NFL Draft's forgotten prospect.......RB Michael Bush from Louisville
On March 6, the Browns signed one of the biggest running backs in team history in Jamal Lewis, continuing a long tradition of power backs for the Cleveland Browns. At 5-feet-11 and 245 pounds, Lewis has size that matches that of the team's great big backs of the past like Marion Motley, Jim Brown and Kevin Mack.
At 6-feet-2 and 243 pounds with 13.5 percent body fat, Louisville running back Micahel Bush fits the mold as well. And he could be a fit for the Browns in the 2007 NFL Draft.
Depending on what Bush is able to do during the next several weeks, he could be available when the Browns select in the second or perhaps even the third round. A year ago, the thought of getting Bush at that point of the '07 draft would've been shocking.
In fact, if not for a season-ending broken leg in the 2006 season opener, the discussion about the top running back in the 2007 NFL Draft might very well include Bush's name.
As for his health, Bush said he's about five months into a six-to-eight-month recovery, but he hopes to defy the odds and run the 40-yard dash at Louisville's pro day on March 26.
With his size, it's hard to imagine Bush playing another position -- except maybe linebacker -- but he didn't have much experience as a tailback before he arrived on campus at Louisville.
The athlete was one of Kentucky's best receivers as a sophomore and junior at Male High School in Louisville and also played running back, defensive back, linebacker and defensive end during his time as a prep star. As a senior, he moved to quarterback and was named Kentucky's Mr. Football.
In a now-famous high school football game, Bush threw for 468 yards and six touchdowns, and ran for 116 yards with a score, during a 59-56 loss in a state championship game. On the winning sideline was his future teammate at Louisville, quarterback Brian Brohm.
He also was a prep hoops star and nearly became the first player in state history to win both the Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball awards. He briefly considered playing both sports in college. That is, at Louisville, where the basketball program by no means has open sign-ups.
Bush left high school ranked as the nation's top-ranked safety prospect. He hoped to play quarterback in college, but he moved to running back after arriving at Louisville and caught on quickly.
As a freshman in 2003, he played all 13 games with four starts and carried 81 times for 503 yards. As a sophomore, he played 12 games with three starts and rushed for 743 yards on 132 carries. He rushed for a Big East-best 1,143 yards and a Louisville school record 23 touchdowns in '05. He chose to return to school in '06 but broke his leg just 17 carries into his senior year.
A team captain, he watched and cheered from the sidelines as his school qualified for its first BCS bowl game -- a victory over Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl.
Bush was granted a fifth year of eligibility through a medical redshirt but decided instead to forgo the additional year and enter the NFL Draft.
He said watching players like former Bills running back Willis McGahee and the Chargers' Antonio Comrartie leave school early and get drafted in the first round despite coming off major injuries gave him reason to believe he could do the same.
He said age also was a factor.
"I'm 22 and by the time the draft came around next year I'd be going on 24," he said.
While running back wasn't his first choice of positions in college, he said in retrospect he's glad he made the move. He said he looks forward to playing under veterans in the NFL and learning more about the position he hasn't been playing for very long.
"I'm glad I moved to running back," he said. "Things went well playing running back. And I've only played running back seriously for two years. So once I get to the next level and get older guys to help me I can become a better back.
"There are a whole lot of things I don't know yet. Hopefully I'll get on the right team and the right system and the coach will help me out."
It's certainly intriguing to imagine the type of punishment a backfield with both Lewis and Bush would be able to inflict on opposing defenses. Wearing a unit down over the course of a game would seemingly never be a problem.
At nearly 250 pounds, Bush is soon to become one of the biggest running backs in the NFL. He said he looks forward to bowling over defenders and doing what he calls "taking his lunch money."
"I want to be one of those guys classified as an every-down back," Bush said. "That's one of my goals. That's how I go into the game. On third and one I can get you the extra yard."
I still want the Buccaneers to take him with our 1st 2nd round pick. I think alot of people are sleeping and forgot about him. If he wouldn't have gotten hurt, he would prob be a top 10 pick.
I like the prospect of Caddy and Michael Bush splitting carries in the backfield
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Florida State Seminoles
yea, Michael Bush will be a steal, he was fuccin cold, i dunno y all these teams forgetting about him
which ever team chooses him is gonna look smart
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"When you question who you are, you can't be proud of who you are. Now that I'm trying to peel off those layers and really understand who I am, I don't have anything to be shy about." - Ricky Williams
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life was hell every day the devils tryin me but i paid my debt to society after 27 months ill tell you one thing i know why the caged bird sings
guaranteed top 10 pick? are you sure?
if he was guaranteed top 10 i dont think he would have came back. maroney went 21st. i dont actually remember his stock but top 10 lock seems off to me
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I have very serious questions about his speed....
and i'm not so sure about his IQ as a running back, he looks like that kind high school running back that usually gets switched to LB in college... he might be a little too raw
still, i liked what i saw out of him, i'd give him a look late in the first day
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Originally Posted by verbaltelekinesis
you got the market cornered on basketball knowledge, hell sports knowledge period. You the Jesus Christ of this Coliseum postin sh!t.
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NFL Draft's forgotten prospect.......RB Michael Bush from Louisville
over someone having a differing opinion
