Re: Michael Bush's Combine Transcript <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Transcript of Louisville RB Michael Bush (6-1?, 242.5 pounds)(How is the leg healing?)Pretty good. It's getting better everyday, every week. I'm doing a lot of light plyometrics, skipping and things like that. So it's coming around pretty good.(What are you doing this week?)Today was a beauty pageant for me, kind of get up there and take my shirt off and let them know I've been working and trying to get my body lean. That's about it.(Is the broken leg the No. 1 question?)I haven't had interviews yet but I'm pretty sure it's coming. So I think that would be the No. 1 question.(What are you going to tell them?)I'm going to tell them to me its doing good. It might take a little time, but in my mind it's only been five months. They said six-to-eight months to heal. My pro day is March 26. That's when I expect to run my 40, so that's the goal right now.(Has it been fun at the combine?)Just being around all these good guys and great players that's going to be good in the league, it just motivates me.(Are you the dark horse of the draft?)Maybe. I think I kind of got lost when I got the injury. But that's expected, that's what happens when you go down. But good players will bounce back and stay strong and positive. Hopefully good things will happen.(What's you weight now compared to your playing weight?)My playing weight before the injury was 252. When I got hurt, I got to 261. I went to API out in Arizona and now I'm down to 243. My body fat was 19 percent when I got in there, now it's down to 13.5 (percent). That's doing all of that without actually running. So I've been working, so I'm not going to say I haven't been.(Have you ever been this lean?)No. I think this is the best I've looked in a long time.(What will that do for your running style?)Nothing. Probably make me a little quicker, that's it.(What NFL back do you resemble?)Jamal Lewis is good. I bring a combination of power, speed, a little finesse. Catching out of the backfield, I would do good.(Throwing the ball?)If I can I'd love to do that, too.(Are you a long-term NFL starter?)I want to be one of those guys classified as an every down back. That's one of my goals. That's kind of how I go into the game. I can catch the ball and third-and-1 I can get you an extra yard if I need to. That's what I want to do.(On lack of receiving numbers)At Louisville, our offense was loaded so you can't get receptions. Coach (Bobby) Patrino did a good job of spreading the ball around when he was there. So as long as I got some carries here and there and we were winning, that was fine with me.(Could you have gotten a medical redshirt?)I got cleared for the medical but I didn't want to take it. I felt like I'm 22 right now. By the time the draft came around next year I would be going on 24. The class this year is kind of low with backs. I feel I did pretty good my junior year, and next year's class I think will be pretty much filled up with running backs coming out.(Any second guessing?)No, I haven't second guessed myself. It's just one of those things you have to be patient. Right now it's something I can't control. I'm just staying positive and I should be okay.(Did you question if you would ever play again?)No. That was one of the first questions: Would I be able to play again? I kind of got ignored because I don't think the doctor understood what I was asking. It kind of made me nervous. But at the same time you have people that get paralyzed and bounce back and able to walk. I feel like it's a challenge for me and it's something that will make me stronger and a better person. So I felt like I could overcome anything.(On being a cheerleader for the team last season)Yes I did. I was picked to be captain of the team, so I felt it was my job to be a leader and motivate the guys and encourage them to do good. That was one of my jobs and I think I was pretty good at it.(How bitter sweet was their success?)It was nice. They stuck with the gameplan. With me being down it didn't really mess up the season. Everybody came together and even got closer as a team, and they fought to the end. They had a great season.(Where should you be drafted?)I don't know. I think I should go first round. That's my opinion if you go based off what I did last year. Guys hurt themselves like Willis McGahee. You got a whole lot of guys who don't test at the combine and they went first round, and you see what they're doing now. They're doing good.(Do you feel you lost out on a lot of money?)Yeah, but at the same I think I can pick it up in endorsement deals. I'm a nice guy. I'm humble.(Will you do any drills?)No.(Do you have anything in your leg?)Yes. I have a titanium rod and two screws.(Are teams concerned?)No, they're not too concern. They just want to make sure everything is healing fine. That's really about it.(How much have you progressed since the Orange Bowl?)Basically the same thing. I've been squatting when the injury happened. Lower leg press, I've just been doing about everything. Just when it comes to running, it's not ready for me yet.(When is your pro day?)March 26th.(Will you run?)That's what I expect to do, yes.(Will the rod stay in?)The rod will be staying in. To me, as long as long as I'll be playing and it's not bothering me, it will be staying in.(Who's your agent?)His name is Todd France. I think he's doing a good job. He's letting me know what's going on and who he's talking to. He just tries to tell me to stay positive about a lot of things and let everything work out. He's basically saying everything that my family would say.(Will you need a learning curve with the time off?)I might have to get adjusted to the game again, but not necessarily a learning curve. I think I came from a good system and can pick up where I left off. I'll be ok.(Do you have a knack for touchdowns?)When I'm inside the 25, I can kind of look like that's my home and I'm trying to get there. If you want to call it that, yeah, I'll take it.(Draft plans)I'll be in Louisville with my family. I might not be there with them, but I'll be in Louisville just praying and hoping that I go early.(Did you take out an insurance plan?)Yes I did, just for my senior year in case I can't play and get hurt. I could collect on it.(Did you collect?)No, not right now. Things are looking too good, so I'll take it this way.(On bench)I've been benching, trying to get my 220 going on. I can probably get in the 20 range.(As a high school prospect)Originally, I suppose to play quarterback but things change. I'm glad I got moved to running back. I picked it up kind of good, playing the running back position.(What do you remember about playing against LeBron James?)My junior year in high school. I remember we stopped him for five points in the first half but he finished the game with 37.(Did you guard him?)No, I did not. I give him his credit. I think I had like 23 points and 10 rebounds, pretty solid.(Do you still play)Nah, not really. But I still think I got the jumper.(Can you carry the load as a rookie?)I'd love to. I considered me being injured is kind of a plus, because I saved my body for a year. So that's how I look at it. I think I'll be excited to get on the field and have some fun.(On asking the doctors about his leg)I asked him when I got put into the ambulance. I think he thought I asked him if I would come back this season, and he didn't want to tell me no. So I was lost. I was like 'Oh, oh, what is he trying to tell me?' So I figured it out the next day after I had my surgery that I wouldn't be back for the season. It was a little scary.(Any additional damage?)No ligament damage. I didn't dislocate my ankle or turn my knee. It's just a clean break. I'll be 100 percent.(Have you seen the tape of the play?)No, I haven't. Me and one of my teammates were debating whether it was on YouTube or not, because everything is on You Tube. He pulled it up, but I didn't want to look at it. I want to watch it, but I don't want to jinx myself again so I may stay away from it for a while.(Do you remember when Willis McGahee was injured?)Yes, I did in the championship game. Him and another guy, Antonio Cromartie out of Florida State, he tore his knee up and still went high in the draft. So it kind of runs through your mind.(On being examined and re-examined at the combine)I kind of like it. I can take off my shirt now with confidence. It's fun. I don't have any joint problems so I'm not going to be sore like the rest of these guys.(Official height, weight)They said 6-1?. I think I'm 6-2. They said 242.5 (pounds). I'd say I'm 243.(Have you talked to Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Patrino)No I haven't seen him. I know when I took my shirt off to weigh in, I seen him there smiling at me. So I liked that. But other than that, I haven't talked to him. I'm pretty sure I have a meeting set up with him, so we'll talk about it.(Have you talked to any teams yet?)No, I haven't. I spent my day in the hospital yesterday, trying to get the physicals and everything taken care of.(How hard was it to give up being a quarterback?)Not hard. As long as the ball is in my hands I enjoy the game of football. I played different things coming up so I was ok with it.(Will you get your speed back?)Yes. They said this leg will be stronger and better than it was before.(How do you look at defenders?)Well it depends. If it's one-on-one, me and him, make a move and make him miss. If it's third-and-one, make him go for it and try to take his lunch money. If it's me and him in the hole with nowhere else to go, then take the guy out. So it's different things.(Anyone you looking forward to facing?)No, I'm not going to get up here and talk about no Brian Urlacher or nobody like that. So just being there period is the excitement. Just playing the game you love, that's about it.(Are you considered athletic type of running back?)I consider myself as an athletic running back. I feel like basketball allowed me to have good feet, slide my feet and make moves.(Do you still need to learn the game?)Yes I do. There are a whole lot of things that I don't know yet. Hopefully I get on the right team, the system and the coach can help me out.(Are you physical enough?)I think I'm physical enough. If it's third-and-two or third-and-three and I need the first down, I can get to the corner or put my shoulders down and I can get it for you.</div>
Re: Michael Bush's Combine Transcript Good Attitude, glad to see he's gotten himself into shape. His weights in an acceptable range, I'd like to see him drop the body fat some more, but it sounds like he could be that big bruising Runningback the Jets are looking for. :thumbsup:
