By most measurement, Reggie Bush has settled into life as a role player for the Saints this season quietly, and somewhat successfully.
He’s averaging 4.1 yards per carry in limited work, had his best punt return of the season against the Jets, and even has reportedly improved his blocking. (Although his punt returns overall have been poor.)
The one problem Bush can’t seem to shake is ball security. He fumbled for the third time this season against the Jets, which set off his coach. Sean Payton “repeatedly barked at Bush on the ensuing Jets’ touchdown drive,” according to Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Payton defended Bush on Monday, but he wasn’t as forgiving during the game.
Bush fumbled with over nine minutes left in the third quarter, and only touched the ball one more time on the following five drives.
And while Bush is largely doing a fine job helping out the Saints offense, he’s watched as teammates Mike Bell, Pierre Thomas, Devery Henderson, Marques Colston, and Jeremy Shockey take turns in starring roles.
Another poster child for rookie salary cap.
We all make mistakes but I remember LOTS AND LOTS of scouts, GMs and other NFL personnel men calling Bush the best running back E-V-E-R to come out of college with plenty of references to Gale Sayers also.
I of course predicted that he would be a role playing, problem fumbler, scrub.
Payton was really pissed off. Right after Thomas Jones ran into the end zone after Bush fumbled, Payton walked up to Bush and you could very clearly see him say “I hope you’re watching this” before stalking away. Not that I blame him, but it was pretty cold.
That was funny. After The Jets scored Payton got right in his face. I’m no lip reader, but I think he told Bush, “That one’s on you, Marcus Allen!”
Poor Reggie Bush. First his girl dumped him; now his coach finally realizes that he has a 2nd round pick with lottery $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in the bank! A role player as the #2 pick? Poor New Orleans.
“Bush fumbled with over nine minutes left in the third quarter, and only touched the ball one more time on the following five drives.”
incorrect.
Bush had three more touches, two on offense
Man oh man, talk about vindication for Charlie Casserly. Everybody was bagging on him when he passed on Bush and Vince Young for Super Mario. Belated but sweet nevertheless.
When Bush got drafted a guy bet me that he would be a huge bust. I owe that guy 20 bucks, good thing I moved away.
Bush didn’t get dumped by kardashian they broke up. and um FYI they are back together……
Bush needs to be taught how to hold the ball again not chastised. If Bush went into this game with a known FUMBLING problem then that is 100% the coaches fault. AKA Tiki Barber…….
Bush has awesome abilities running catching everything else……
If Payton was a real coach he would be in Bush’s face making him do how to protect the ball drills in training camp like tiki Barber was FORCED to do…..
This is the Coaches fault he is the supreme leader he is the one running the Team he is the one with the supposed brain on how to FIX players with minor issues.
So, with the production this year from Bell and Thomas what is the future for Bush?…is he ever gonna be more than essentially and third down back/role player?….should we seek trade value for him?…
it was the 2nd time this season payton was not happy with this player….the first time i recall was a subtle look of agreement between brees and payton on the sidelines immediately after bush was given the ball 3 straight times when saints were backed up on their own goalline in buffalo and reggie was dancing in the endzone trying to evade tacklers….
.brees looked at payton in a way to say “are you kidding me calling plays for this guy in this situation?” reggie gained one yard and barely evaded a safety. this was when the game was 10-7….
Bush is not a running back. Teams however must game plan around players like Bush, Hester in Chicago, Harvin in Minnesota and Sproles in San Diego. These guys are “space players” who create matchup issues with most linebackers and safties. They work at receiver, running back, punt and kickoff returners and all possess superior speed. In Bush’s case, his impact is questionable as he produces an equal number of negative plays as he does positive plays. He heads out of bounds when contact is coming and he drops fast when hit, rarely breaking the first tackle. And he is a fumbler….and I am a Saints fan.
He sux as it is, and thankfully for him he has played with and Offenseive genious of a coach or he would already another 2 and out player…
trade him to the patriots, they will use him the right way and he would be a star in their offense. the thing i dont get- why arent they throwing the ball to him more if they dont want to use him in the running game? i have a feeling we are seeing the second coming of tiki barber..slooow start, strong finish
In fairness to Reggie Bush, he’s fumbled once more than Adrian Peterson and he’s played in 8 more games than AP.
No, I’m not trying to compare Bush’s production with Peterson’s. That would be stupid.