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RB Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints

HT: 6-0, WT: 200, Born: 3-2-1985, College: USC, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 2

2008 Projections

Best Case

Reggie Bush will be entering his 3rd NFL season this year, which is often the time that young players suddenly "get it" and hit their stride at the pro level. With Deuce McAllister's status uncertain and no other threat to Bush's playing time on the horizon, we could see Bush blossom into an effective every-down back with the Saint's potent offense this year. If Bush can consistently gain 4 or more yards per carry and get back to averaging more than 8 yards per reception during 2008, he could join Brian Westbrook as a highly dangerous dual-threat back, with legitimate top-5 fantasy RB potential.

Worst Case

Bush could continue to struggle as the featured back, with a sub-4.0 yards per carry average and mediocre yardage as a receiver - similar to last year's results. If McAllister does make it back to near 100%, Bush's carries could decrease significantly during 2008, leaving him more in the change-of-pace/3rd down back role. If Bush is reduced to a role-player during 2008, he could post another sub-1000 yards-combined season with few touchdowns to his credit.

Outlook

Bush is likely to be a solid RB2 during 2008, with an upside in the top-10 range and a floor somewhere around the mid-20's. He doesn't look like a 25+ touch-a-game back at this stage in his career, so his owners are likely going to have to be content with Bush as a significant contributor to a running-back-by-committee (whether the "other" back is Deuce McAllister or Aaron Stecker matters very little from the fantasy perspective).

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Bush had a disappointing first game as only had 45 total yards of offense. He had six carries for 21 yards rushing in the first half. He picked up a nine yard gain on an end around in the first quarter which would be his longest play from scrimmage all game. Bush did get a first down on a seven yard carry on a rare run up the middle that helped set up set up the Saints only offensive points of the game. The tough Colts pass defense held Bush to only two catches for a negative three yards in the first half. Things didn't get much better for Bush in the second half as he was held to 17 yards rushing and ten yards receiving. The Colts speedy defense did a good job of containing Bush and covering him in the open field.

Week 2 - Bush really could not get much going on the ground, totaling 27 yards on ten carries with a long of just ten yards. He did receive a goal line carry on the play before the Karney touchdown, and was used as a decoy on the ensuing score. His main contribution came in the passing game, with six receptions for 43 yards on eight targets. Bush did have two fumbles in the game, but the Saints were able to recover both of them.

Week 3 - Bush was well contained by the Titans defense and was limited to one yard or less on five of his seven carries (though two of those carries were one yard TD runs). As usual, he was quite active in the passing game, catching six of eight balls sent his way (he was targeted two other times on plays negated by penalties). Bush's mediocre stat lines are becoming disturbingly common, though the two TD's saved him in this case.

Week 5 - Bush was heavily involved in the game plan, with 21 carries and nine receptions. Bush saw much of rushing yardage on runs designed to go outside, but he would run out of bounds rather that try to pick up extra yards. Where Bush was most impressive was on runs between the tackles, and he was able to consistently pick up the necessary yards to keep the two long drives alive. Bush did have one reception called back due to an offensive pass interference penalty.

Week 6 - Bush had a great game, earning 141 total yards from scrimmage. He was the Saints' workhorse, especially in the first half, where he had the three longest rushes of his career. Bush used his exceptional quickness and speed to get around defender, while he attempts to go through them were generally much less effective. He was the second most targeted Saints player.

Week 7 - Bush's biggest contribution came on a screen pass to the outside with five minutes remaining in the game, where he was initially stopped at the two yard line, but fought for the extra yards and spun out for a touchdown. His longest run on the day was for nine yards, as he averaged just 3.2 yards per carry against the Falcons defense.

Week 8 - Bush went over 100 combined yards, but left the game in the third quarter with what appeared to be a rib injury. The game was well in hand when he was sidelined, so it's hard to say whether the injury was serious or if the Saints were just playing it safe by resting their star.

Week 9 - Bush played with great determination, taking on defenders routinely instead of trying to run around them when he carried the ball. When he caught the ball in the passing game, he showed more of an inclination to attempt to use his speed, with moderate success. He was in the game for the majority of the Saints' red zone possessions, and scored touchdowns rushing and receiving. Bush gave a very focused and strong effort throughout the game.

Week 10 - Outside of the seven yard touchdown run for RB Reggie Bush, he was ineffective on the ground. He nearly had another rushing touchdown late in the game but was forced out of bounds at the one yard line when he was handed the ball in the middle but opted to run outside. Bush was involved in pass protection for the Saints in the absence of RB Deuce McAllister but was run over again and again by the St. Louis defenders.

In the fourth quarter, Bush was shaken up after being hit on a receiving play in which he may have also fumbled but he was ruled down. He returned to his feet and jogged off the sideline. Bush also ran in two two-point conversations. He was useful in the passing game for the Saints, but running out from the backfield proved to be a challenge for the second year back.

Week 11 - Bush played with great determination, taking on defenders routinely instead of trying to run around them when he carried the ball. When he caught the ball in the passing game, he showed more of an inclination to attempt to use his speed, with moderate success, as he was funneled back inside to additional defenders when he attempted to break free on the outside. Although he gave a strong and determined effort on every play, he did not come close to breaking free for any major gains in either the running or passing game.

Week 12 - Bush started the game but he was used sparingly. He only ran the ball nine times for 32 yards. He also caught three passes for 30 yards. Bush had a couple of carries that got close to the goal line but then he was pulled for Stecker. Bush was lined up at wide receiver a few times in the game.

Week 13 - Bush ran well against the Buccaneers, averaging nearly five yards per rush on 13 carries, finishing with 64 yards on the ground. He also added three receptions for 13 yards on seven targets in the passing game. On the negative side, while Bush ran well when he was called on, he received just 13 carries and had a fumble on a questionable handoff / reverse play late in the fourth quarter that Tampa Bay recovered, and their offense later turned into the game winning touchdown. Bush also had another fumble that he was able to recover and seemed to be hobbled by numerous injuries throughout the game.