Top 5 Draft Busts Since 1990

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about 1 month ago Chris Comment 8 comments 0 recs |

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I’m generally forgiving of a player who doesn’t live up to expectations because of injuries so I’m always hesitant to label that player a bust immediately. They’re just a part of life in the NFL (whether they’re the result of slightly questionable judgment or not, ala Percy Snow). I’d probably classify busts more by failure to achieve potential given relatively good health, as a result of either unwillingness to perform, extremely questionable decision-making (e.g. Ryan Leaf or Cedric Benson or Rashaan Salaam) or just plain bad scouting by the team (e.g. Tony Mandarich, David Klingler, Rick Mirer). I guess you could lump Snow in there, but seriously…how many people really think they’re going to get that banged up riding a moped? If it was a Kellen Winslow or Ben Roethlisberger situation where you’re making stupid decisions while riding a motorcycle, then sure. But Snow’s deal was a borderline freak accident and he was an outstanding player before that.

I don’t think I’d include Morris at all on a “bust” list. He was a smart pick, he did fine for a rookie, he just got hurt playing. It happens.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Jul 11, 2008 11:46 AM CDT 0 recs

To Replace Morris

I’d select Harvey Williams. Outside of a decent-looking rookie season (4.6 ypc, although it was a small sample size of carries) he was horrible while he played here (3.4 and 3.5 ypc his 2nd and 3rd year…3.9 ypc overall) and he only had one good season his entire career (1995 with the Raiders). Every other year he was a backup RB at best.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Jul 11, 2008 11:54 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'd Have Included Greg Hill

But his numbers during his time here were actually very solid (only one season below 4 ypc with 140-150 carries per year). Marty just wouldn’t give him a shot at real playing time…allegedly because (if I recall the story correctly) Marty was banging Hill’s girlfriend (or vice versa). Hill should have been getting a full complement of carries for his 1st three years here because he produced when he had a shot…he just wasn’t given a real opportunity.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Jul 11, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

Tough

It is tough to really get a shot when Marcus Allen is playing ahead of you at a high level.

by cmpotter on Jul 11, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Greg Hill Outperformed Marcus Allen In Rushing

Every year they played together except 1997. Plus Hill was 12 years younger than Allen and Allen was a better receiver which meant Allen was best utilized as a third-down back and the carries split should have favored Hill more than Allen.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Jul 11, 2008 4:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Tony Mandarich

Tough to blame the team for bad scouting when he was labeled one of the can’t miss prospects by everyone. Kinda like Dorsey this year…

by primetime 07 on Jul 11, 2008 10:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

A Drug Test Would Have Knocked His Stock Down

Had a friend of a friend who was being recruited by Michigan State back when Mandarich was there. They went to a party at Mandarich’s house and the guy popped open the freezer looking for some food and apparently the entire thing was stuffed with roids. Mandarich did an article in SI where he said he quit taking them once he got to the NFL because he was afraid of the random testing…which is why his athleticism went away so quickly (and his technique wasn’t good enough to compensate).

Packers didn’t do their homework.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Jul 12, 2008 9:16 PM CDT up 0 recs