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Spotlight - RB Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints

Posted on 6/13, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Colin Dowling's Thoughts

In the spring of 2006, the football world was cowering in fear over what was coming next. Defensive ends sat silently in the dark while linebackers cried themselves to sleep. Defensive coordinators turned ghost-white and defensive tackles formed support groups. They were all thinking of the same question for which no one appeared to have an answer:

"What in the world are we going to do when we line up against Reggie Bush?"

As you may remember, Reggie Bush was a pogo-stick shot out of a rocket-launcher in college. An elusive running back in the mold of the game's greatest, coming to the league to redefine the position. He could return kicks. He could catch passes like a receiver. He could run off-tackle, end around, from the shotgun and more. Including recent phenoms like Adrian Peterson, Darren McFadden, and Ricky Williams, no running back in recent memory has inspired more pre-draft chatter than Reggie Bush.

But as it usually happens, the gulf between reality and perception was wider than most fans could have known. The fact is that many NFL defenders have the quickness and agility to tackle Reggie Bush. Many coordinators have just what the doctor ordered to contain him most of the game. And despite a rookie season that saw Bush play an integral -- and statistically productive -- role in the Saints offense, much of the hype from the Spring of 2006 simply hasn't panned out.

Positives

• As a rookie, he benefited immensely from the presence of Deuce McAllister. Bush needs a between-the-tackles bruiser to split the workload to keep him effective. Bush should be used between the tackles as well, but not as the wear-down-the-defense battering ram many teams employee
• Bush also returned 28 punts as a rookie (including one for a touchdown) compared with only 3 last seasons. To get the most out of Bush's undeniable talent, the Saints would be wise to return him to the punt return role a bit
• And finally, as McAllister was injured and Bush was called upon more as a traditional runner in 2007, his yards per reception fell like a rock. The Saints can be counted on to try and reverse that in 2008 by using Bush in more traditional passing situations instead of simply on screens and outlet passes

Negatives

• The Saints can not figure out how to use him. When he's used as a complement to a larger between the tackles runner, Bush can be productive. The problem is that having him on the field only in rare situations signals the defense to the offense's intent to get Bush the ball
• Reggie Bush has yet to demonstrate that he can carry the ball regularly without wearing down. Similarly, Bush has yet to show that he effectively run the ball up the middle in the NFL
• NFL defenders aren't as easily out-run on foot races to the sidelines. Reggie Bush rarely gets a chance to get in the open-field and make things happen as he did in college

Final Thoughts

It is important to remember that Reggie Bush will only be 23 years old in his third season. He is still getting stronger physically and learning more about what works at the NFL level. The Saints no doubt realize he will be at his best when he has a complementary back around a la Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville. In point-per-reception (PPR) leagues, Reggie Bush is still a fantasy goldmine despite his mediocre rushing numbers. And even if Bush's well-known big play ability continues to be neutralized at the NFL level, the Saints will no doubt continue to work at finding a regular role for him in their offense. We expect Bush to warrant consideration in the 2nd or 3rd round as a pick with considerable upside. Reggie Bush hasn't looked like the same running back in the NFL as he was in college, but his talent is undeniable and the Saints will no doubt continue to tinker with his role until they find a way to get the most out of him.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

Ministry of Pain:
He will still be a top10 in PPR leagues. He has almost no one pushing him for touches. Pierre Thomas was a nice story at the end of the year, but talk about taking 1 game and making projections...people that blow up Thomas are simply Bush haters. The fact Deuce is being drafted after his 2nd ACL injury is ridiculous.

Frenchy Fuqua:
Watching Aaron Stecker perform the Reggie Bush role better than Reggie Bush last year really soured me on Bush. The guy is still a PPR-top 10 pick but he just doesn't break or elude enough tackles to be an elite RB in the NFL. Throw in injury concerns and he'll always be a risk in my opinion.

For 2008 it sounds like Deuce will be back in the mix and perhaps Pierre Thomas. On the positive it sounds like Bush is working out with the coaches and team this offseason so there's always the possibility he could get to the next level. But until he does I'll be skeptical.

gianmarco:
The play calling last year for the Saints was simply abysmal and they just did not use Reggie effectively. Add on to the fact that Deuce went down and Bush was asked to be an inside, carry the load guy for the first time and it just didn't work. If you want to look at what Bush is capable of, just look at the 2nd half of 2006. That is how he is best used and how I hope the Saints design their offense this year. Whether it's Deuce or someone else that gets the role as the between-the-tackle runner is uncertain at this point, but hopefully it's someone so that Bush can SHARE the lead role with a 2nd RB. But those of you that are simply looking at his YPC and are discouraged are missing the big picture on him, IMO.

rzrback77:
Reggie Bush has struggled to meet expectations in the NFL. That was likely due to how high they were however. Personally, I would not draft Reggie Bush as a RB1 unless it is a ppr league. I just think that his team has other running options with Deuce and Pierre Thomas, Reggie has not proven that he can consistently make the tough yards, and also the Saints throw the ball so well. He has continued to be drafted on that initial hype and goes too early for me.

He rushed 157 times in 07 compared to 155 in 06, even while missing four games, but that was because of the McAllister injury. His ypc increased from 3.6 to 3.7, bit I am not optimistic of much more than that because he has too many lost yardage plays. I think that he will continue to get lots of targets and catch lots of passes, but the TDs and yards rushing will disappoint.

Reggie Bush Projections