HOUSTON (April 6, 2006) -- Reggie Bush hasn't asked the Houston Texans whether they will use the No. 1 overall pick in the draft to choose him, but he's 99.9 percent certain he'll go first.
The Heisman Trophy-winning running back said the double-talk was dizzying during his first visit to Houston on April 6 to meet with coaches and players.
"I haven't directly asked them that question," Bush said. "They haven't really told me anything directly other than the fact that they're excited for this upcoming draft and that they're excited for me to be a Texan."
The mixed signals came even before Bush arrived at a news conference that concluded his visit in Houston. Team officials hesitated before letting him stand in front of the backdrop covered in team logos for the event.
Bush, who Texans officials saw work out April 2 at Southern California's pro day, said the day's discussions were productive and included what his role would be.
"Similar to the way I was used at Southern Cal," he said. "Being established as a running back first and then splitting out wide playing a little receiver and returning punts and kicks. So pretty much the same."
At the April 2 workout, Bush ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds and had a 40 1/2-inch vertical jump, a standing broad jump of 10-8 1/2 and 24 repetitions bench-pressing 225 pounds.
The Texans are keeping quiet about the top draft pick. Coach Gary Kubiak didn't answer questions about Bush during a separate news conference earlier on the 2006 schedule.
Bush, who ran for 1,685 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, said he would like to end up in Houston.
"There's the challenge of bringing a championship to Houston," he said. "Playing for Coach Kubiak and the new coaching staff. It seems like they have nothing but high expectations for this season and the upcoming seasons."
Bush said wherever he goes, he hopes to get contract negotiations handled quickly so he doesn't miss any time in camp.
"I would hope I could start as soon as possible," he said. "Something I'm looking forward to is being in camp on time. I think that would be a huge factor in me getting in early."
Agent Joel Segal said he hasn't had any contract conversations with the Texans but also wants to get a deal done early.
"It would be great to have a contract done before the draft. That's the ultimate," he said.
In 2002, the Texans announced they would make quarterback David Carr the No. 1 pick two weeks before the draft and finished negotiations before draft day.
No one is expecting that this year, and the Texans haven't ruled out the possibility of trading out of the top pick.
Bush said he isn't concerned about backlash from Texans fans who want the team to draft former Texas quarterback Vince Young. Young, scheduled to work out for the Texans April 7, grew up in Houston and led the Longhorns to a 41-38 victory and a national championship over Bush and the Trojans in the Rose Bowl.
"I would hope it wouldn't turn out that way," Bush said. "I would hope that the city would welcome me with open arms. I know the fans want him to come here. But it's not the fans' choice. It's the choice of the program and the coaches."
Bush met briefly with Carr and said he likes the moves Houston has made since Kubiak was hired to replace fired Dom Capers in January.
"They made some great additions to their offense this year with (receiver) Eric Moulds and a few linemen," he said. "And it just seems like just adding those final few pieces of the puzzle -- hopefully me and a few other guys -- to get this program up and running and hopefully competing for a championship in the next couple of years."
