Back in March, Lions coach Jim Schwartz said that the Lions plan to use running back Reggie Bush in a similar role to the one he played for the Saints during the first five years of his career.
It’s little surprise, then, that Bush appeared on the NFL Network Friday and said that the offense in Detroit is a lot like the one that the Saints ran while Bush was in New Orleans. Bush explained that it has made it easier to pick things up after signing with the Lions as a free agent.
“As far as from an offensive perspective it’s a lot like what we did in New Orleans,” Bush said. “It’s a lot of spread-open passing. Obviously we can attack downfield, and with the running game, a lot of screens, draws and stuff like that. Basically what I did in New Orleans, so running this offensive system has been pretty easy for me.”
Bush was never used as an every-down back with the Saints and he seemed to relish the chance to play that role in Miami, saying more than once that he thought he could lead the league in rushing. That didn’t happen, but he ran for almost as many yards in two years with the Dolphins as he did in five years with the Saints. If going back to a role that calls on his versatility more than his running skills bothers Bush (and it shouldn’t, since he chose to sign in Detroit), he’s doing a good job keeping it to himself.
“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.
There are going to be a lot of chances for Bush to make an impact in a lot of different ways for the Lions on offense in 2013. His rushing attempts might go down, but his productivity should remain high.