Mario Williams possibly big bust??

That seems to be the media point of view.

Let me ask you something- the Steelers and the Patriots. Both are players who draft "steelers" or "patriots" players. They have the right attitude, work ethic, etc. They're smart and can play many system and know many blitzes. What part of the Steelers or Patriots is built around potential or athleticism?

David Givens isn't particular fast or athletic- but he worked in the system because he's smart and he knows what he's doing and works hard at what he does.

Tom Brady knows his system, gets to know his players - does what he's told when he's told.

Tedy Bruschi is an influential player who is always around the ball. Mike Vrabel, etc the list goes on. Ok they have athletic players in Richard Seymour but they're built around work-ethic.

You talk about busts, you're generally talking about athletic guys or injury-prone guys. The injury prones generally can't help it but given their chance and the right health care- they will show you their talents (see KVB).

Athletic guys are the ones with "all this potential". They jump up draft boards but on the field - they don't give a ****. They've got their pay for the day.

LaVar Arrington, Reggie Williams, Charles Rogers, Dewayne Robertson, the list goes on.

Something to think about:
What is Troy Polamalu known for? Him blazing up to the people or always being around the ball? What good is athleticism if you can't read plays..

Edit: I am not saying you don't want guys with athletisicm but if I have pick with a guy who has 30% ath but 70% work ethic or vise-versa - I'm taking the work ethic every time.

Troy Polamalu is a horrible example if you're going for unathletic work-ethic guys. Teddy Bruschi is a fine athlete as well. I think most GM's will go for the best combination of all assets.

So you had Leinart over Vince on your card??

A lot of people did. I'd say the majority of people did.

I agree with what you are saying to a point but we drafted Javon Kearse purely on his athleticism not really knowing how he would handle being a DE in a 4-3 scheme. Your point about Troy Polamalu actually argues against what you are saying. Polamalu raced up the draft boards after his pro day:

Timed at 4.35 in the 40-yard dash … 405-pound bench press … 600-pound squat … 353-pound power clean … 38½-inch vertical jump …

Pitt drafted him because there are not alot of Ss with 4.3 speed.

Ok first things first: I'm not saying ALL athletic guys fail. I am not saying all athletic guys are doomed for failure. I'm saying that it seems to be the athletic guys who fail the most.

Troy Polamalu does have top speed- but he's always around the ball thats his work ethic. If he was a headless chicken he'd just be running around.

I, like everyone, likes potential. You want every player you draft to have potential - it gives them value. For me personally Leinart didn't have a lot of potential - very limited infact. Vince Young was also productive, he has the work ethic. He's just athletic to boot. He isn't based around his speed. He's based around his work-ethic, his leadership skills, etc.

Had Vince Young led Texas to the national championship without his running and purely passing but was the same guy with work ethic and leadership - he'd still be a top prospect (Matt Leinart seems to fit that description actually except with less work ethic).

how could they have that leinart sucks

based on what?

Broken Record: People see stuff, others don't- thats the draft. Does stuff change your perception at a certain time. LenDale White was a top-10 pick upto him not working out - yet it was proven, medically, that he was injured. His work-ethic didn't change in that time, his injury limited him and if he had worked out - he'd probably have been a 3rd round pick or later because he's out for the next 6 month.

I just think Leinart wants a media personality as well as on the field. He sees the value (he seems pretty business saavy) and I do think he'll succeed in the NFL, BECAUSE he's in the same fit as USC. He has great receivers, he has a great back they just need an o-line, but I don't think his
work-ethic is his greatest asset. He does enough and he won't cause a gefuffle but thats about it.

In 5 years time and Leinart is starting - the "experts" will be calling us stupid - but Leinart here just wouldn't be able to do what he could do with Arizona. I just hope Young is better than Leinart off his own back - Leinart is a system QB, but he's in the right NFL system so we will see him suceed, IMO.