Saints fans elated...

[TenTallBen]

...but they are the Saints, right? I'm still waiting to see how they'll screw this one up. I hope I'm wrong. I've been a fan too long to give up now. We drafted Deuce when we had Ricky. That wasn't such a bad idea. This could work out well. Houston, what the fuck were you thinking?????

Saints' fans elated over picking Bush
Heisman Trophy winner lands in New Orleans
Glenn Guilbeau



METAIRIE — The New Orleans Saints did not win a playoff game Saturday morning, but that was surely the feeling at Draft Fest 2006 outside the team’s offices after the NFL club selected USC star tailback with the second pick of the first round.
Fans exploded euphorically as if the Saints had just scored a last-second touchdown to advance in the playoffs.

They chanted, “REG-GIE … REG-GIE … REG-GIE.”

Some fans held up credit cards, demanding season tickets. And there was a run at the Saints offices for tickets.

Bush was expected to go to the Houston Texans, but on Friday night Houston shocked the world by signing North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams and then took him with the first pick Saturday morning. Bush’s agent Joel Segal reportedly asked the Texans for too much money.

The Saints then immediately took the multi-talented Bush, who gained 1,740 yards on 200 carries (8.7-yard average) last season for the national champion runner-up Trojans. In three seasons at USC, the 5-foot-11, 203-pound Bush, who also can play receiver and return kicks, gained 6,551 all-purpose yards.

“It’s crazy out here,” Saints fan Tony Manzella said at the Fest. “I’ve been to a couple of these things, and it's never been anything like this. If they hadn’t picked Bush, I would’ve feared for my son (6-year-old Tony). If they wouldn’t have picked Bush, I think everyone would’ve stormed the Saints building. Bush is going to sell tickets. He’s going to cause all kinds of commotion. Everybody’s going to be buying tickets.”

Little Tony Manzella was wearing the No. 26 jersey of Deuce McAllister, who may now be the second option for the Saints as the talented Bush has been called the next Gale Sayers and the best running back out of college in 15 or 20 years.

“He’s ready for Reggie’s jersey,” Manzella said. “He just said he wants to go get one right now.”

New Saints coach Sean Payton said a half hour before the Saints actually picked on WWL radio that they would take Bush.

“No question, we’re taking him,” Payton said. “He’s exactly what we’re looking for in regards to the type of player. Forget the position for a minute. He’s the type of player that we would like to be a part of this organization. He’s a great player. He catches the ball well. He’s intelligent. He’s got great character.”

But will the Saints be able to afford Bush? Saints owner Tom Benson reportedly did not want to pay USC quarterback Matt Leinart high-pick, quarterback money and had his people get veteran quarterback Drew Brees instead. General manager Mickey Loomis raised his arms when asked how Saints owner Tom Benson felt about Bush.

“Yeah, he was excited. He’s been very supportive,” Loomis said at a press conference at the Saints facility. “He’s obviously a high-profile player. He’s lightning on the field. These negotiations at the top of the draft every year are difficult. There’s nothing that makes them easy. I hope we have a quick resolution, but I think just based on history those negotiations are tough.”

Loomis expected Segal to ask the Saints for as much money as they asked for from Houston.

There were reports Friday night that Bush did not want to play for the Saints.

“Yes, I want to play there,” Bush said by teleconference from New York. “I just want to get there on the football field. I’m excited to come to New Orleans."

Bush was due to be in New Orleans Saturday night for a press conference at the Saints' facility.

"I expect to be in camp on time," he said. "I expect to start off on a good note with the organization and the community, and we’re going to turn this program around.”

Make that a great note. Stephen Indest of Harahan bought eight season tickets at a cost of $1,928 shortly after the Bush selection.

“I’ve never seen it as busy as it was on the Internet Friday night when the news broke on Bush,” Indest said. “So I decided to come out here in person. We’ve got Bush. We’ve got Brees. We’ve got a new coach. We’ve got a team now.”

[PrimeX]

Houston, what the fuck were you thinking?????

After Katrina the Texans just figured that they would continue to help out the city of New Orleans and their fans.

[TenTallBen]

Houston, what the fuck were you thinking?????

After Katrina the Texans just figured that they would continue to help out the city of New Orleans and their fans.

Don't get me wrong. I like the hometown guy in D. Davis, but he ain't exactly putting fans in the seats. I'm actually very happy that the poeple of New Orleans have something to look forward to in the next season. New coaching staff, new QB, Reggie Bush. They have no more excuses to suck.

[BBMarley]

Houston, what the fuck were you thinking?????

After Katrina the Texans just figured that they would continue to help out the city of New Orleans and their fans.

Don't get me wrong. I like the hometown guy in D. Davis, but he ain't exactly putting fans in the seats. I'm actually very happy that the poeple of New Orleans have something to look forward to in the next season. New coaching staff, new QB, Reggie Bush. They have no more excuses to suck.

yes they do.. its called lack of an offensive line. Brees will be on his ass alot if they don't get on the ball here soon. Faine is an okay replacement for Bentley- but not great

[TenTallBen]

They've got seven more picks, so we'll see...