The Texans have to go USC, right?

Chris Berman: Welcome everybody to New York City, and ESPN’s live coverage of the 2006 NFL… Chris Berman: Welcome everybody to New York City, and ESPN’s live coverage of the 2006 NFL Draft. To my right, ESPN’s own “NFL Live” analysts Sean Salisbury and Mark Schlereth, and to my left, last year’s MVP from the San Diego Chargers, LaDainian Tomlinson. We’ll also be checking in with Mel Kiper, Jr. down on the floor periodically as events unfold. Gentlemen, a lot of speculation going around about which scenarios will pan out during our daylong broadcast: will the Texans go for Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, or could they pick another Trojan, Matt Leinart? Perhaps patience is running out for David Carr in Houston. Only time will tell, but let’s get started. Here’s commissioner Tagliabue.

Paul Tagliabue: Welcome everyone to the 2006 NFL Draft. The Houston Texans have the first pick and are now on the clock.

Chris Berman: Okay, Houston on the clock. If you’re Dom Capers, what’s going through your mind?

Sean Salisbury: Well first of all I wouldn’t want to be Dom Capers because chances are I won’t have a job in the next couple of years. But if I’m the Houston Texans, there’s really not a pick that can hurt here. However, they could use either Reggie Bush at receiver or running back, because Domanick Davis averaged around four yards a carry last season with only four touchdowns.

Mark Schlereth: True, however they could also use this pick to bulk up their offensive line which was abysmal last season, allowing David Carr to be sacked 67 times. I remember when I was still playing in Denver, the most intricate part of our running game was our offensive line. And don’t forget, the Raiders took Robert Gallery second overall two years ago. I’m looking at D’Brickashaw Ferguson, offensive tackle from Virginia. He most likely would have gone in the top ten last year had he come out. Instead, he stayed for his senior season, got bigger, perfected his technique and at least two or three teams are chomping at the bit to draft this guy.

LaDainian Tomlinson: But never underestimate the power of a quarterback controversy, Mark. If Houston takes Matt Leinart, it could potentially be win-win, like what happened with us in San Diego. When Philip Rivers came in to replace Drew, it created the healthy competition where Drew stepped up his play and, with my help of course, got us into the playoffs.

CB: There’s the Houston Texans’ war room, general manager Charley Casserly, coach Capers both busy on the phone. You’ve got to wonder who they’re talking to. Let’s go down to Mel to find out.

MK: Chris, I’ve just received word from inside sources that the Texans’ front offices have talked with Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, D’Brickashaw Ferguson and A.J Hawk from the Ohio State Buckeyes. They have just about five minutes left on the clock, and as I look over at Reggie Bush’s table to my left, he is talking on his cell phone as we speak. We’ll try to find out who’s on the other line as soon as we can, Boomer.

CB: Thank you Mel. See all of the prospects down at their respective tables with their families. Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart and Vince Young, Heisman runner-up who said he would return to Texas for his senior season initially, but left for the glory and the promise of a top-round pick here in the NFL. And Mel now has Reggie Bush. Let’s go back down.

MK: Reggie, we saw you on your cell phone not moments ago, was it coach Capers and the Texans?

Reggie Bush: That’s really none of your business, Mel.

MK: -Back to you Boomer.

CB: Wow. Reggie Bush with a stern answer, possibly angry, upset, who knows? Anything could happen on draft day. And here comes Commissioner Tagliabue, we’re about to get at least one answer to some very important questions. Here’s the commissioner-

PT: With the first pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select D’Brickashaw Ferguson, offensive tackle, University of Virginia.

MS: Yes! In your face Salisbury!

CB: Wow! Very unexpected, the Texans going with “D’Brick-house:” D’Brickashaw Ferguson from Virginia-and the Texans fans in the house are not pleased. Blanket of boos coming from the balcony.

SS: But remember Boomer, Eagles fans booed Donovan McNabb when they first drafted him out of Syracuse.

MS: They also booed Santa Claus.

LT: Why am I here?

CB: All right, when we come back, the San Francisco 49ers on the clock. Could Alex Smith and Reggie Bush, former high school teammates, have a long-awaited reunion? We’ll see when we return.

Pat Mitsch was chosen first overall in the staff writer draft by The Pitt News. E-mail him at prm17@pitt.edu.