Can Reggie Bush be great in '08?

More alarming, Bush’s receiving yards fell to 417, and he averaged only 5.7 yards per catch. New Orleans also elected to remove Bush from punt-return duties, limiting his ability to make the big game-changing play on special teams.

So what will it take this season for Bush to regain his superstar status?

If Reggie Bush wants to move into the upper echelon of NFL offensive players, he is going to need help. Now, I know that all football players need help because the game is so team oriented, but I am referring more to help from the sidelines. Bush needs head coach Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Doug Marrone to find a way to utilize Bush to the fullest extent possible.

It was proven last season that Bush is not big enough to last 17 weeks while running between the tackles. He is not built like LenDale White or even Warrick Dunn.

Therefore, Payton and Marrone have to always be searching for ways to get Bush out on the edge or in open space: screens out of the backfield, quick screens in the slot, halfback draws out of a four wide-receiver sets, well-timed “gadget plays”, quick routes out of the slot, lining Bush up wide and overloading the opposite side of the formation, etc.

If given space, Bush is capable of making big plays. Don’t look for him to make the same plays he made in college, or even the same plays Michael Vick was capable of making, but he has the ability to make defenders miss.

He is elusive, and his ability to stop on a dime allows him to do more than just a simple juke move (which works for many college running backs).

It is also important that he be used wisely as a decoy. Just like when Chicago’s Devin Hester is in the game on offense, it is important he is in on all types of plays. Bush can excel if the defense isn’t keying on him every play. The coaching staff must have him playing alongside McAllister at times, lined up in different formations, and being in motion on occasion.

Accompanying that, Bush needs to become an excellent blocker. The more Bush can be used to block...the more often he will be on the field. Amazingly, like most players, Reggie has to be on the field to be able to become an elite back.

Blocking will also lead to checkdowns, and checkdowns are an excellent open-field avenue that will allow Bush room, and will help him avoid the big uglies of the defensive line. Plus, with a top QB in Drew Brees, Bush has a slinger that is unafraid to find the short option rather than chucking for the deep ball.

But the No. 1 way for Reggie Bush to get out of the shadow of Kardashian’s derrière and regain his star status? Well, the Saints have to win, of course. It’s easy to be forgotten on a team that is losing, but hard pressed for a winning squad to be unnoticed.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?