European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 25, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 34 stars and stripes wednesday april 252007 Louisville re Bush a risky Choice because of broken leg by Vinny do Trail the record Hackensack no the nil draft sometimes produces that Prospect who makes teams drool and shutter at the same time in 2003 he was run Ning Back Willis Mcgahee com ing off knee surgery last year he was cornerback Antonio Cromar tie also rehabbing a knee this years injury risk is Michael Bush who unlike Mcgahee Buffalo and Cromartie san Diego will not be drafted in the first round just How High the Multi talented running Back from Louisville is selected depends on How teams gauge his recovery from a broken leg that Cost him nearly All of last season the 6fooilv2 Inch 243pound Bush was a Heisman trophy favorite entering the 2006 season after Rushing for 1143 Yards and 23 touchdowns in his Junior sea son but after amassing 128 Yards and three ads in a Little More than a half in the opener against Kentucky be went Down with the broken leg Early in the third Quarter against the wildcats Bush knew he was done for the season but he really got scared when he asked the doctor if hed Ever play again i think he thought i asked him if i would come Back this season and he didst want to Tell me no so i was lost Bush recalled i was like of of what is he trying to Tell he Learned the next Day the titanium Rod inserted in his fractured right leg would not end his Ca reer he could have applied for a medical Redshirt season but opted to enter the draft instead in 22 right now and by the time the draft came around next year i would be going on 24 Bush said the class this year is kind of Low with backs i feel i did pretty Good my Junior year and next years class i think will be pretty much filled up with running backs coming out his status took an apparent bit last month when he underwent a second operation to insert another Rod in the leg doctors told him that would allow the leg to heal fully in two months and that he should be ready for training Camp in july the latest report is that with the second operation Bush is about 99 percent recovered but nil teams will think twice about selecting him in the open ing rounds of saturdays draft if s a Gamble Bush admitted but in my mind if s a Good Gam ble if you talk to anybody from Louisville any of my coaches or anybody who has watched me play youll know its a future in vestment draft prospects still get opportunities at a Blu draft from Back Page the heyday for Black schools in the draft came in mid1970s de too tall Jones and Waymond Bryant both from Tennessee state were the nos 1 and 4 Over All picks in 1974 and Walter pay ton Jackson Robert Bra Zile Jackson Gary Johnson Grambling and Tho Mas Henderson Langston were in the top 20 in 1975 but that was at the Tail end of a different social Era the gradual end of segregation slowly eroded the top Talent from the Black schools these Guys that used to go to those Type of schools Are now All at the Luss and teases and so Forth Brandt said Walter pay ton  be at Jackson state today now the Best players on Black College teams Are More or less in the same boat As those at the other Small schools hoping to get noticed by scouts who have been More and More thorough with their research some we rent Good enough to be recruited by a bigger school while others have come fro those schools in search of More playing time two of Hampton prospects transferred from Miami while Pope transferred to Howard from Eastern Michigan but there is still plenty of Pride among the nil players who Hail from Black schools Bethea was Quick to Point out that the Colts super bowl roster also included cornerback Nick Harper fort Valley St and defensive end Rob Ert Mathis Alabama theres a lot of players in the league that come from Small Tracy a Woodwa Vwashington Post Hampton Calvin Banister want invited to the nil Combine but impressed scouts at pro Day with a vertical jump Black schools Bethea said and for us to be successful if s going to help the people who come behind us if s a big Deal to come from a Black College and a Small school for Grafe Woehr Liesheim and Sisseck for More information please Contact Tom at 01726707342 Peterson prepared to make an Impact Oklahoma Star runner believes he can help turn nil team around by Jeff Latzke the associated press Oklahoma City for immediate Impact and turnarounds nil teams usually look for quarterbacks tailback Adrian Peter son believes he fits that Bill too the proof comes in How Peter son started his College career at Oklahoma Peterson reeled off a record set Ting nine straight 100yard Rush ing games to Start his freshman year and set an Mcaa freshman record with 1925 Yards Rushing so think about Luss Jamarcus Russell and notre Dames Brady Quinn but Peterson says not to forget about him i just always set my bar High it Hast failed me yet said Peter son who left the sooner after his Junior season to get an Early shot att enl Hes widely considered the no 1 running Back in a draft class that also includes californian Marshawn Lynch Ohio states Antonio Pittman Louisville Michael Bush and a Burns Kenny Irons Peterson believes Hes earned that distinction All the hard work sweat blood and tears that came along the Way if s starting to pay off said Peterson who was the run Nerup for the Heisman trophy in 2004 and ran for 4045 Yards in three seasons with the sooner that s Why i work to be the Best in redraft visits Peterson has answered questions about his durability after a broken Collarbone last season sidelined him for seven games he was Able to re turn for Oklahoma unforgettable 4342 overtime loss state Irr the fiesta bowl he also missed time with a sprained ankle and a dislocated shoulder while in College the Guys really want to know How Are things going and How if s looking Peterson said tuesday you expect that the 6foot2 Bruiser said he tries to stay away from eve changing mock drafts but thinks theres a reason Hes been slotted so High he believes Hes in position to be a to five pick the coaches the general Man agers the running backs coaches these Are the Guys that watch All of the film and study looking for the smallest things looking at How a running Back controls his body looking at How he picks up Yards after Contact Peterson said just Little Small things like that Peterson still wants to add More of those Little things to his repertoire at Oklahoma pro Day last month Peterson showed off pass catching abilities that were rarely displayed for the sooner his career receiving stats 24 catches for 198 Yards and one touchdown while in College he matured As a pass Blocker after rarely need ing the skill in High school you always have to improve Peterson said i never have sat Back and just been satisfied in my game because i know theres Al ways room for improvement Peterson was flying to new York on tuesday and had appear ances planned through a sponsor ship Deal with Nike in the sunup to saturdays draft he expects hell be somewhat nervous for the draft but figures fill be like a game and tie nerves will go away soon after the Start i really cant say theres any thing that compares to this Peterson said the Only thing that i can do is try to relax and i say try to enjoy this because i really have done All that lean do  your Hometown newspaper Why pay full Price Home delivery Only per week toll free 08001011270 Germany 0800780265 Italy 08000858827 us 080078073 Belgium 08000225203 Netherlands 0900958303 Spain Dan 3498437 email hours of operation of 07001800 Samsun 07301300 european stars and stripes attn circulation dept unit 29480 Apoate 09211