APWhen Lions coach Jim Schwartz joined PFT Live this week, he noted that the Lions’ passing game will open things up for new running back Reggie Bush in a way that playing in another offense might not.
“His talent doesn’t stand alone. The combination of Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson, the rest of our offense — Brandon Pettigrew at tight end, Nate Burleson at wide receiver, it’s a really unique opportunity for a dynamic running back,” Schwartz said.
But while playing with a receiver like Megatron is unique because of the way he draws the defense’s attention, playing in a high-powered passing offense isn’t unique for Bush. Schwartz told Jim Rome that his plan for Bush goes back to the way Bush was used early in his career as a Saint, rather than the way he was used in the last two seasons in Miami.
“Our plan for him is a little bit different than that, maybe going back to a little more the way he was used with the New Orleans Saints,” Schwartz. “We think he can have a greater impact on the game when we give him the ball on his terms, on our terms, rather than running the ball into hard 8 boxes.”
The difference between the role Bush has played in those two offenses is significant: In Bush’s two seasons in Miami he averaged 222 carries and 39 catches a season. In Bush’s five seasons in New Orleans he averaged 105 carries and 59 catches a season. Bush has proven in the last two seasons that he can be the primary every-down back in an NFL offense. But he proved before that that he can be a significant threat even when he’s not carrying the ball 200 times a season. And that may be the Reggie Bush we see in Detroit in 2013.
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To sell tickets, drop screen passes, and be seriously injured and/or fumble on half of the special teams plays where he appears?
So does that mean as a training room decoration?
Bush could really be an effective weapon in this offense. It is the defense that concerns me.
This makes sense for both sides. The Lions have a crappy run-blocking OL, and as a RB Bush probably wants to have a career beyond the age 28. Reducing the number of hard tackles and hits he takes on running plays will extend his career.
A yard in the lane is worth two in the Bush. Just need to get that lane now.
Bush got a ring so mustve worked with saints.
Bush got a ring because Brees as QB worked out.
OLINE all the way…. SIGN MOORE. DRAFT FISCHER or LANE. Drop Dom and insert Nagy. Boom.
Did the Lions steal the Saints’ playbook from 2009 or something? Good luck trying to emulate what Bush did down there.
Am I the only one that thinks Leshoure is the opposite of explosive? If he’s getting the bulk of the carries, the Lions run game is still going to be garbage.
The only problem I see with this is the fact the Matt Stafford is no Drew Brees.
Who’s the bigger d bag? Jim Rome (thumbs up) Jim “Know the Rules Harbaugh/What’s that, it’s a rule I can’t throw my red flag?” Schwartz (Thumbs Down)?
Actually Joique Bell will carry a lot.
Bush would have had more touches in Miami if not for him fumbling and being injured for a third of the season…there was a reason Bess returned punts…no turnovers. Finz may be 8-8 yearly, but better than 4-12 yearly
nineroutsider says:Mar 22, 2013 7:44 PM
So does that mean as a training room decoration?
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No, that would be jim hairbow when he’s handing out towels in the locker room to the players while he’s staring at their junk.
Hey, I’m being honest. Good luck trying to get Reggie Bush to be as dominate as he was in 2009. No ill will or nothing like that.
Good, as a Vikings fan i wasn’t real worried to begin with, now I’m not at all. The Dolphins used Bush as well as you can. The Saints barely used him at all. Its nice being in a division where all you have to worry about is Forte, if he’s playing. Too bad we’re the only one without a qb.
Who tells Jim Rome anything?
They’ll use him exactly like they used Best, with the exception of now having power runners alongside him unlike when Best was healthy. No need for any other playbook but their own.
Leshoure was coming off an Achilles year. We have yet to see him at 100 percent. But maybe he is just ordinary. Hope not.
He’s still their head coach?
As a Saints fan I can offer a translation: “We will give him the ball and he will sprint straight out of bounds, usually for a loss.”
Reggie Bush was Miami’s best offensive player & it makes no sense to let him walk like they did. Bush is a superstar as long as he can remain healthy. However, historically Reggie Bush performs much better on grass than artificial turf.
What defense? We don’t need no frickin defense.
Leaving Miami for Detroit AND going back to being a decoy….Bummer.
The only reason Bush has a ring is because the sAints cheated by implementing a bounty program. That ring sould be on Adrian Peterson’s finger instead.
Back to Decoy/3rd down back role…..shame really, he is capable of more.