"......., D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Offensive Tackle, University of Virginia."  Now these are not really the words I'm expecting to hear uttered by NFL Comissioner Paul Tagliabue on April 29 at approximately 12:17 pm when he introduces the first pick in the draft.  More than likely, we will hear the name "Bush," or "Young," or "Leinart" along with the first pick.  Much of the debate in cyberspace as well as on the radio and television revolves around the big three and I'm here to tell you that even though the analysts and commentators are paid to give their opinions (while your humble scribe works for free) that doesn't mean they are making the right call.  Most analysts believe Bush will go to the Texans, Leinart goes into the witness protection program that we affectionately call the Saints and Young goes to the Titans to hold the clipboard until Steve McNair breaks and ankle or bruises his sternum by week three of the season.  Most analysts are predicting Ferguson to go at the four spot to the East Rutherford Jets (unless the Jets take LenDale White).  Now I agree that this is how things will probably turn out but I'm here to tell you why I think things should turn out differently.  The following are the top five reasons that the Houston Texans should select D'Brickashaw Ferguson with the first pick in the draft:

#5 - You must protect David Carr.  68 sacks, 424 yards lost, 17 fumbles, six fumbles lost, number one pick in 2002 NFL Draft, slated to receive an $8 million roster bonus which locks him up as the franchise quarterback through the 2008 season but he will not get there is they don't start overhauling the offensive line.  Bush won't protect Carr and there is no way to know if Young or Leinart could step in and produce immediately next year which is what the Texans need to keep their fans happy.  Some say the fans would be upset if they pass on Leinart or Young, a local legend but I think the fans would be more upset if the Texans abandoned a four year plan of building around David Carr and went with a second quarterback chosen with the number one pick in the draft in five years.  That would show a franchise lacking a plan.

#4 - Skill players are not the problem.  The Cowboys of the '90s originated the idea of building around a "big three," a solid quarterback, running back and receiver.  Now I'm not saying Carr/Davis/Johnson are as good as Aikman/Smith/Irvin but they are definately serviceable.  David Carr still completed over 60% of his passes and threw 14 touchdowns even under fire.  Davis ran for just under 1000 yards, averaged 4.2 yards per carry and caught 39 passes.  Andre Johnson caught 63 passes while being double-teamed for most of the season.  The biggest difference between the Cowboys of the 90's and the Texans of today is the Offensive Line.  Chester Pitts, the starting Left Tackle is a 329 pound turnstile and without better protection from the Left Tackle spot, the Texans offense will continue to stumble.

#3 - History says "draft a left tackle!"  While the jury is still out on Robert Gallery (2004 #2 pick), we can see that other tackles taken in the top 10 spots have paid BIG dividends for their teams.  Going back to 1997 we see the following tackles chosen in the top 10 spots have all made it into the playoffs and a couple have won Superbowls:

2003 - Jordan Gross - #8 pick - Carolina Panthers: Lose Foster, lose Davis and Goings can still torch you.  Who do you think he's running behind?

2002 - Levi Jones - #10 pick - Cincinnatti Bengals: Corey Dillon is a thousand yard rusher.  He leaves and Rudi Johnson becomes a thousand yard rusher.  Carson Palmer looks relaxed in the pocket and has a Pro-Bowl caliber season.  It's easy to be relaxed in the pocket when you aren't getting sacked 60+ times a season.

2000 - Chris Samuels - #3 pick - Washington Redskins: After many seasons of mediocrity, the once proud franchise seems to be turning it around and a lot of the credit should go to the franchise tackle.

1998 - Tra Thomas - #11 pick - Philadelphia Eagles:  Allright, he was a number 11 pick but that's just one off.  Is there any questions that the fortunes of McNabb and the Eagles franchise turned around with the development of Deland High School's most famous football alum?

1997 - Orlando Pace - #1 pick - St. Louis Rams AND Walter Jones - #6 pick - Seattle Seahawks: One has a Superbowl ring and the other could have one in three weeks.  Warner and Faulk, Hasselbeck and Alexander...who do you think is protecting these guys?

1996 - Jonathan Ogden - #4 pick - Baltimore Ravens: Cornerstone of a mediocre offense and helped Jamal Lewis to the third highest season rushing total in NFL history.  Has a Superbowl ring.  If the best GM in sports, Ozzie Newsome, would spend a high pick on a franchise Left Tackle, why wouldn't the Texans?

1995 - Tony Boselli - #2 pick - Jacksonville Jaguars: Helped lead an expansion team to the AFC Divisional Championship game.  probably would have been the greatest of all time if career wasn't cut short by injuries (although his career was still longer than the career of the average NFL running back).

So as you can see, if the Texans look to history instead of bowing to popular opinion, they should make the right call and draft Ferguson.

#2 - Too many questions about Reggie Bush.  Bush looked very mortal against a Texas defense that was still stronger than even the weakest NFL defenses.  He had more weapons around him in college to take the pressure off of him.  You don't get Washington State and Arizona on the schedule in the NFL.  Only carried the ball more than 20 times in a game three times in his career.  You should read what Peter King (the best in the business) has to say about the Bush/Ferguson debate.  Actually, if you are a football fan, you just need to read Peter King period.

#1 - Did you see the pictures of him up top?  Ferguson is a prototype Left Tackle.  6'6", 295 pounds, runs about a 5.0 second 40.  According to Scott Wright's Draft Countdown; "(Ferguson) has rare athletic ability for the position...Feet are second to none and he is like a big dancing bear...Extremely quick and agile with outstanding mobility...Balance is outstanding...Has long arms...Is amazing in pass protection...Has a large frame with a lot of growth potential...Smart player who is constantly improving...Still has a lot of upside...Is very durable...Has a ton of experience having started at left tackle as a true freshman...Character and intangibles are outstanding." 

There are obviously some Houston fans that have warmed to the idea that Ferguson is a possible pick for the Texans.  He has been profiled on a few Texans fan websites including this one.  Hopefully the movement will gain momentum and the crazy idea that the commish could be calling D'Brickashaw's name on April 29 at 12:17 pm may become a reality.