EDITOR'S NOTE:**Texans fan Alan J. Burge continues to write his "Voice of the Fan" column for HoustonTexans.com. His latest installment is below. Alan's views do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization.
*Get on with it already
Maybe it's just me, but has anyone else grown tired of "The Great Debate?" Day after day after day, it's the same old thing.
Sports Talk Radio Host: "Hello caller. Welcome in, what's on your mind?"
Caller: "Yeah, uh … me and my friends were at happy hour and we came up with this great idea. Why not trade David Carr to the Saints for their first rounder so we can draft both Reggie and Vince?"
Or, another all-time favorite:
Caller: "If the Texans don't draft Vince, I'm going to cancel my season tickets!"
Me: "Don't let the door hit ya ..."
I think I've developed a new found respect for sports talk radio hosts. I couldn't do it. I wouldn't last an hour. Internet message boards aren't much better. There are probably enough gigabytes of #5, #8, #9 and #10 debate out there to fill up a flatbed truck full of memory sticks.
What is supposed to be fun and exciting grew old and tiresome at least a month ago. Let's get on with it already.
Get on with the Reggie Bush jerseys, that is.
If I had to guess, I would say that at about 11:13 a.m. CDT on Saturday, Texans fans will hear the words "With the first pick of the 2006 NFL Draft, the Texans select Reggie Bush, running back, University of Southern California" as the final first overall pick announcement ever made by outgoing commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
I may be wrong, but I sense most pro-Vince people, including myself, have come to grips with this already. But many haven't and it's a guarantee that there will be a ton of fallout - if Bush isn't already signed - on said radio shows and message boards starting at about 11:14 a.m.
So as one phase of The Great Debate ends, another will begin. And it will be right there in front of our eyes as #10 two-tone ugly blue jerseys pop up everywhere in our hometown.
I kind of understand how some fans could follow a player before following a team, especially if they are family, but that's never been me. I support the home team. Always have – always will – regardless of the circumstances. And as much as I think Vince Young is going to be a special player someday, the minute he puts on another team's jersey, he's the enemy.
Okay, enough already about número uno. What about the rest of the draft?
With four picks out of the first 66 on Saturday, it's essential that the Texans hit more than they miss. They need to find starting talent with each of their first four picks on Saturday.
Here's my humble offering on scenarios that could play out this weekend:
Round 1(1st overall) – Reggie Bush (USC)
Round 2 (33rd overall) – Cornerbacks Ashton Youboty (Ohio State) or Kelly Jennings (Miami) would be good pickups at this point. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie (Florida State) may slide a little bit because of past injury concerns, but he is probably gone by this point. If offensive tackle Eric Winston somehow slides to No. 33, you have to take him. Outside linebacker DeMeco Ryans (Alabama) is also a possibility.
Round 3 (65th overall) - If a cornerback was taken at No. 33, then an offensive lineman such as Jonathan Scott (Texas), Marcus McNeill (Auburn), or Daryn Colledge (Boise State) would be good value at this point. If anything other than a cornerback is taken at No. 33, then selecting a cornerback at this point is almost a must.
Round 3 (66th overall) – With middle linebacker a need, Abdul Hodge (Iowa) would be a nice fit here if he's still available. Gerris Wilkinson (Georgia Tech) and Tim Dobbins (Iowa State) are also possibilities. D'Qwell Jackson (Maryland) is probably long gone by this point.
Round 4 (98th overall) – Select the best offensive guard or free safety available.
Round 6 (170th overall) and Round 7 (251st overall) – best athlete available.
May 1 can't get here quick enough for me. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise that I'll be headed out of town that day and won't be able to listen to the callers or read the message boards.
You can email Alan Burge at: ajtexans@yahoo.com
