Taking Pro Stock

Whereas Reggie Bush is a ready-made NFL superstar in New Orleans -- he tore off a 44-yard run on his second carry of an exhibition opener -- his former rival from across town is a shamed superhero in Jacksonville.

Maurice Jones-Drew, the former UCLA running back and current Jaguars rookie, scored a touchdown in an exhibition opener against Miami two weeks ago on a 55-yard catch and run. As part of his celebration, he pulled up his jersey for the TV cameras to reveal a Superman T-shirt underneath. That drew a 15-yard penalty.

“I didn’t know anything was wrong with that,” said Jones-Drew, who went by Drew for most of his college career before adding Jones to honor his late grandfather. “Why not do it? It’s fun. The fans like it, and I’ll do anything to please them.”

Since, Jones-Drew has learned it’s more important to please his coaches. He has done a pretty good job of that, although it doesn’t look as if he’ll be the answer for the Jaguars’ perennial punt-return problems. They were hoping he would be. But Jones-Drew has dropped a lot of punts in practice, and as a result, has dropped on the depth chart at that position. His role this season probably will be as a kick returner and third-down back.

However, his rookie-behaving-badly routine in the end zone pales to that of LenDale White, a second-round pick of the Tennessee Titans. White, a former touchdown machine at USC whose draft stock plummeted as his off-season weight ballooned, made stomach-turning headlines this month when he spit in the face of veteran safety Donnie Nickey during practice, sparking a brawl. Disgusting as it was, the move didn’t cost White a chance; he’s still the third-string running back behind Chris Brown and Travis Henry, and might be the Titans’ best short-yardage runner.

A look at the other NFL rookies from USC and UCLA:

* LB Darnell Bing (USC), Oakland -- Bing was a safety for the Trojans, but the Raiders moved him to linebacker, even though they already have a lot of players at the position. He has played pretty well this summer, showing some of the hitting ability that made him a college standout. He was a fourth-round pick and stands a very good chance of making the roster, but his main contribution will be on special teams.

* OT Ed Blanton (UCLA), New York Jets -- If size were the only factor in determining an NFL lineman, the 6-foot-9, 330-pound Blanton would be in prime position to make the roster. But that’s not the case. He has two right tackles ahead of him on the depth chart, and he’ll be lucky to make the practice squad.

* WR Will Buchanon (USC), Oakland -- Buchanon, who mostly played cornerback at USC, caught four passes in college as a part-time receiver. He matched that total in his first exhibition game for the Raiders, and now has eight catches for 80 yards. He’s the biggest surprise of Raiders camp and stands a fairly good chance of making the team.

* TE Dominique Byrd (USC), St. Louis -- As expected, Byrd has impressed more as a receiver than a blocker. The Rams were hoping he’d battle Joe Klopfenstein, a rookie from Colorado, for the starting job. But so far, the one-two pecking order is clear. The Rams have made moves to clear the path for their young tight ends, though. They didn’t re-sign Cam Cleeland, and they traded Brandon Manumaleuna to San Diego. Among Byrd’s camp highlights: He nearly scored on an 18-yard reception in an exhibition game against Houston.

* CB Marcus Cassel (UCLA), Carolina -- The Panthers like former Bruins -- DeShaun Foster, Mike Seidman, Shaun Williams, and the since-departed Ricky Manning Jr. among them -- but it doesn’t look like they’ll keep this one, unless they sign him to the practice squad.

* LB Spencer Havner (UCLA), Washington -- Miffed that he wasn’t drafted, Havner came to the Redskins with something to prove. He suffered some setbacks in the early going: He was poked in the eye, then slowed by a minor leg injury. He has shown some encouraging signs. Said Gregg Williams, the defensive coordinator: “From a strength and power component, Spencer has a lot of learning to do. He’s really green. But he’s making some strides.” Five linebackers are locks to make the final roster, but even though Havner isn’t one of them, there’s a good chance he’ll make the practice squad.

* OT Winston Justice (USC), Philadelphia -- Justice looked fabulous in the spring, and the Eagles thought he might be ready to step in for William (formerly known as Tra) Thomas, who has struggled with blood clots and back problems. Thomas hasn’t had health problems at camp, however, and that’s a good thing for the Eagles -- Justice’s play has been up and down this summer, with a so-so showing against Oakland followed by a good one against Cleveland.

* RB David Kirtman (USC), Seattle -- When they drafted Kirtman in the fifth round, the Seahawks saw him as a pure fullback who eventually might be able to step in for Mack Strong, who turns 35 next month. It’s not as if that’s changed, but Kirtman could be a casualty of a numbers game. He’s third string behind Strong and Leonard Weaver, who has the speed to double as a reserve halfback. Kick returner Josh Scobey is a running back too, so unless the Seahawks plan to keep six, which isn’t likely, Kirtman is at best destined for the practice squad.

* QB Matt Leinart (USC), Arizona -- A few days after signing a six-year deal with $14 million in guaranteed money, Leinart made up for lost time with a respectable performance in an exhibition game against New England. Even though he’s listed as the No. 3 quarterback, he will be Kurt Warner’s backup. Leinart is taking all the second-string snaps, and current backup John Navarre has been unimpressive.

* TE Marcedes Lewis (UCLA), Jacksonville -- A first-round pick, Lewis was set to make a major contribution. He was going to be, among other things, a safety-valve receiver for Byron Leftwich. That’s still the plan, but it won’t happen right away. Lewis is recovering from a high ankle sprain, among the more insidious injuries football players commonly suffer. It’s unclear how long his recovery will take.

* OG Deuce Lutui (USC), Arizona -- Lutui, a second-round pick, has looked fairly solid at camp but doesn’t appear to be ready to step into the starting lineup. He’s behind starting left guard Reggie Wells on the depth chart and, barring an injury to a starter, Lutui isn’t likely to be on the field any time soon. He will eventually get his chance, though.

* OG Fred Matua (USC), Detroit -- Bad knees and ankles led to a couple of failed physicals before the draft. The seventh-round pick hasn’t done much at training camp, even though a pair of injuries on the right side of the line have created some opportunities. Although Matua is a guard, the Lions have him listed on the depth chart as a center. That’s not a positive sign.

* QB Drew Olson (UCLA), Baltimore -- With Steve McNair, Kyle Boller and Brian St. Pierre ahead of him, Olson doesn’t have much of a chance to make the team. He could be signed to the practice squad, though, and be in position to be a third quarterback or maybe even a backup next season.

* S Jarrad Page (UCLA), Kansas City -- The Chiefs got Page in the seventh round and now consider that one of the steals of the draft. He almost certainly will make the team based not only on his merit as a special-teams player but on the potential that he could start at some point this season. At the moment, he’s backing up veteran free safety Sammy Knight, but the Chiefs are quietly expecting Page and second-round pick Bernard Pollard to be the starters before the end of the year.

* DT LaJuan Ramsey (USC), Philadelphia -- A sixth-round pick, Ramsey is the Eagles’ best surprise this summer. They love his quickness and work ethic, and almost certainly intend to keep him and immediately work him into their regular rotation. He has looked as solid as fellow Philadelphia rookie defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, the 14th overall pick.

* DE Frostee Rucker (USC), Cincinnati -- Rucker’s legal entanglements were big news in Cincinnati when he signed -- he faces misdemeanor charges of spousal battery and vandalism -- but he hasn’t made a huge stir on the field. He has been slowed by a shoulder injury and is listed third on the depth chart at left defensive end. He showed pretty good quickness in the exhibition opener against Washington, knocking down a pass at the line of scrimmage and making four tackles. He stands a good chance of making the team (third-round picks usually do) and should move ahead of injury-slowed backup Jonathan Fanene.

* S John Walker (USC), Houston -- Because the undrafted Walker wasn’t close to being USC’s best cornerback, it surprised a lot of people that he sparked interest among pro scouts. The Texans, who liked his size and raw potential, have moved him to free safety, where he is third-string. He has an outside chance to make the roster based on his special-teams contributions, although the practice squad is more likely.

* S Scott Ware (USC), Philadelphia -- The Eagles like Ware and consider him a hard worker, but they’re overloaded with safeties and probably won’t keep him on the roster. Possibly, they’ll save a spot for him on the practice squad.

* CB Justin Wyatt (USC), Arizona -- The numbers don’t look good: Arizona will keep six corners at most, and Wyatt is fourth string on the right side. There’s a slim chance he could make the practice squad, but other undrafted rookies have made greater strides at camp.