Downward trend: USC stars fall below draft expectations

CHICAGO — Nobody really thought Southern California's two Heisman Trophy winners would be drafted so low. That they ended up with two of the worst franchises in the NFL is the way the NFL draft is intended to work.

Running back Reggie Bush didn't want to be the second pick overall, and nobody really thought he would be a New Orleans Saint. Quarterback Matt Leinart didn't think he would fall all the way to No. 10 with the Arizona Cardinals.

Both said all the right things, but if they can make the kind of difference they hope on these perennially challenged teams, they are even better than advertised.

After the Houston Texans agreed to contract terms with North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams at No. 1 on Friday night, the Saints fielded trade inquiries but simply couldn't pass up the consensus best player on the board.

"I was prepared for possibly not being No. 1, so that's the name of the game," Bush said, bravely adding a message for wildly cheering Saints' fans. "I'm coming in there strong and coming to help win some games. I'm coming in to help the city get turned around and do everything we can to bring a championship to New Orleans."

Bringing a winning record would be a more realistic goal. The Saints have enjoyed only seven of them in their ignominious 39-year history.

While the Saints, obviously, can use Bush, it would help if they actually needed him more than they need a blocker or a tight end for new quarterback Drew Brees. The Saints have a quite decent running back already in Deuce McAllister if he has recovered from a knee injury.

"We'll come up with enough ways for these guys to get their touches," Saints coach Sean Payton said.

Leinart, who had changed agents in hopes of becoming the first overall pick, watched as the Tennessee Titans chose Texas quarterback Vince Young in the No. 3 spot despite the presence of Leinart's former offensive coordinator, Norm Chow, on Tennessee's staff.

He watched as New York Jets fans in Radio City Music Hall surprisingly cheered the selection of Virginia offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, even though the Jets have no proven healthy quarterbacks.

Six picks later, the Cardinals wasted no time taking a quarterback with a 37-2 collegiate record.

"I was preparing for this because of what teams need," Leinart said. "I'm so excited to be an Arizona Cardinals and be with a great offense. I feel I am going to Arizona for a reason. I think it's a great situation for me."