August is the month for unrealistic predictions, and a guy who has been making one since long before August is Dolphins running back Reggie Bush.
Bush aims to lead the league in rushing.
“I believe in setting the highest goals possible,” Bush said, via the Associated Press. “If you’re not setting the highest standards for yourself, then you don’t belong in this game.”
Never mind the fact that Bush has never finished in the top 10 in rushing, and that he has only one 1,000-yard effort in six NFL seasons, with 1,086 in 2011. And let’s set aside for now the fact that Bush lands closer to Ryan Mathews than Emmitt Smith on the durability meter.
Bush simply may not get the chances necessary to come within bullhorn distance of the top of the heap because of the change in the team’s offense. Last year, former coach Tony Sparano was willing to let Bush be the bell cow. This year, there’s a much better chance that the Dolphins will be using a revolving door at the position, like new coach Joe Philbin’s former team . . . and like Bush’s former team.
So even if Bush stays healthy and runs hard every time he gets the ball, he simply may not get the ball enough times to overcome the final output of someone who does.