HOUSTON (AP) -Mario Williams and Reggie Bush have been inextricably linked since Houston's stunning decision to pick the defensive end over the Heisman Trophy winner with the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft.
After a year and a half of constant debate and discussion about the pair, they'll meet for the first time on Sunday when the Texans (4-5) host the Saints (4-5).
The two approached the hype of their first matchup very differently. Bush, who was drafted second, thinks they'll always be linked by the draft and doesn't mind that.
"That's fine," the running back said. "I feel like it's more of a negative thing for him and not for me."
Indeed.
While Bush was initially stung by the Texans' draft snub, it was Williams who had to endure boos on draft day and constant criticism throughout last year as he and Houston struggled while the Saints made the NFC championship.
"People are always comparing, people are always saying how Houston made a mistake," Bush said. "But ... I'm not worried about it. I'm sure he's not worried about it."
Williams was as deft at avoiding discussion of that draft as Bush can be in evading an open-field tackle.
When asked if Sunday's game was about him going against Bush, Williams simply said, "No." Asked he'd like to elaborate, reporters got the same one-word answer.
When prodded about why he was downplaying the situation, Williams finally answered with more than a word.
"I'm not playing Reggie, I'm playing the Saints," Williams said. "He's part of the team and we have to control the whole game, not just him. Especially with Drew (Brees) back there; when he's hot, he's hot. I know we have things we have to worry about. It's not a one-man team."
Bush said he isn't out to prove the Texans erred in not picking him, and he's happy to be with the Saints. However, if he were in charge of the draft, he'd certainly have been the No. 1 pick.
"Of course," he said with a chuckle. "What kind of question is that? Who wouldn't pick themselves first if they had the opportunity?"
