Remember the 2006 NFL Draft????
It seems like only yesterday that football fans were watching history unfold; three sure fire, can't-miss, pro ready prospects were entering the draft with hall of fame expectations/comparisons. We all know the names: Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. I remember talk of Vince Young being the new Michael Vick, but a more "polished" version (yeah....I just threw up a little in my mouth too). I remember Matt Leinart being hailed as a better version of Carson Palmer, because he was considered more accurate and consistent (hahaha.......funny in so many ways). But most of all, I remember watching clips on Sportscenter with Reggie Bush and Gale Sayers breaking down his film together, and the inferences that Bush was destined to be the next Sayers, except with "more power and explosiveness."
Yeah........well it's 2011, and after Bush was taken 2nd overall in the 2006 draft, Bush has the potential to go down as one of the top draft busts of all time. Playing in 60 games over five seasons, Bush has never had a rushing total higher than 600 yards in a single season. His total rushing yards over that span is 2,090. That averages out to a hair over 400 yards a season. By comparison, undrafted rookie free agent LeGarret Blount rushed for 1,007 yards in just 13 games last year. His best year rushing the football was in 2007, where he amassed an underwhelming 581 yards on the ground. He has become a gadget player on offense and a tinier slot receiver rather than a running back.
His greatest contributions have come via special teams, where he is a dangerous return man. But why is that?? Because he has plenty of wide open space to work with. At the pro level, he has never been able to run the tough yards inside, to grind out an opponent. He has shown no ability to hit the hole with force and has never become an every down back. In college, Bush's athleticism masked these weaknesses because he was just that much faster than his competition. He could beat the defense to the edge and create plays in space. In the pros, the defenses (especially the front 7) can move just as fast and exposed those flaws in his game: lack of power, toughness and most surprising of all, a runner's instinct to find the hole and make the cut. His game is predicated on speed, and that's why he essentially became a receiver only.
After giving him a 6 year contract worth $62 million (with incentives & bonuses), I think the Saints have finally cashed in their chips on Reggie Bush. Set to make an unbelievable $11.8 million in base salary next year, the Saints decided to trade up in the draft to pick RB Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy Winner. Known for tough, hard running with great instincts and power, Ingram will become the Saints starter on day 1 of the 2011 season (whenever that is). His strength, vision, and sheer tenacity are qualities that can't be duplicated and more importantly, can't be found in Bush. So where does Reggie go from here? The Saints want him back, naturally, but not to be their RB. Like I said before, he's a very dangerous and talented return man and he is a huge weapon for them in that aspect of the game. But Reggie's pride and arrogance will lead him to seek out the big contract he hasn't earned and a chance to start for a team desperate for any kind of spark on offense. Teams that jump to my mind are Denver, Seattle and possibly Cleveland as a compliment to Peyton Hillis. But mark my words, the New Orleans Saints, and more specifially Sean Payton's system, are the only place that Reggie Bush will know success.
As the old saying goes "You can't coach Speed"....but the flip side to that coin is "You can't coach toughness." Sayers had it. Bush doesn't. Where he ends up is anybody's guess, but I know one place he won't end up: Canton, Ohio.
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