Reggie Bush is already an NFL superstar at the age of 23. In reality, he was a superstar from the day he was drafted. He is a household name. His face is all over T.V., he scores touchdowns, and football ‘experts’ talk about how explosive he is. So, how in the world could he cost Sean Payton his job?
Reggie Bush: 202 career receptions
Ultimately, it is Payton’s personnel decision to line Bush up in the backfield week after week on nearly every snap knowing that the running plays will go to him …………… with little to no success time after time after time. This failed attempt to make Bush the next Barry Sanders is holding this team back and they will not move forward until they learn what many of us have already figured out ……………… and it could cost Payton his job.
Reggie Bush's feeble attempts to run the ball from the backfield are giving me flashbacks to Ki-Jana Carter and others like him that were great athletes but could never find success as professional running backs. Bush is tentative to lower his shoulder and drive for the extra yard. He doesn’t run hard enough through the hole to make it to the 2nd level. And he doesn’t seem to possess the vision that it takes to react quickly and adjust from one hole to the next if the hole isn’t there.
Ki-Jana Carter: Career Avg. 3.6 Yards Per Carry
Haven’t seen Bush play with your own eyes? Don’t believe me?
Look at the results:
Since Bush has entered the league, the Saints have handed him the ball 390 times on designed running plays. His average success per carry? 3.6 yards.
Deuce McAllister during the same time period with the same personnel around him? A respectable 4.2 yards per carry on 309 carries.
You might say it’s unfair to compare Bush to McAllister.
O.K., let’s look at the REST of the Saints running backs during that same time period with the same personnel. Remember Bush’s 3.6 a carry? The ‘other’ Saints RB’s, which include Aaron Stecker, Mike Karney, and Pierre Thomas, among others, have managed a decent 4.1 yards a carry with the exact same personnel around them.
I hear what some of you might be saying already …………… “JJ, you’re simply picking out the YPC stat because it makes your case look better. You have to get the ball into Bush’s hands as much as possible for his ‘Home-Run’ factor. He has the ability to go all the way on any play.”
That may be true when he gets into the open field on a pass play or a punt return, but when he is handed the ball behind the line of scrimmage, there is NO home-run factor with Reggie Bush.
In his 390 carries in the NFL, Bush has ZERO runs of 40 yards or more.
Zero? What? Bush is explosive, isn’t he?
Even Ki-Jana Carter managed 1 run of 40+ during his failed career and he had fewer carries than Bush already has.
I may just be picking out the 40+ stat to make my case, eh?
Well, let’s look at another little gem. Bush so rarely even gets to the 2nd level to break one out that he only has 5 carries of 20 yards in his entire career.
Brandon Jacobs, known more as a power-runner, has managed 5 carries of 20 yards or more already in just 4 games THIS YEAR on only 65 carries.
The Vikings Adrian Peterson had 16 runs of 20+ during his rookie year of 2007 alone.
Let's face facts. Reggie Bush as a running back makes Mike Alstott look like Bo Jackson.
Mike Alstott: 26 career runs of 20+ yards
So, I’m sure you’re asking yourself at this point ………. “JJ, if you’re right, why don’t the Saints make the necessary changes if it will make their team better?” I believe I know the answer.
After Bush’s rookie year of 2006, many ‘experts’ around the league and fans of this sport proclaimed that Bush had proven with his receiving and return skills during his rookie campaign that he would ‘one day’ become a great NFL running back. He just needed some time. Apparently, Payton either bought into the hype or he is receiving pressure from inside the organization to keep Bush on the field. Payton has given this kid MORE than enough chances to improve, with plenty of on-the-field experience. We’ve seen enough.
I’m here to officially close the file on Reggie Bush as a successful NFL running back. It is never going to happen. The light bulb has never gone on for Bush in the running aspect of his game. Is he a great weapon for the Saints? Absolutely. Is he a great punt returner? Absolutely. Is he dangerous coming out of the backfield or lining up in the slot for a pass? Absolutely. Does he help this team at all in the running game? Not even close. In fact, I have proven that he is a liability for this team. Continually handing the ball to this man on 1st down is putting his offense in holes on 2nd and 3rd down that Brees and his receivers have to dig the team out of. They rarely see a 2nd or 3rd down and short and it is causing this talented team to hover around .500 when they should be better.
Sean Payton: Career Record 21-19
In summary, Bush should only be in the backfield as a 3rd down back for his receiving abilities. If Payton feels he needs to be on the field for 1st or 2nd down, he should line him up in a slot. And, absolutely, he should keep him back there returning punts. He’s a great punt returner.
However, in the running game, Bush’s lack of vision, tentativeness through the hole, and unwillingness to lay a hit is hurting the Saints and the sooner Payton makes the most courageous decision of his career thus far, the better off this team will be. The question is, will Payton be courageous enough to make that decision before he loses his job?
