Who Busted that you thought would be a star? [Archive] - The Orange Mane

kappys

04-18-2005, 06:38 PM

I'm watching ESPN's 20 biggest busts and it brings back some memories. From Roided out Entman to all the Bungle Busts. I though C. Brown would of been a really good player if not a star. I was wrong. We have 2 of the 20 on our team in Dayne and Brown. ???

I really don't blame Brown all that much. He's had about the worst luck you could get with injuries. When he did play as a rookie he was quite good. He was even good the last few years when he played, which is hardly ever.

In my opinion the great busts should be players that managed to completely fail despite staying reasonably healthy, and even despite having good or decent players around them. Dayne fits this bill perfectly.

Taco John

04-18-2005, 06:44 PM

I was petrified when the Chiefs drafted Ryan Sims. I thought that guy was going to give us headaches, and was angry with Minnesota for completely screwing that up.

Thankfully, he's nothing more than a role player.

NaptownChief

04-18-2005, 06:44 PM

Lovell Pickney, WR Texas.....Thought he could have been a star as a WR or TE...Didn't amount to $hit in the NFL.

Endy

04-18-2005, 06:45 PM

Was Brian Bosworth on the list? What a sissy he was in the pros. He was run over more than a speedbump outside a grocery store.

Taco John

04-18-2005, 06:49 PM

Rocket Ismail... But that was before I understood anything about talent conversion from college to the pros...

TheNextStep

04-18-2005, 06:49 PM

Like a lot of people, I really thought Ryan Leaf was going to be a good one. I recall also being really high on Travis Taylor when he came out.

azbroncfan

04-18-2005, 06:50 PM

Rocket Ismail... But that was before I understood anything about talent conversion from college to the pros...
He didn't even make the list. I though Mirer was going to be good after I saw his rookie year. Leaf is the #1 bust.

NaptownChief

04-18-2005, 06:51 PM

Was Brian Bosworth on the list? What a sissy he was in the pros. He was run over more than a speedbump outside a grocery store.

He wasn't as bad as everyone remembers...Nobody can forget that ass whipping Bo Jackson gave him on Monday Night but Boz was not great by any means but was actually fairly solid until injuries did him in. Definitely far more hype than product but no where near the category of guys like Andre Bruce, Andre Ware, Ryan Leaf and several others.

bro1ncos

04-18-2005, 06:51 PM

NaptownChief

04-18-2005, 06:53 PM

I will admit I thought Leaf was the one to take over Manning. I thought Manning had "happy feet" in the pocket and the NFL pressure would bother him. He does have "happy feet" but he totally overcomes it.

I wasn't 100% certain until Leaf showed up at the combine overweight....That told me all I needed to know as to how dumb the kid was.

azbroncfan

04-18-2005, 06:57 PM

Saalam isn't even on the list.

Garcia Bronco

04-18-2005, 07:02 PM

Dayne and Brown aren't in the 20...that's to make the "list" current. Leaf is should be on the list....because he's out of the league.

Al Wilson

04-18-2005, 07:06 PM

Definitly Tony Mandarich. Guess who was picked after him? Barry Sanders, and Neion Deion Sanders.

Hercules Rockefeller

04-18-2005, 07:09 PM

Saalam isn't even on the list.

Salaam was picked in the 20's. No way someone picked outside the Top 10, and probably the Top 5 should ever be put on a "Biggest Bust" list.

JPEZ

04-18-2005, 07:10 PM

Todd Marinovich

Tombstone RJ

04-18-2005, 07:16 PM

Courtney Brown is #17 and Ron Dayne is #16 on the ESPN list of the top 20 all time busts in the NFL draft. Ryan Leaf was rated the #1 overall bust.

So, the Chargers have the #1 all time bust.

The Faiders have the #4 all time bust in Todd Maronovich(sp), the QB.

Ballhawk

04-18-2005, 07:17 PM

Curtis Enis was a pretty big bust

Sodak

04-18-2005, 07:18 PM

Herschel Walker

SoCalBronco

04-18-2005, 07:18 PM

i expected much more out of Damione Lewis.

Ballhawk

04-18-2005, 07:18 PM

Tony Manderich (sp) drafted #1 OA by GB must be on that list.

Tombstone RJ

04-18-2005, 07:19 PM

Tony Manderich (sp) drafted #1 OA by GB must be on that list.

He's #2

Ballhawk

04-18-2005, 07:25 PM

Met Tony at a Red Robin in Cerritos, CA..shook his hand and said, "Your going #1 OA"

Kiss of death I guess, but he was a physical speciman to say the least. He had just come out on SI on a Tony vs Tyson who would win type thing.

Hogan11

04-18-2005, 07:29 PM

KiJana Carter.......honestly.

Rock Chalk

04-18-2005, 07:41 PM

Ron Mexico!

TheNextStep

04-18-2005, 07:42 PM

Drek

04-18-2005, 07:50 PM

I've seen through my fair share of super hyped projects, like Couch, Akili Smith, Ryan Leaf,etc., but the one guy that really stumped me was Andre Wadsworth. He should have been an all time great, but when he made it pro he just never stepped it up. Real shame, I don't know why but it seemed to me like he just didn't care.

Tombstone RJ

04-18-2005, 07:50 PM

I tend to cut guys like KiJana Carter, Steve Entman, and Quentin Coryatt some slack when we're talking about draft busts. To me, if a guy keeps getting hurt, he's just a hard-luck guy... as opposed to guys who have a chance to show what they can do and show everyone that they just suck (Ryan Leaf, Curtis Enis, etc).

I agree 100%. How can you call a guy a bust if he is injured all the time. He's a disappointment, yes, and its a sad situation for the player and the franchise, but he is not a "bust" in my opinion.

A bust is a guy who has all the talent in the world but wilts under the pressure of the pros, or he just doesn't give a crap after making all the money. Ryan Leaf is the perfect example. He had a million dollar arm and a ten cent brain. He had everything to play for and plenty of opportunity but he refused to work hard, and he was emotionally inept and shallow. The classic definition of a true bust, IMHO.

Mr. Trout

04-18-2005, 07:59 PM

I would say Andre Wadsworth...Anybody know when he was drafted?

Mr. Trout

04-18-2005, 08:00 PM

Hogan11

04-18-2005, 08:02 PM

I agree 100%. How can you call a guy a bust if he is injured all the time. He's a disappointment, yes, and its a sad situation for the player and the franchise, but he is not a "bust" in my opinion.

A bust is a guy who has all the talent in the world but wilts under the pressure of the pros, or he just doesn't give a crap after making all the money. Ryan Leaf is the perfect example. He had a million dollar arm and a ten cent brain. He had everything to play for and plenty of opportunity but he refused to work hard, and he was emotionally inept and shallow. The classic definition of a true bust, IMHO.

Ok, how about Art Schlichter then?

sirhcyennek81

04-18-2005, 08:05 PM

Wadsworth was the third overall pick in the 98 draft. i think 98. i know he went third. was supposed to team with rice and give the cardinals an elite passrush.

delany

04-18-2005, 08:12 PM

Dimitrious Underwood

1st round talent....and a badly warped mind

watermock

04-18-2005, 08:43 PM

Players mock has missed on:

Dante Stallworth

David Terrell

Adrian Madise

Dave Ragone

Sir Mawn

04-18-2005, 09:01 PM

Rick Mirer had an incredible first year. He looked poised, resourceful, mobile and cool. Then all hell broke lose.

Arkie

04-18-2005, 09:43 PM

ones
Tim Couch, Ki-Jana Carter, Dan Wilkinson, Steve Emtman, Jeff George, Aundray Bruce

twos
Leonard Davis, Ryan Leaf, Rick Mirer, Quentin Coryatt, Blair Thomas, Tony Manderich

Mr. Trout

04-18-2005, 09:58 PM

ones
Tim Couch, Ki-Jana Carter, Dan Wilkinson, Steve Emtman, Jeff George, Aundray Bruce

twos
Leonard Davis, Ryan Leaf, Rick Mirer, Quentin Coryatt, Blair Thomas, Tony Manderich

Davis isnt a bust now...he is the starting left tackle for the Cards and a long career ahead of him

chanesaw

04-18-2005, 10:20 PM

I was gonna say Blair Thomas.

FADERPROOF

04-18-2005, 10:26 PM

KiJana Carter.......honestly.

I second that, I thought Ki-Jana was going to put an end to all of Cincinnati's problems.

Atlas

04-18-2005, 10:39 PM

Like a lot of people, I really thought Ryan Leaf was going to be a good one. I recall also being really high on Travis Taylor when he came out.

I thought Taylor was going to be a stud also.

watermock

04-18-2005, 10:45 PM

I think Cullpecker pitching the ball to Taylor will make a world of difference.

wabbit

04-18-2005, 10:46 PM

I remember watching 4 or 5 Penn State games where Curtis Enis was unstoppable...size, speed...cut on a dime.

I was absolutely certain this guy was the next Jim Brown, and when Chicago drafted him, I instantly started following the Bears just to watch this guy.

Had a reasonable rookie season, then injuries, then nothing...unbelievable.

I just don't understand why it doesn't work for these immensely talented players.

-Slap-

04-18-2005, 10:52 PM

Like a lot of people, I really thought Ryan Leaf was going to be a good one. I recall also being really high on Travis Taylor when he came out.

Ryan owes his college coaches a huge debt of gratitude (although, I'm sure he doesn't feel that way) for covering up what an immature asshole he was at Washington State. Showing up at the Combine at 260 pounds sent up a red flag, but I don't remember people being overly concerned. It certainly didn't diminish his draft rating much.

I rarely miss on quarterbacks because I rarely expect any of them to pan out. How many really good ones are there anyway? Surely no more than a dozen. I did expect Leaf to make it, though.

Leaf showed plenty of heart and talent in the Rose Bowl and he wasn't plagued by injuries. I believe he signed that huge contract and suddenly decided that an actual pro career seemed like a hell of a lot of work. I think Ryan knew he was a bit of a layabout at heart. Most of those so afflicted have a revelatory moment that clearly defines their life path and I believe Ryan had that moment as soon as he signed that bazillion dollar contract. If not, that moment certainly came shortly afterwards, probably while snorting coke off a stripper's tits.

http://espn-att.starwave.com/media/nfl/2000/1102/photo/s_leafg_i.jpg

Taco John

04-18-2005, 11:06 PM

I was at the University of Idaho when Leaf was blowing up eight miles over in Pullman, WA. The stories they'd tell about the guy, I knew the guy didn't have the maturity to make it in this game ever... Especially after watching how the last "Ryan Leaf" panned out, Todd Moronovich. My buddies and I would have "epic" arguments over NFL (everyone in the house we were renting were die hard NFL fans of one stripe or another... funnest damn times!). ONe of the most epic were the Peyton Manning vs. Leaf arguments. For some strange reason, my buddy figured that Ryan Leaf had the measurables and that's all he needed. I still give him hell to this day about his eye for quarterbacks... Hell, he's sold on Ramsey right now, over in Washington...

Mr. Trout

04-19-2005, 12:41 AM

I think Cullpecker pitching the ball to Taylor will make a world of difference.

Good point....Culpepper is an expert at hitting receivers....Taylor will be good but never great...especially since they are going to draft Braylon Edwards or Mike Williams

pabst81

04-19-2005, 05:20 AM

Nobody has mentioned Lawrence Philips. Those are the type of guys who deserve the most flack- the Ryan Leafs and Marijuanavichs of the world. The guys who have every opportunity and all the skills to succeed yet are too ignorant to make anything of it.

The two former Browns, Couch and C Brown IMO shouldn't be put with those other fools for two reasons, 1. injurys of course have really set both back considerably, Couch being the hardest hit of the two suffering from a major throwing shoulder ailment that he tryed to play through and yet may never return to the game beacause 2. and the MAJOR REASON is that and you could probably put most Browns and also their home state rival Bengal drafted players in this catagory and that is the fact that those two organizations were and for the most part are still run so poorly that any player despite maybe some of the all-time greatest would have suffered through some of the same woes that alot of players have suffered through playing for one of these horrid franchises over the last 7 or 8 years. I would think us Broncos fans would really appreciate this fact considering we have an owner that really spends what ever it takes, legally or not, to put out a winning club every year and those two OHio clubs could never make the same case.

Clockwork Orange

04-19-2005, 06:17 AM

Nobody has mentioned Lawrence Philips. Those are the type of guys who deserve the most flack- the Ryan Leafs and Marijuanavichs of the world. The guys who have every opportunity and all the skills to succeed yet are too ignorant to make anything of it.

I'd actually give the Rams flack for that one. They knew exactly who Lawrence Phillips was on draft day and still blew a top 10 pick on him.

Guys like Ryan Leaf at least managed to hide their achilles heel until they got to the pros, but Phillips was a straight up douchebag and wasn't exactly shy about it when he was in college.

-Slap-

04-19-2005, 06:19 AM

Nobody has mentioned Lawrence Philips. Those are the type of guys who deserve the most flack- the Ryan Leafs and Marijuanavichs of the world. The guys who have every opportunity and all the skills to succeed yet are too ignorant to make anything of it.

I didn't mention Phillips because I never thought he would make it in the pros. He never should have been drafted, but scumbags like Tom Osborne and Georgia Frontiere saw it differently. I am mildly disappointed that Phillips isn't dead or in jail yet.

bloodsunday

04-19-2005, 06:51 AM

Dayne fits this bill perfectly.
Well, I don't want to start another Ron Dayne thread, but I think this is still in doubt a bit. For one, NY never really gave him a chance, IMO. They had Tiki Barber already and just kind of stayed with him. Secondly, Dayne is still in the league, so he could still become something.

I will say that is very, very unlikely to live up to his potential realitive to his pick (11 overall?).

bloodsunday

04-19-2005, 06:55 AM

Players mock has missed on:

Dante Stallworth

David Terrell

Adrian Madise

Dave Ragone
I'll cut you slack on Madise and Ragone :) Ragone is still in the league -- could be a late bloomer since he is behind Carr -- and Madise was a late rounder.

bloodsunday

04-19-2005, 06:58 AM

watermock

04-19-2005, 07:00 AM

Phillips had as much raw athletic skill at LT2 IMO. Him and Mike Rozier have to go down as classic embarassments. Both were incredibly talented backs IMO. Both seemed to swim like Penguins thru water on the field, but both were totally worthless.

Well, it's about time to roll the dice again.

We can only hope Wabbit is out at Dove Valley swapping cards under cloak and dagger.

bloodsunday

04-19-2005, 07:02 AM

We can only hope Wabbit is out at Dove Valley swapping cards under cloak and dagger.
Go wabbit go.

Ray Finkle

04-19-2005, 07:10 AM

Desmond Howard....

Jason in LA

04-19-2005, 07:21 AM

KiJana Carter.......honestly.

Injuries did him in from his first preseason game.

bronco militia

04-19-2005, 07:41 AM

SI's biggest busts of the modern era:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/04/15/draft.busts/content.1.html

SI's Best Draft Bargains of Past 20 Years

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/04/18/draft.bargains/content.1.html

TheNextStep

04-19-2005, 07:45 AM

For some local flavor: How about Tommy Maddox and Marcus Nash? Ouch. I was too young to really get the whole Reeves vs. Elway deal and how they forced that Maddox pick. But I thought Marcus Nash would be a good one -- that was when Shanny walked on water around here.
If we're talking local (as in our teams) I have to admit that I was begging and praying and hoping that the Raiders would draft Derrick Gibson in the first round.

Unfortunately, they did.

bendog

04-19-2005, 07:51 AM

How about biggest Den busts. I'll go with Croel, just cause he was taken so high. I figured he must have somehting.

But, I really thought that schindler and glassic would work. Schindler was just awful

Anderson was not a surprise. He played hard, but not a really talented guy.

Florida_Bronco

04-19-2005, 08:30 AM

I didn't mention Phillips because I never thought he would make it in the pros. He never should have been drafted, but scumbags like Tom Osborne and Georgia Frontiere saw it differently. I am mildly disappointed that Phillips isn't dead or in jail yet.

Tom Osborne a scumbag :kiddingme You must not know him or the situation very well. When that happened, he suspended Phillips for a number of games (not sure how many) before letting him return. Phillips at least seemed like he was on the right track again when he played his final game at Nebraska (Fiesta Bowl against Florida) Phillips biggest off the field troubles came after he was drafted

I lived in Omaha and have met Coach Osborne 3 times and he's a very nice man and devoted Christian. He's always trying to see the good in people and give them the benefit of the doubt, but he punished Phillips when he did wrong. Tom Osborne is most definetly not a scumbag though, by any stretch of the imagination.

On topic though, I thought Nash was something to be excited about. He played against Nebraska in the Orange Bowl and I could see talent then. Unfortunately though his rookie year he was behind Smith, McCaffery and Willie Green and was then cut a few games into 99. After that he went to Miami and then after a week or 2, went to Baltimore where he broke his jaw I believe.

Maybe it was attitude related, but he never really had a chance to learn our or anyone else's system. Hard to say whether he screwed it up or if it was just bad luck.

bpc

04-19-2005, 08:39 AM

Ki-Jana definitely stands out to me. I loved Rashaan Salaam. I couldn't believe he busted. I thought Akili Smith was going to be much better then he was. Sad that he started with the Bengals and not a team that could help him.

Joey Harrington has been a pretty huge bust. I thought after watching him against CU in the Fiesta bowl that he was really going to be great. These guys like Harrington and Smith from Oregon aren't Dan Fouts, stay away!

Peter Warrick has been a huge bust. Once again, another Bengals draft pick. He just has done nothing as a pro. He is a baby and a whiner at best.

I had high hopes for Middlebrooks and O'Neal. Especially after O'Neal made the pro bowl his 2nd season. Middlebrooks has worked hard so I can forgive him but O'Neal... damn, all the potential in the world and he just didn't work very hard. Couldn't focus. Tory James goes in this area too. Man, he looked all world before he tore up his knee and then he was just wasted product until recently with Cincy.

Who can forget Andre Wadsworth? This guy looked like he was going to be all world before he went the Paul Toviessi route all the way out of the league.

Oh yeah... looking at Toviessi and Hayward their first camp with Denver... these guys looked like beasts. ON the field they both looked like they were about 6'6" phenoms. I thought we were going to have our bookends after we drafted them... sucks that Paul's knee was so bad. Hayward went on to produce well for us though.

One only needs to look at the 97' draft to see a whole list of busts...

Darrell Russell, Shawn Springs, Bryant Westbrook, Michael Booker, Yatil Green, Reidel Anthony, Dewayne Rudd, David LaFlueur, Jon Harris, Chris Canty, Rae Carruth, Jim Drunkenmiller.

Our Broncos? They didn't do that bad that draft, we took Pryce. :)

Knock on wood and keep our fingers crossed that we make the right choice. BPA!

Arkie

04-19-2005, 08:48 AM

For some local flavor: How about Tommy Maddox and Marcus Nash? Ouch. I was too young to really get the whole Reeves vs. Elway deal and how they forced that Maddox pick. But I thought Marcus Nash would be a good one -- that was when Shanny walked on water around here.

Marcus Nash was the whole reason that dude named Manning somethin' was any good at Tennessee. :puff:

TheNextStep

04-19-2005, 08:50 AM

Tory James goes in this area too. Man, he looked all world before he tore up his knee and then he was just wasted product until recently with Cincy.

Negative, Ghostrider.

Tory James earned the nickname "Big Game James" (with apologies to James Worthy) while he was in Oakland. The guy played his ass off for us, which is why Cincinatti gave him that nice, fat contract. Most Raider fans I know were pissed that we let him go.

bendog

04-19-2005, 09:07 AM

I agree TNS. James knee seemed ok by the time he got to the R66d6ers. Too bad for the broncs how that ended up, though I don't expect any sympathy (-:

TheNextStep

04-19-2005, 09:13 AM

Even if you suck because of injuries it is still a bust.

I just plain disagree with that. Take a guy like Robert Edwards, for example. The guy was the real deal... for one year. He suffered a freak injury in an exhibition beach football game at the Pro-Bowl and never recovered from it.

Is Robert Edwards a bust? I just don't think it is fair to say that about him. That's just my opinion, though, and I've got no problems with agreeing to disagree.

Florida_Bronco

04-19-2005, 09:14 AM

Isn't Edwards still playing in Miami?

Drek

04-19-2005, 09:14 AM

Peter Warrick has been a huge bust. Once again, another Bengals draft pick. He just has done nothing as a pro. He is a baby and a whiner at best. I don't think Warrick's problem is his attitude, its more his being a runt with mediocre durability and average hands. Back at FSU they used to to whatever it took to get the ball in his hands, then he'd get the job done. On the NFL level you need to make it easy to get you the ball first and foremost, what you do afterwards is largely secondary.

TheNextStep

04-19-2005, 09:22 AM

Isn't Edwards still playing in Miami?

No. His rookie year was 1998, where he 291 carries, 1115 yards, 9 touchdowns. He also had 35 receptions, 331 yards, and 3 touchdowns.

He did not play in 1999, 2000, or 2001.

He briefly made a comeback with Miami in 2002, where he had 20 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown.

Again, though... is that guy a bust? I just don't feel right saying that he is. When the guy had a chance to play, he was really freakin' good. To me, that's what separates "injury" guys from "busts."

Enis had every opportunity to be successful... and he just plain wasn't good enough. Edwards was definitely good enough... he just suffered a catastrophic leg injury. Enis is a matter of talent; Edwards is a matter of bad luck. I know I might be over-analyzing it, but I do believe that distinction needs to be made when talking about draft busts. Like I said, though... that's just me.

Florida_Bronco

04-19-2005, 09:24 AM

No. His rookie year was 1998, where he 291 carries, 1115 yards, 9 touchdowns. He also had 35 receptions, 331 yards, and 3 touchdowns.

He did not play in 1999, 2000, or 2001.

He briefly made a comeback with Miami in 2002, where he had 20 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown.

Again, though... is that guy a bust? I just don't feel right saying that he is. When the guy had a chance to play, he was really freakin' good. To me, that's what separates "injury" guys from "busts."

Enis had every opportunity to be successful... and he just plain wasn't good enough. Edwards was definitely good enough... he just suffered a catastrophic leg injury. Enis is a matter of talent; Edwards is a matter of bad luck. I know I might be over-analyzing it, but I do believe that distinction needs to be made when talking about draft busts. Like I said, though... that's just me.

I agree, would we call John Elway a bust if he'd got injured in his first 2 years and it forced him to retire???

Unfortunately, many pry would.

Mile High Shack

04-19-2005, 09:26 AM

Edwards didn't even get injured on the field, but on some stupid flag football game during the pro-bowl

dude almost lost his whole leg.

bloodsunday

04-19-2005, 09:30 AM

I'll go with Croel, just cause he was taken so high. I figured he must have somehting.
What's more, he had a promising rookie campaign and then fell of the face of the earth. Damn Cornhuskers! ;D

bloodsunday

04-19-2005, 09:36 AM

When that happened, he suspended Phillips for a number of games (not sure how many) before letting him return. Phillips at least seemed like he was on the right track again when he played his final game at Nebraska (Fiesta Bowl against Florida) Phillips biggest off the field troubles came after he was drafted.
Not to change the conversation or hijack the thread, but man if CU had the problems that Ohio State, Nebraska (at least in the past), Tennessee, and South Carolina has had with players arrests they would hang Gary Barnett. The Govenor would probably be the executioner himself. We got a witch hunt going on here, mean while SC has 11 arrests THIS OFFSEASON and they're all smiles. Ohio State has had something like 14 player arrests under Tressel, and you don't see the govenor of Ohio calling OSU a disgrace!

I don't know why anyone would want to coach CU. The academic side of the university hates the athletics and won't stop until they get their way.

Jason in LA

04-19-2005, 09:49 AM

The biggest bust ever to me was JJ Stokes. I grew up in a UCLA family, and went there a year after he left. In high school I was a huge Stokes fan. Had newspaper clippings of him all over my room. He was the player that I wanted to be.

That guy was a man amoung boys in college. He came on late in his So. year. He had a break out game against USC. He beat them by himself. Had like 250 yards that game. He exploded during his Jr. year. He was unstoppible. He was one of the first big WRs. The CBs on that level couldn't handle him. Big, tall, good speed, and he had some juke moves. If he had come out after that year he would have been a top 5 pick. But he returns for his Sr. year to improve his draft position. He did it because he only had one good year under his belt.

He was injuried for a good amount of his Sr. year. He had a bad knee. It really hurt his draft position. He came back late in the year and showed flashes of what he did in his Jr. year. If he had been healthy his entire Sr. year and played like he did the year before, there is no question in my mind that he would have been the 1st pick overall.

When the Niners picked him, I think 10th overall, my brother, a Niners fan, called me going nuts. I was shocked, and a little pissed. It looked like the Niners were going to just keep on rolling. I thought Stokes was going to make Rice the #2 WR (Rice was getting old at that point...who knew that he would play till his was in his 40s?).

But when Stokes had to play against men, instead of boys, he was exposed. He had no heart, and could easily be punked. In college, he was so much bigger and stronger than the CBs, he could just have his way. Like the star of the varsity team playing a game on the JV team. But in the pros, they weren't having any of that crap. Romo showed what a punk that guy was when he spat on Stokes. Spit on Jerry Rice like that and watch what happens. It also showed what Stokes' teamates thought of him. Did anybody come to his defense?

It's had to believe that a guy that physically gifted could be such a bust. Talk about the Tinman.

easymobee

04-19-2005, 10:06 AM

For some local flavor:

Bobby Humphrey : He may well have been our RB for a long time if not for the holdout .

Alton Montgomery : He was 2nd round, but i thought that he had a good shot to be a good safety. He got drafted to take over for Dennis Smith though, and DS still had a good amount of time to give.

Mike Croel : From ROY to afterthought so quick.

easymobee

04-19-2005, 10:09 AM

The biggest bust ever to me was JJ Stokes.

The great WR debate of that years draft .....

Which "Franchise" WR to take 1st : JJ Stokes or M. Westbrook?

Its kind of rare that you have 2 "cant miss" players at 1 pos. and they both bust ( or are mediocre at best ).

A few years later it was David Boston or Torry Holt.

ro_50

04-19-2005, 10:15 AM

Leaf could be the obvious choice but that guy was a nutcase. For me, it would have to be Curtis Enis. I thought he was going to be a great one for the Bears, even better than Neil Anderson.

Others include Todd Marinavich (sp), Rick Mirer, who I thought was going to be better than Drew Bledsoe, who went a pick ahead of him.

I have a question, whatever happened to Andre Wadsworth, who was picked behind Leaf in the 98 draft. He was suppose to be the next Bruce Smith.

Jason in LA

04-19-2005, 10:27 AM

Mike Croel : From ROY to afterthought so quick.

I remember Inside the NFL doing a feature story on him that year. He had a rough childhood. Then was adopted by some white folks. He got his act together. Then he gets 10 sacks in 10 games as a rookie. Then nothing.

FADERPROOF

04-19-2005, 11:10 AM

Not to change the conversation or hijack the thread, but man if CU had the problems that Ohio State, Nebraska (at least in the past), Tennessee, and South Carolina has had with players arrests they would hang Gary Barnett. The Govenor would probably be the executioner himself. We got a witch hunt going on here, mean while SC has 11 arrests THIS OFFSEASON and they're all smiles. Ohio State has had something like 14 player arrests under Tressel, and you don't see the govenor of Ohio calling OSU a disgrace!

I don't know why anyone would want to coach CU. The academic side of the university hates the athletics and won't stop until they get their way.

Wanna inform me on all these players at Ohio State that have been arrested?

bendog

04-19-2005, 11:46 AM

Not a bust, but an injury. Marv Montgomery was going to be every bit as good a Zimmerman was, until he got the curse of the LT - having a guy push you back and getting a leg caught on a guy - tore his knee all the hell. Shame.

TotallyScrewed

04-19-2005, 12:10 PM

I guess he was in the category of injured but the injuries were his own fault...

I thought when I saw him in his rookie year that Denver and J.Elway were in BIG, BIG trouble... Brian Bosworth.

BRONCCRUSHFAN

04-19-2005, 12:25 PM

Todd Marinovich

Definately Todd Marinovich has to be number 1, he broke all of Elway's HS, and Collegiate records, and then quit after his first year with the fade to be a professional surfer. Leaf is number 2, because he at least tried to stay in the league with the Cowgirls.

-Slap-

04-19-2005, 12:36 PM

Tom Osborne a scumbag :kiddingme You must not know him or the situation very well. When that happened, he suspended Phillips for a number of games (not sure how many) before letting him return. Phillips at least seemed like he was on the right track again when he played his final game at Nebraska (Fiesta Bowl against Florida) Phillips biggest off the field troubles came after he was drafted

I lived in Omaha and have met Coach Osborne 3 times and he's a very nice man and devoted Christian. He's always trying to see the good in people and give them the benefit of the doubt, but he punished Phillips when he did wrong. Tom Osborne is most definetly not a scumbag though, by any stretch of the imagination.

You must not know the circumstances of Phillips' vicious assault on a young girl (as well as one of his teammates).

Reinstating Phillips was sickening and Tom Osborne is a gigantic scumbag, hypocrite sonofabitch.

FADERPROOF

04-19-2005, 12:39 PM

You must not know the circumstances of Phillips' vicious assault on a young girl (as well as one of his teammates).

Reinstating Phillips was sickening and Tom Osborne is a gigantic scumbag, hypocrite sonofabitch.

Like dragging her down an entire flight of stairs?

Not sure if I remember all the details but I do believe that was ONE of the things he did to her.

-Slap-

04-19-2005, 12:45 PM

Like dragging her down an entire flight of stairs?

Not sure if I remember all the details but I do believe that was ONE of the things he did to her.

Dragged her down two flights of stairs by her hair and caved in a metal mailbox with the back of her head. I hope someone does that to one of scumbag Tom Osborne's daughter's some day.

DBroncos4life

04-19-2005, 01:15 PM

Dragged her down two flights of stairs by her hair and caved in a metal mailbox with the back of her head. I hope someone does that to one of scumbag Tom Osborne's daughter's some day.

I love it when you act all good then wish harm on another human. Awesome!

Sodak

04-19-2005, 01:18 PM

Dragged her down two flights of stairs by her hair and caved in a metal mailbox with the back of her head. I hope someone does that to one of scumbag Tom Osborne's daughter's some day.

And people still complain about Gary Barnett... :kiddingme

DBroncos4life

04-19-2005, 01:29 PM

6 college players where arrested for some kind of assualt on women that year and Phillips was held out the longest. Also Phillips was told to LEAVE school early by Congressmen Osborne. Oh and Slap are you so sure about the mailbox part of your story?

Mile High Shack

04-19-2005, 01:31 PM

Jason in LA

04-19-2005, 01:33 PM

How can you defend Lawrence Phillips?

I think he's defending Osburne. Well, I hope that's the case.

DBroncos4life

04-19-2005, 01:35 PM

How can you defend Lawrence Phillips?

Im not Im defending Osborne.

Mile High Shack

04-19-2005, 01:37 PM

Im not Im defending Osborne.
Osbourne is like every other college coach, you bend the rules for the stars of the team….it’s been going on since the 50’s.

DBroncos4life

04-19-2005, 01:40 PM

Osbourne is like every other college coach, you bend the rules for the stars of the team….it’s been going on since the 50’s.

That maybe but like I said there where 6 other guys that beat up chicks that year and they got to comeback much much sooner then Phillips. Phillips was kicked out of school at the end of that year. He didn't comeback because he wasn't going to be welcomed back.