RB Reggie Bush, Detroit Lions

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

2013 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of May 6th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: V Jackson (39), M Crabtree (40), Reggie Bush (41), A Hernandez (42), W Welker (43)
Position: D Wilson (32-RB18), D McFadden (33-RB19), Reggie Bush (41 - RB20), D Sproles (44-RB21), R Mathews (45-RB22)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

PPR Average draft position

Current as of May 6th. [Full PPR ADP list]

Overall: T Brady (41), C Newton (42), Reggie Bush (43), P Manning (44), J Witten (45)
Position: F Gore (38-RB19), D Wilson (40-RB20), Reggie Bush (43 - RB21), R Mathews (50-RB22), L Miller (58-RB23)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

Latest News

Lions | Reggie Bush comfortable in offense (Fri May 17, 01:01 PM) - Detroit Lions RB Reggie Bush is comfortable in the team's offense, and he's comparing it to the days when he was with the New Orleans Saints. 'I've always enjoyed being in the position that I am and doing what I do, being able to split out wide and catch balls so it's great that offenses are going toward that direction,' Bush said.

Our View: The Lions were a perfect landing spot for Bush. His big play ability in that high octane offense is a great fit. Over the last two years Bush has finished as the 13th and 14th best RB in fantasy football. Right now his ADP is RB17 and he's going off the board at the end of round two.
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Lions | Reggie Bush could have special teams role (Thu May 16, 03:32 PM) - The Detroit Lions could give RB Reggie Bush a limited role as a punt returner this season.

Our View: Bush is the team's lead back so they won't use him all the time as a punt returner. In critical situations when the team needs a big play we could see Bush back there returning punts.
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2013 Schedule

2012 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Bush ran well in the first half for the Dolphins before the game got out of hand on the scoreboard. He was able to make quick cuts in the backfield and find the hole in front of him very well. His best run came on a draw play where he ran off-guard to the left. While he only gained five yards, the run showed that Bush is no longer just a speed back and has the balance and power to run between the tackles and gain yardage after first contact. The Dolphins were happy to give Bush the ball on successive touches throughout the game and he rewarded their faith by having his biggest plays happen when he had been fed the ball for a down or two prior. Bush also had 4 receptions on the day as quarterback Ryan Tannehill did an excellent job getting him the ball on the run and in space. Bush is able to get to top-speed quickly in the open field. Bush did have a fumble at the line of scrimmage but it was recovered by Miami.

Week 2 - Bush started off the game strong, with four big runs, shredding the Raider defense, and driving forward for positive yardage. The drive resulted in a touchdown. However, for the remainder of the first half, Bush tiptoed, danced, and seemed to be looking for the big play. The running style in much of the first half reminded me of the way he ran at times in New Orleans. Perhaps Bush felt he needed to take it on himself to get the offense going. Interestingly, Lamar Miller came on in the 2nd quarter, and made some impressive plays. But when the second half started, Bush took over the game. You’ve no doubt seen the highlight of Bush’s two touchdown runs. On the first run, he bounced off three defenders, refused to go down, caught his balance and walked into the endzone. Then on the very next drive, he ran towards the left sideline, cut upfield and ran straight down the left sideline for a 65 yard gain. But the important thing in the second half, is that Bush started attacking the holes and taking what the play gave him. Instead of dancing, he returned to the style that gave him so much success this year. The Dolphins for their part, didn’t give up on the running game, and stuck with it. They were rewarded with a victory, and Bush had a monster day. If he keeps running like this, he could very easily finish as a top 3-5 RB. He’s running that good right now. Also of note is the fact that Bush converted a number of short yardage situations in this game. It doesn’t appear as if Miller or Thomas will be coming on to snatch goalline TD’s from Bush.

Week 3 - With 23 second remaining in the first half, Bush rushed up the middle and was tackled. Bush rolled over once before being tended to by the medical staff. Bush limped off the field with an apparent knee injury and did not return to the game. Bush was seen on the sidelines riding a stationary bike and working out with the training staff. Bush was able to walk under his own power, so we can only hope this injury isn’t serious.

Prior to leaving the game, Bush demonstrated the same vision and elusiveness that we saw last week. Bush showed patience, often waiting for his blocks to develop and allowing cut back lanes to open. Instead of dancing through holes, Bush attacked those holes with determination. That determination was demonstrated during the Dolphins’ first drive. Bush took four carries for 31 yards, but yielded the goal line carry to Daniel Thomas. When healthy, Bush has the makings of a Top 5 running back option.

Week 4 - It wasn't Reggie Bush's injury that limited his effectiveness in this game, as the Arizona Cardinals set out to take him out of the game. Bush showed excellent patience waiting for his offensive line to create holes for him, but those holes often didn't come. He was repeatedly hit at the line of scrimmage and a few times was chased around in the backfield for a big loss. His line gave him a few opportunities and Bush showed a good burst to gain yardage. When his blocking did send him into the secondary, Bush was a very positive runner gaining good yardage and not hesitating in space.

Week 5 - Still working his way back from a knee injury two weeks ago, Bush had his moments on Sunday. Miami does a nice job trying to work outside the tackles with stretch runs for Bush, the best (and longest run of the day) of which resulted in a 13-yard TD run in the 3rd quarter. Running left, Bush patiently waited for the hole to open up before planting and exploding up field. Cincinnati wasn’t able to get a hand on him until he was crashing into the end zone. Ultimately though, the running game struggled to get too much going for the majority of the day. For those concerned about Bush’s knee, he dispelled those with some pretty stop cuts, one of which left unblocked blitzing safety Jeromy Miles grasping at air. Bush did have his fair share of zero gain and negative plays (six to be exact), but those tend to come with the territory of consistently working outside the tackles. Miami promised to get Bush more involved in the passing game, but only three targets (two officially as one was wiped out by a defensive holding penalty) would suggest otherwise. Bush’s longest reception came on an arrow route out of the backfield for 21 yards and Miami went back to the play late, drawing a penalty and a first down the 2nd time.

Week 6 - Bush had his moments looking like an explosive playmaker, but they were few and far between. For a majority of the day, Bush was stuffed on interior running plays and hemmed in by the Rams defense when on the perimeter. He reversed his field, taking a big loss instead of lowering his shoulder for a minimal gain on one occasion. Plays like that were reminiscent of the pre-2011 Reggie Bush that was more of a satellite weapon than featured back. In the passing game, Bush was active and far more productive than on ground, but still left plays on the field. When split out wide, Bush was targeted on a screen pass, but dropped the pass on third down, an absolute drive killer. His fantasy day was nearly saved when he had a head of steam on a middle screen heading towards the goal line. Bush was brought down just short of the goal line and ended his best chance to get in the end zone. Lamar Miller was minimally involved and Bush remains the clear lead back after being contained against the underrated St. Louis defense.

Week 8 - After spending the week jarring with the Jets, Bush and his backfield mates had the last laugh. Given the windy and rainy conditions at Metlife Stadium, the Dolphins wanted to establish the run early on. During his team’s opening drive, Bush took his second carry up the middle, quickly found the cutback lane to his left, and accelerated for 19 yards. At the end of the run, Bush delivered a hellacious stiff arm to Antonio Cromartie. Cromartie retaliated and was rewarded with a 15-yard penalty. Outside of this run, the Jets kept Bush in check. Most of Bush’s runs went for four or five yards, but give the Jets credit, they didn’t allow him to get into the open field. On most of his runs, Bush refused to be taken down by the first tackler and ran his legs for additional yardage. Given the nature of this game, the Dolphins opted for the rugged, bruising running style of Daniel Thomas rather than Bush’s slashing style.

Bush’s only mistake occurred during his team’s ninth drive. With the Dolphins holding a 27-3 advantage, Bush lazily fumbled on a stretch play to the right. This was his first fumble of the season.

Week 9 - Bush led the Dolphins’ backfield in touches with twelve. It seems that Dolphins Head Coach Joe Philbin is interested in placing Bush in a timeshare, judging by the number of touches second-year halfback Daniel Thomas received. Carrying ten times for forty-one yards, Bush proved elusive when he received the ball, even on one and two-yard runs. Bush’s eighteen-yard touchdown run was an incredible amalgamation of agility, field vision, and footwork, as he weaved through multiple Indianapolis defenders. Seeing an opening past three Colts, Bush cut left, then right, scampering into the end zone to put the Dolphins up by seven midway through the second quarter. Bush added two catches for twenty-five yards, including a nineteen yard catch-and-run. He continues to be one of the NFL’s most dangerous men with the ball in space. The workload split with Daniel Thomas is a bit concerning, but Bush seemed to have no issues igniting the Miami offense with fewer-than-optimal touches.

Week 10 - It was a day to forget for Bush on Sunday, after logging four carries on the first two drives, he coughed up the ball, leading to a Titan touchdown and was subsequently benched for the rest of the first half. He did return in the second half to log one carry, but dropped a short pass early in the fourth, and didn’t see the field again. Coach Joe Philbin was sending a clear message to Bush, as he has struggled to regain his early season form after fighting through a knee injury. Set to hit free agency after the season, Bush was setting up for a nice payday before the nagging injuries hit. After seeing fewer snaps than backup Daniel Thomas last week, might the coaching staff be revealing a sign of things to come for the rest of the season as the Dolphins prepare to let him walk in 2013?

Week 11 - After a lackluster performance the week prior, Reggie Bush looked to the right the ship against the porous Bills’ defense. The ship never made it out of the harbor, however, as Bush was held in check, averaging two yards a carry on the night (1.0 without his long of 11 yards). Not able to operate in the much-needed space, Bush really struggled to get anything going. Trying to get outside on his second run, Bush was tripped up four yards behind the line of scrimmage by Mario Williams. Bush finally found some space on a swing pass, picking up 14 yards, but did nothing else in the passing game (sans a one yard catch later in the game). Even Bush’s long of 11 yards showed some disparaging signs, as he worked through a gaping hole, but lacked any explosiveness once he reached the 2nd level. Bush appeared more concerned with protecting his knee than picking up extra yardage, jumping up into the tackler instead of attacking the contact. The offense as a whole really struggled, especially considering the defense it faced on Thursday night and Bush was no exception, who at times appeared to still be thinking about that previously injured knee.

Week 12 - Fantasy owners dread the concept of running-back-by-committee, but that seemed to suit Reggie Bush just fine against a Seahawks run defense ranked twelfth in the league in yards allowed per game. Carrying fourteen times, Bush dropped eighty-seven yards on the ground against the Seahawks. His twenty-one yard touchdown scamper was an amalgamation of tackle breaking and wiggle as Bush cut multiple times to avoid Seattle defenders and find the end zone. Surely down at the Seattle three-yard line, Bush refused to give up, churning his legs until he broke the plane and put the Dolphins up by seven in the second quarter. Bush also showcased his legendary field vision on a fourth-quarter run in which he read the outside linebacker perfectly and bounced to the outside for a twenty-two yard gain. The Dolphins, while limiting Bush’s touches on the ground, tried to get him going through the air, but were not as successful. Bush totaled one catch for negative yardage on three targets. Still, coming off a disappointing Thursday night performance against the Bills, splitting carries with second-year halfback Daniel Thomas seemed to agree with Bush, as he generated nearly seven yards per carry on the ground.

Week 13 - Bush was effective in the run game, but this game marked just the second time this year without a reception on only one target in the pass game. Bush was the clear lead back over Daniel Thomas and ran hard between the tackles. He showed the effort to move the pile when there was little space and, of course, was not shy about bouncing the play to the outside when there were yards to be gained. His 15 carries marked the most since Week 5 as Miami was always within reach against New England. His lone target was a big missed opportunity. Bush got separation early in a slant route and Tannehill plain missed Bush on the third down play. Most of Bush’s production came early in the game as Thomas was incorporated more as the game progressed as the power to Bush’s lightning. While the 49ers loom as a stingy matchup next week, the Jaguars and Bills coming to Miami in Weeks 15 and 16 make Bush an intriguing RB2 play in the fantasy playoffs.

Week 14 - The first and second half revealed two different sides of Reggie Bush. In the first, Bush looked tentative, unsure of which cut to make or which hole to hit. This indecision led to wasted holes as the San Francisco defense was able to collapse the tunnel. Often Bush tried to stutter step his way through the middle of the defense, feinting one way and then the other until the defense converged. Even his most successful run could have been a lot longer, as Miami called a draw play and San Francisco had sold out on the pass. With a large hole, Bush would stutter step then run, stutter step then run. He had enough space to gain a good amount of yardage, but if he had sprinted and one-cut, he could have broken off a long gain. Not until the second half did Bush finally just run as hard and fast as he could at holes. On a draw play in the second half, Bush cut past a tackler at the line and sprinted through the space in the middle. No longer dancing, he was able to gain 17 yards. When the Dolphins were able to block a hole, Bush lowered his shoulder and hit the hole, gaining what he could. He also played a large role in the passing game as a safety valve for Tannehill when the receivers were unable to gain separation (which was most of the game). Bush showed great hands adjusting to balls both low and behind him while also showing more speed and determination when running in space, successfully executing cut-then-sprints on screen passes and dump offs.

Week 15 - Bush was back to being the bell cow for Miami, getting 20+ carries for the first time since Week 2. He looked like a back running for a new contract in the offseason. His cuts were defined and he did not shy away from contact between the tackles. The offensive line was a major contributor to his final statistics as they paved his way with frequent big holes at the point of attack. Despite a 53-yard run in the second half, more runs were there for the taking to give Bush an even bigger day. For example, on one occasion Bush had a clear running lane on an outside run to cut inside. It was close to five yards wide if he had chosen to run to daylight. Instead, Bush continued to bounce the play outside, which ended at the sidelines for a loss of yardage. Bush’s successful runs came inside in this game, not when he reverted to his pre-2011 ways of thinking he can run around the corner on every defender.

Week 16 - Leading the team in carries with 19, but only at 3.4 yards a carry; Bush did most of his damage in the passing game, leading the team in all receiving categories. After picking up 14 yards on his catch, Bush turned his next short toss into a TD. Tannehill faked the hand off to Bush and he slipped untouched and uncovered into the flat. Tannehill dumped it off and Bush promptly cut up field. What has become a staple of his, Bush went airborne as soon as he set foot inside the five-yard line, extending to the pylon for the TD. It looked as if Bush actually stepped out as he left his feet, but replay officials upheld the call on the field. Later, Bush and Tannehill connected again through the air for a TD. Again coming out of the backfield, Bush ran right past lead footed Nick Barnett on the wheel route. The pass was perfectly thrown, as Bush was able to run under throw, complete the catch and immediately sit to ensure the TD. While Bush’s numbers weren’t as flashy as Miller’s, he stilled show some tremendous cuts and shiftiness. On his first of two 10-yard runs, Bush slipped through the line before using a jump cut at the 2nd level to pick up five more yards. Like Miller, Bush’s longest run (he had two of them) came on the read option. With plenty of space in the middle, Bush easily burst through the hole but was unable to beat the only man between he and the end zone (DB George Wilson).

Week 17 - With just 10 touches against New England, Bush logged his lowest yardage total since Week 11. Miami trailed from the first quarter on, which limited the rushing attempts. In addition, Lamar Miller has been seeing more time on the field recently. Bush’s biggest play of the day came on the final play of the game, a meaningless rushing attempt that gained 20 yards. Outside of that play, Bush struggled to less than 10 yards on the ground. In addition to the low yardage, Bush coughed up a fumble in the red zone on Miami’s most promising drive of the game. Before Bush even got to the line of scrimmage, the ball was on the ground. In the passing game, Bush’s two best targets had potential for big gains and the possibility of a touchdown. On one pass, the linebacker tipped the ball as Bush ran a route down the seam of the defense. On the other, Tannehill overthrew Bush, who came wide open down the field on third down. Bush nearly matched his production from a season ago in 2012 with 262 touches and eight total touchdowns. With free agency looming for Bush in his late 20s this offseason, the Miami backfield and Bush’s final destination is one to watch in 2013.