Randy Inman
Bruce Bostwick
James Rickard
jesse-podoll
Robin PottratzReggie Bush a bust?
January 2nd 2009 23:20
Reggie Bush is one of the most exciting game breakers in Pro Football, when he is healthy. But should he be considered a bust or a great pick for the New Orleans Saints? Read on to find out my opinion on Bush and whether he is overrated or not. All the stats I mention in this article come from NFL.com
First Reggie Bush was a much hyped College Running Back who won the Heisman Trophy in 2005, for being the Nation’s best College Football player. That in addition to helping win two National Championships at USC made him a coveted player by most NFL teams. He skipped his senior season and was drafted with the 2nd overall pick by the Saints in 2006.
If you consider Reggie Bush as your classic Running Back then he is no doubt one of the biggest busts in NFL Draft history. In 3 seasons he has been injury prone and rushed for 1,550 yards and 12 touchdowns and only a 3.7 average per carry. His longest run surprisingly is only 43 yards. That is a shock because he IS known as a big play threat. Even if he could stay healthy those rushing stats are not up to “Franchise Back” standards at all.
At 6ft even and 203 pounds he is probably too small to be a feature back. And his cutback and slashing running style combined with small stature make him susceptible to injury. He really leaves himself open to knee injures the way he cuts back on turf and is a risk to miss a season at any time. So Reggie Bush is indeed a bust as a Running Back.
However he brings more to the table as a receiver and a returner. In 3 seasons (and remember he misses games often) he has caught 213 passes for 1,599 yards 8 scores and a long play of 74 yards. So he is very good at catching a pass and making a big gain after the catch.
Also he is as dangerous a punt returner as there is in the National Football League. In limited (trying to keep him from being injured) opportunities he has 51 returns for 498 yards and 4 scores. His average is not great but he is a threat to take one back anytime he returns a punt.
So if you consider his big play capabilities I wouldn’t call Reggie Bush a bust overall, just as a pure Running Back. If he is playing then the opponents have to account for him at all times. I really compare him to Eric Metcalf as a big play threat, though he is better than Eric except at returns. I would like to see the New Orleans Saints use him more as a slot receiver to help him play longer without injury. So all in all I don’t think they wasted the draft pick on him.
First Reggie Bush was a much hyped College Running Back who won the Heisman Trophy in 2005, for being the Nation’s best College Football player. That in addition to helping win two National Championships at USC made him a coveted player by most NFL teams. He skipped his senior season and was drafted with the 2nd overall pick by the Saints in 2006.
If you consider Reggie Bush as your classic Running Back then he is no doubt one of the biggest busts in NFL Draft history. In 3 seasons he has been injury prone and rushed for 1,550 yards and 12 touchdowns and only a 3.7 average per carry. His longest run surprisingly is only 43 yards. That is a shock because he IS known as a big play threat. Even if he could stay healthy those rushing stats are not up to “Franchise Back” standards at all.
At 6ft even and 203 pounds he is probably too small to be a feature back. And his cutback and slashing running style combined with small stature make him susceptible to injury. He really leaves himself open to knee injures the way he cuts back on turf and is a risk to miss a season at any time. So Reggie Bush is indeed a bust as a Running Back.
However he brings more to the table as a receiver and a returner. In 3 seasons (and remember he misses games often) he has caught 213 passes for 1,599 yards 8 scores and a long play of 74 yards. So he is very good at catching a pass and making a big gain after the catch.
Also he is as dangerous a punt returner as there is in the National Football League. In limited (trying to keep him from being injured) opportunities he has 51 returns for 498 yards and 4 scores. His average is not great but he is a threat to take one back anytime he returns a punt.
So if you consider his big play capabilities I wouldn’t call Reggie Bush a bust overall, just as a pure Running Back. If he is playing then the opponents have to account for him at all times. I really compare him to Eric Metcalf as a big play threat, though he is better than Eric except at returns. I would like to see the New Orleans Saints use him more as a slot receiver to help him play longer without injury. So all in all I don’t think they wasted the draft pick on him.
| 36 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
