Reggie Bush - Oh when the Saints

by James on October 18th, 2007

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The return of Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush, Mr. Everything at USC, and the number 1 pick of the New Orleans Saints, the surprise division winner last year, has yet to make the impact that was predicted for him.

Some, less than knowledgeable fans are even ready to write Reggie Bush right off the ticket.

Those same fans got an awakening Sunday night as the Saints rolled over the Seahawks in Seahawk land 28 to 17.

Sometimes the fans forget that Deuce McAllister was the number one running back for the Saints last year, while Bush toiled away as the number two back and punt returner, among other positions on the field.

Deuce went down with a knee and it appeared that Reggie finally had his chance to shine and for one week at least, Reggie did the job.

Update: Bush had 19 carries for 97 yards in Sunday’s win over the Seahawks.

Recommendation: Bush also had six catches for 44 yards. This was Bush’s most productive and explosive game of the season - the second-year back racked up the three longest runs of his career, with dashes of 22, 19, and 22 yards. Bush will look to keep it going next week against a Falcons defense that ranks 22nd in the league against the run, allowing an average of 121.2 yards per game on the ground. source

Now the only thing missing is touchdowns. Reggie Bush needs touchdowns. He managed to score 8 touchdowns on last years dream version of the Saints where everything went right.

This year Reggie only has 2 touchdowns on the nightmare version of the Saints where everything seems to go wrong.

Reggie Bush was again Mr. Everything in the first half of the Saints vs. Seattle game.

Bush took over for the rest of the first half. Coach Sean Payton told Seattle media he hoped to limit his star running back to 25 touches if he could, but for a while, it looked like Bush might reach that mark by halftime.

He finished with 97 yards rushing and 44 receiving on exactly 25 touches, almost all the damage done in the first two quarters. The Saints spent the second half moving the ball and taking time off the clock.

“He showed his speed and quickness,” Holmgren said of Bush. “He showed he’s a fine back. He got around us. He cut back. It’s too hard to come back, as a rule, when you dig a hole like that for yourself.” source

Shaun Alexander

On the other side, the Seattle running game was struggling. Shaun Alexander was found to be wanting, in spite of Mike Holmgren’s vow to get the running game going. In the last 3 games Shaun has 78, 25, and 35 yards, which is a very uncharacteristic amount of yards for a back of his caliber.

A couple of days before the game, Holmgren, in typical Holmgren style, defended his star running back.

He hears the criticism that the star running back has been too tentative, tiptoeing into the line while gaining just 93 yards rushing with an average of less than 3 yards per carry over the last two games.

Seattle’s coach has been telling Alexander the same thing — for eight years.

“Would I like him to hit the holes a little quicker, get it up in there? I’ve said that from Day One,” Holmgren said Friday, the final full practice day for the Seahawks (3-2) before Sunday night’s home game against New Orleans (0-4).

“He’s known that for, how many years has he been here?” Holmgren said, chuckling. “But at the same time, his style has produced some wonderful things.” source

Fantasy Players everywhere are waiting the return to form of Shaun Alexander.

Meanwhile, Reggie Bush has the Saints cranked up and running.

NFL Football Fan Question Will this game mark a change in the direction of the Saints?

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Tags: bush, Drew Brees, football, mike-holmgren, New Orleans Saints, nfl, Reggie Bush, Seattle Seahawks, Shaun Alexander, usc

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