No one can blame Michael Bush if he tunes out the NFL draft in its entirety next year.
As a college prospect last year, he watched his stock plummet into Day 2 before the Raiders chose him in the fourth round.
As a returning player this year, he saw his depth-chart status potentially skydive when the Raiders picked Arkansas running back Darren McFadden with the fourth overall selection.
For a moment, it looked like Bush's career in Oakland was done before it really started.
"Yeah, I watched it," Bush said during the Raiders' rookie minicamp, which ended Sunday. "At first, I was like, Why do we need another back? It kind of bothered me, but it didn't because he can help us.
"Anytime you can bring in a new weapon on the team, that can help us."
Go ahead and add Bush on that list. He isn't exactly new; he simply feels that way. Bush spent the past three days showing his surgically repaired right leg is dandy as can be expected, as well it should be by now.
He hasn't played football since breaking his leg in the 2006 college season opener. All indications are he'll be ready for the 2008 NFL opener, steel rod and all.
"I think Michael's in a great place right now," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "It was a good challenge for him, for us to have drafted Darren, for him to see that."
Bush's situation doesn't look great from the outside.
Justin Fargas landed a multiyear deal after his 1,000-yard season and McFadden will command serious playing time as a rookie. LaMont Jordan is still around, though the coaching staff keeps neglecting to mention him.
If nothing else, everyone says Bush will get the chance he didn't get last year. Open competition remains the coaching staff's catchphrase. Remember, the Raiders let Fargas came off the bench to overtake Jordan last season.
"I don't care if you were a fourth-round pick, one of the top guys of the SEC (who) ever came out as a runner, if you're Justin Fargas who ran for 1,009 yards," said running backs coach Tom Rathman, who called Bush right after McFadden was drafted to make sure no one took to the ledge.
"Somebody's going to perform for us, and it's going to be at a high level and that's our expectations."
Like Kiffin said, "Who knows? Michael Bush may be the best of the three."
Bush just might have to be in the top two to get on the field.
Fargas has been injured throughout his career, the end of last season included. McFadden likely won't be an every-down back, at least not as a rookie.
At USC, Kiffin employed a two-back system with speedy and versatile Reggie Bush and bruiser LenDale White. If McFadden is a stronger version of Reggie Bush, consider Michael Bush a quicker strongman than White.
Actually, Michael Bush (6-foot-2, 245 pounds) is more like Reggie's current tag-team partner, the Saints' Deuce McAllister (6-1, 232). Like McAllister, Michael Bush has above-average speed for his size and can lower his shoulders for powerful effect.
Bush won't get to make contact until training camp opens in late July. Until then, he'll keep planting his foot and churning his legs, simply to make sure everyone is clear about his leg's health.
"I'm just glad to be doing football plays, getting out there, running around and showing the coaches that I'm healthy, and that I'm fine and I'm ready to play," Bush said. "I think the coaches still know what I can bring to the table as well.
"I'm just ready."
