mandarich, klingler, ware, mirer, all good picks... but i gotta go with leaf, only b/c he GAVE UP! he retired at age 27! he collected his millions than just up and left! and once upon a time there was a huge decision looming over the Colts franchise about whether to select Manning or Leaf. Imagine if they had chosen the latter, that franchise would be in shambles! i don't think you can count guys that were chronically hurt, i.e. kj carter, steve emtman, etc. its not their fault.
At least Mandrich eventually had a few productive seasons. Biatbakatuba had injury problems. (Gotta stick up for the Canadians ). Tom Cousineau had a nice career in the CFL. He chose the CFL over the NFL and did very well here. I don’t really call that a bust. Andre Ware, OTOH, blew hard up here too. Todd Mariniovich spent a year up here as a backup. He was gone the next year and there were rumours that he had been addicted to heroin while he was here. How on earth to you do heroin and play football?! Laurence Phillips? Don’t hold your breath, but he’s having a very nice season for the Montreal Alouettes. He’s a bit nicked now, but he had a few strong games at the beginning of the season, and apart from one fairly significant training camp incident, has been a very good citizen. I predict you’ll see him in the NFL next year.
Yeah, Kwame sucked big time in the NFL but at least he was not a 1st rounder. In fact, I don't think he was even drafted but rather a free-agent.
Damn how many Bears can you guys list??? Cade McNown - Huge Bust! He was Ryan Leaf pt 2. Threw too many pics, couldn't stay in the pocket and scarmbled at the wrong times. The #12 pick in 1999, a HUGE bust. Curtis Enis - #5 in the 1998 draft. Had a degenerative condition that forced him to retire in 2001. He decided to return this season with the Browns. I actually liked him more than any of the other bust listed on this page, he was a very big back and powerful. Hope he makes a good comeback with the Browns. Rashaan Salaam (not Rasheed) - this dude had a major ankle injury. He actually put up 1,000yds his rookie season after winning the Heisman out of Colorado. Had some potential before the injury. He was the 21st pick of the first round in 1995. He fumbled too much and smoked weed while playing for the Bears. Non Bears Bust: Ryan Leaf - #1 bust Andre Ware - Heisman Trophy QB from UH Dan McGwire - QB Seattle #16 in 1991 David Klingler - #6 in 1992 QB for Cincinnati out of UH Heath Shuler - QB #3 pick by Washington in the 1994 draft KiJana Carter I could also argue Joey Galloway and Terry Glenn, but they still have a chance to recover. Where has Chad Pennington been also? Buried on the Jets bench I guess...
What about Brian Bozworth? other than him I would go with Leaf/. That mention of Todd Marinovich also brings back some bad memories.
I remember watching an Oilers preseason game vs. the Redskins in Knoxville. Shuler was a rookie or in his first year, but anyways he lit up the Oilers that night. Just thought I'd mention that.
Add Jim Druckenmiller to the list. Ki-Jana Carter and Tommy Maddox are mounting a comeback (ok, as 2nd stringers), so I'll leave 'em alone... for now.
Here's my All-Bust Team ('82-'01): QB - Ryan Leaf (2. SD '98) RB - Ki-jana Carter (1. CIN '95), Blair Thomas (2. NYJ '90) WR - Desmond Howard (4. WAS '92), J.J. Stokes (10. SF '95), Hart Lee Dykes (16. NE '89) OL - Tony Mandarich (2. GB '89), Antone Davis (8. PHI '91), Dave Cadigan (8. NYG '88), Brian Jozwiak (7. KC '86), Willie Anderson (10. CIN '96) DL - Steve Emtman (1. IND '92), Aundray Bruce (1. ATL '88), Mike Mamula (7. PHI '95), Tony Casillas (2. ATL '86) LB - Quentin Coryatt (2. IND '92), Trev Alberts (5. IND '94), Mike Croel (4. DEN '91) DB - Bruce Pickens (3. ATL '91), Mossy Cade (6. SD '84), Patrick Bates (12. OAK '93), Bryant Westbrook (5. DET '97)
What ever happened to him? Wasn't he injured or something? He(Alberts) and Trent Dilfer were the ones that Mel Kiper, Jr. and the Colts GM at the time(?) got into it on draft day, weren't they? That was one of the funniest thing I'd ever witnessed on live t.v.!
When that Super Bowl MVP was drafted 4th to play WR for one team, and after showing no ability whatsoever to play WR in the NFL & getting cut, wins the MVP returning kicks for another team, yeah, I'll call him a bust.
