Last week was the week of the Workout Warrior–so this week is The Draft Bust.
There are lots of definitions for a draft bust–some would even call Workout Warriors like Mike Mamula a bust (although I don’t know how a guy who had a couple of 8 sack seasons could be a complete bust).
In The Football Card Blog’s world, it’s definitely still a subjective definition–but here’s the basic criteria:
- you have to be a high draft pick–there’s no specific cut-off for how high, but you have to be high enough that you’re either considered a sure thing, or there are other sure things on the board when you’re picked
- obviously you have to not live up to the expectations
- freak injuries that prevent you from performing don’t make you a bust. Injuries or events that should have come up in pre-draft scouting could make you a bust.
I’m sure there are more factors, but those seem like the biggies. So who’s representing the Draft Busts in the Card Hall of Fame?
It’s Green Bay Packers 1989 1st Round Pick (2nd overall) Tony Mandarich, offensive lineman out of Michigan State. The featured card is his 1991 Upper Deck card, #232. It’s the second 1991 Upper Deck Card featured (after the infamous Tommy Hodson), and it books for the same nickel that Hodson’s does. I pulled this card from one of my recent retail tins of mixed junk, which is probably why he’s featured.
Mandarich was named first team All-American in 1988, was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, was a two-time Big Ten Lineman of the Year, and was nicknamed “The Incredible Bulk” in a Sports Illustrated cover story leading up the 1989 draft. The exposure lead to him being selected #2 overall by the Pack, and along with it came some sky high expectations.
Unfortunately, Madarich was also a lightning rod for some contreversy–from apparently challenging Mike Tyson to a fight, to referring to Green Bay as “a village” and holding out until the last week of preseason. Without preperation time, Mandarich was largely limited to special teams in his first season, and lackluster play combined with attitude problems led to him being cut after three years. There were rumors of steroid use as part of the reason for Mandarich’s failure (as in he couldn’t use them anymore in the NFL), which Mandarich has consistently denied.
After four years away from the NFL, Mandarich signed with the Indianapolis Colts, and had a three year run with them before retiring for good in 1998.
So is Mandarich the biggest bust out there? No, definitely not. Ryan Leaf jumps to mind, as another #2 overall pick, and my own Minnesota Vikings still deserve to be mocked and ridiculed for taking Dimitrius Underwood in the first round (although 29th overall is a bit of a stretch to be considered a bust, but drafting a guy who missed his entire senior year and who’s own college coaches were warning scouts about his mental stability).
But, I remember the hype around Mandarich when he came into the league, and watching him seemingly fail at everything in the NFL–to manage to get the Packers fan base, as loyal and rabid as any in the league, to turn on a #2 overall pick in less than one season is an incredible feat.
