times a game is a silly thing to do. I hope Bush makes a full recovery and has many years in the league as an awsome goal line back. I aint buying the everydown thing. Greg Jones, Tj Duckett and Ron Dayne seem like the type of back bush will turn out to be, rather than Bettis Campbell.

 

[mdog1967]

The answer to this is where would he have been drafted if he hadn't been injured? Arguably he could have been a late first round pick. The injuries are a huge red flag, but for only a 4th round pick, it's not all that much. I don't think it was a wasted pick at all.

Like another post. MEN THIS BIG ARE NOT STARTING RB"S only once in a great while do the Bettes/Campbell/Riggins guys come along. Your more apt to see the Undersized Emmit Smith, Preist Homes guys have success. Bush is a Talent and would have past the laugh test taken in the 2nd round at the earliest. No one, injury or not was going to reach for him in the first.

 

[Block]

The answer to this is where would he have been drafted if he hadn't been injured? Arguably he could have been a late first round pick. The injuries are a huge red flag, but for only a 4th round pick, it's not all that much. I don't think it was a wasted pick at all.

Similar things were said to rationalize the Broncos drafting of Maurice Clarett.

There are major differences between Clarett and Bush. First, Clarett didn't work hard and many didn't see him being a starting caliber RB, talent wise. Bush is much more of an NFL caliber RB, or at least has the potential to be one. I also don't recall hearing very many people say the Clarett pick was good, because it was a terrible pick. Clarett also did not play for over a year, was out of shape, unmotivated and lazy. Bush has an injury concern, but doesn't have the major character issues Clarett had, and also has more talent in my opinion.

When Clarett was picked many people were saying things like "well, if it doesn't work out it was only a late third round pick."

 

[lions327]

The answer to this is where would he have been drafted if he hadn't been injured? Arguably he could have been a late first round pick. The injuries are a huge red flag, but for only a 4th round pick, it's not all that much. I don't think it was a wasted pick at all.

Like another post. MEN THIS BIG ARE NOT STARTING RB"S only once in a great while do the Bettes/Campbell/Riggins guys come along. Your more apt to see the Undersized Emmit Smith, Preist Homes guys have success. Bush is a Talent and would have past the laugh test taken in the 2nd round at the earliest. No one, injury or not was going to reach for him in the first.

How do you know this, besides your obvious bias?

 

[cstu]

The answer to this is where would he have been drafted if he hadn't been injured? Arguably he could have been a late first round pick. The injuries are a huge red flag, but for only a 4th round pick, it's not all that much. I don't think it was a wasted pick at all.

Like another post. MEN THIS BIG ARE NOT STARTING RB"S only once in a great while do the Bettes/Campbell/Riggins guys come along. Your more apt to see the Undersized Emmit Smith, Preist Homes guys have success. Bush is a Talent and would have past the laugh test taken in the 2nd round at the earliest. No one, injury or not was going to reach for him in the first.

Right, and how long has it been for a good big guy to come along? I'm not saying Bush is the next Bettis, but he has the potential. I think a lot of people don't know how talented the guy is - he was Kentucky's Mr. Football in HS as a QB (also played WR, RB, LB, DE, and DB) and then went to college as a RB and lead the nation in scoring.

 

[Balco]

The answer to this is where would he have been drafted if he hadn't been injured? Arguably he could have been a late first round pick. The injuries are a huge red flag, but for only a 4th round pick, it's not all that much. I don't think it was a wasted pick at all.

Like another post. MEN THIS BIG ARE NOT STARTING RB"S only once in a great while do the Bettes/Campbell/Riggins guys come along. Your more apt to see the Undersized Emmit Smith, Preist Homes guys have success. Bush is a Talent and would have past the laugh test taken in the 2nd round at the earliest. No one, injury or not was going to reach for him in the first.

Right, and how long has it been for a good big guy to come along? I'm not saying Bush is the next Bettis, but he has the potential. I think a lot of people don't know how talented the guy is - he was Kentucky's Mr. Football in HS as a QB (also played WR, RB, LB, DE, and DB) and then went to college as a RB and lead the nation in scoring.

He is a very talented guy, but this isn't high school, and it's not college. Watch a film of TJ Duckett at Michigan State and check out Bush with Louisville. You will be amazed at how similar of running styles they had. And Mr. Duckett was very talented as well. Many had him as the # 1 linebacker recruit coming out of high school. We have seen how well he has done at the pro level.

 

[Balco]

Michael Bush was a wasted pick by the Raiders.There have not been many 240+ RB's who have thrived in the NFL ie., J. Bettis & E. Campbell.RAPTURE

Even if Bush never plays a down in the NFL, missing at pick 100 is not going to set the Raiders back. Half the top 100 probably won't pan out

I hate that statement. How about striving for a player who will pan out. Many starters and many valuable role players can be found in the 4th round or later. This is huge for teams in the salary cap era, as the contracts are small. Bush is not going to play special teams, so his value is limited to running back, at which he is not very good. Just think it was a wasted pick by the Raiders.

He was projected as a 1st round talent prior to his injury. You may think he's not very good, but a lot of guys who get paid for a living to scout players obviously disagreed. Whether he comes back full speed is another story.

Thats wonderful that people get paid for their opinion on a player. I can watch football players as well. I wish I could get paid, but I don't. And I see a back whose skills in college will not translate well in the pros.