ANOTHER LOOK AT WILLIAMS VS. BUSH
Sun, Oct. 22, 2006

The Houston Texans stunned the NFL in April when they passed on Heisman Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush and selected North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams with the first pick in the draft. New Orleans scooped up Bush with the second pick. After seven weeks, which team appears to have made the better choice?

Mario Williams

While it is tough to rely on a rookie, the Texans selected the 6-foot-7, 291-pound Williams because they needed an aggressive pass rusher, particularly against division rival Indianapolis. In five games, Williams has registered just 16 tackles, and his 11/2 sacks came against Miami quarterback Daunte Culpepper. In a 34-6 loss to Dallas last week, Williams had his best game yet, recording six tackles but no sacks. Houston ranks last in the league in defense and is 1-4 heading into this weekend's divisional matchup with 3-2 Jacksonville.

Reggie Bush

The electric Bush is a load for opposing defenses. He runs the ball. He catches passes. He returns punts. In helping the Saints to a surprising 5-1 record - they are idle this weekend - Bush is tied for second in the league with 38 receptions and ranks seventh with a 10.7-yard punt return average. He leads the league with 20 catches on third down, seven more than his closest competitor. And, Bush is 23d in the league with 480 yards from scrimmage. The Saints are talking playoffs and for the first time in franchise history, there is a waiting list for season tickets. That's not all because of Bush, but he certainly has helped energize a once-floundering franchise.

Said ESPN analyst Tom Jackson: "I think that Reggie Bush is pretty much as advertised. Right now, I don't know if I've ever seen a rookie receive the focus he receives in the defense."

Read more at the Philly

March
•Reggie Bush Vows to Focus on Football

February
•Bush teams with Shaq to host All-Star charity event
•Dog thinks 2 $900 Super Bowl tickets tasty treat
•Boonton man scores big with Super Bowl tickets
•Dog thinks 2 $900 Super Bowl tickets tasty treat

Super Bowl Weekend
•OK!'s Guide to the Super Bowl Parties
•"Hannah" primed to claim Super Bowl weekend
•Paris Hilton, Ludacris party alongside 50 Cent at pre-game Super Bowl concert

January
•Reggie Bush Engaged to Kim Kardashian?

December
•Eagles vs. Saints Preview 12/23/07
•Bush Hoping to Play Against Eagles 12/18/07
•Cardinals 24, Saints 31
•Bush Out For the Year 12/12/07
•Falcons 14, Saints 34 12/10/07
•Falcons vs. Saints Preview 12/10/07
•Buccaneers 27, Saints 23 12/02/07
•Buccaneers vs. Saints Preview 12/02/07


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