NFL's Top 3 Busts through 2000-2007
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by NCNative704
In the NFL today, you have phenomenal players like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and many more. But then....then you have those horrible ones. You know, the players that have so much hype coming out of college and just blow it in their first season in the big leagues. Those are what you called busts. Here are the top 3 busts in the NFL today.
3. Peter Warrick: Even though Warrick was almost a Heisman caliber player for his senior year in Florida State University, it did not show up in his NFL career. After being in trouble with the law in his senior season at FSU, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round, 4th pick overall. Warrick still had lots of hype before the season began, but they would change after his rookie season. He was only able to put up 51 receptions, 592 yards, and four touchdowns in his rookie season. Warrick still struggled the following two years, putting up 70 receptions, 667 yards, and 1 touchdown in 2001 and 53 receptions, 606 yards, and 6 touchdowns in 2002. Then came along Chad Johnson out of Oregon State University. But despite his starting job that was taken away by Johnson, he still had the best season of his career with 79 catches, 819 yards, with 7 touchdowns. Just when things were looking good for Warrick, everything went wrong. In 2004, he was nailed with injuries the whole season, causing him to miss most of it. He was replaced by T.J. Houshmandzadeh, a 7th round draft pick, who had the best season of his career. Warrick was later dropped by the Bengals, signing with the Seattle Seahawks. In 2005, he only posted up 11 receptions for 180 yards with the Seahawks. He was later cut before the 2006 season. Warrick then tried out the AFL, making a deal with the Las Vegas Gladiators. After being a "no-show" in Vegas, he was placed on the "refused to report" list. He is now planning a comeback to the NFL.
2. Charles Rogers: He was one of the greatest college wide outs playing for Michigan State University. He holds two school records for most touchdowns in a career with 27 and most yards in a game with 270. Would all of that success carry through to the professional level? Rogers was drafted 2nd overall to the Detroit Lions, in front of future Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson in 2003. Everything was looking great for Roger's career, catching 22 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns in his first five games of his rookie season. That was before he would break his collarbone when practicing speed drills with teammate Dre' Bly. He was injured for the remaining of the 2003 season, ending his hopes for the Rookie of the Year award. Rogers was expected to come back with a great season in 2004, but he proved everybody wrong. In only the third play of the 2004 season, he would once again break his collarbone again, ending his 2004 season with no stats at all. In 2005, being healthy after his collarbone injuries, Rogers was suspended four games for a third violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. After his suspension, despite the fact he was healthy, Rogers was only able to put up mediocre stats. In nine games of the 2005 season, he had 14 receptions for 197 yards with only a touchdown. He was later cut by the Lions before the beginning of the 2006 season. After his release, he worked out for the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, all three rejecting him from joining the team. He then worked out with the Kansas City Chiefs, failing the workout after running a 4.8 40 yard dash. In the NFL Combine, he ran a fantastic 4.28 40 yard dash. Rogers is now teamless and sitting in free agency. Due to his lack of passion for the sport, he earns the 2nd spot in the Top 3 busts.
1. Ryan Leaf: When Leaf entered the 1998 draft, he was compare to many greats such as Elway, Aikman, and Steve Young. Him and Peyton Manning were considered to be amongst the best in the NFL during the draft as well. The San Diego Chargers drafted Leaf for the 2nd overall pick in the draft after trading away their first round pick, second round pick, and four-time Pro Bowler Eric Metcalf to the Arizona Cardinals. After Leaf was signed, he said a quite humorous sentence: "I'm looking forward to a 15 year career, a couple trips to the Super Bowl, and a parade through downtown San Diego. But the Chargers' high expectations for Leaf were crushed after the third game of his rookie season when he produced one of the worst games for an NFL quarterback. He posted up 1 completion out of 15 attempts, four measly yards with two interceptions against the Kansas City Chiefs. He was later benched an replaced by quarterback Craig Welihan. Leaf finished the season with two touchdown passes and 13 intercepted passes. Leaf's bad relationship with the media and his teammates wasn't helping matters better either. After demanding a reporter not to speak with him, he had to be restrained by his teammate Junior Seau. Then in training camp, he had to be restrained by his coaches after speaking words with a mouthy Chargers' fan. In his 2nd season in the NFL, he suffered a shoulder injury which kept him out for the whole season. He was placed on the injured reserved, but still made it into the media after a shouting match between himself and general manager Bobby Beathard. He was fined and suspended without pay, leading to an apology to the Chargers' organization. In 2000, Leaf started in the first two games, only to produce horrible numbers, throwing five interceptions, but only one touchdown. He was replaced by back-up Moses Moreno, but he suffered a strained knee ligament, which would end his season, giving Leaf the starting position. But in a week 4 game, he injured his wrist while throwing an interception, keeping him benched until week 11. Of course, he would struggle to perform atleast average, still favoring his throwing wrist. The Chargers had no choice but to release him after the season's end.
After Leaf was released by the Chargers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him, expecting to improve his abilities. But, Leaf's wrist was not fully healed and refused to get surgery on it, even though his doctors highly recommended it. After horrible performances in all four of the preseason games, the Buccaneers asked Leaf to accept a lower salary. He rejected it, forcing the Bucs to released him five days before the season opening game of 2001. Leaf would then attempt a comeback with the Dallas Cowboys, who signed him a few weeks after he was released by the Bucs. But like the Bucs, he was soon released after 4 games, all losses. He threw for 494 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. He then signed with the Seattle Seahawks and retired at the age of 26. Leaf finished his career with 3,666 yards, 14 touchdowns, and a horrifying 36 interceptions. With those stats, you are just asking for the top spot in the NFL's top 3 busts. He also made the number one spot in ESPN's list of Biggest Sports Flops through the years of 1979 and 2004.
