Reggie Bush Proves Why He and the Saints Should Sit and Talk Numbers for 2010

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush has been called many things in his career, but he has never been called a power running back...until this past game versus the Arizona Cardinals.

Bush ran with power during the game, which led to five carries for 84 yards and one touchdown, but his 46-yard touchdown run was more flash then power, a style for which he has been known.

Still, Bush showed a side of his running game that no one has seen from him even going back to his college days at USC when he would juke defenders right out of their shoes while running by them in less than a second.

Is Bush stepping into the next stage of his game by adding a power style of running?

If so, then he may be as dangerous as the Titans' Chris Johnson, with whom Buis is very similar in size—Bush at 6'0" 205-pounds and Johnson at 5'11" 200-pounds—but that is high speculation.

Anyway, being a former No. 2 overall draft pick, Bush has had what some would call a bust of a career, but others say Bush does so much he is worth every penny.

Money is a really big obstacle right now, and even though the Saints are on the doorstep of the Super Bowl, they have a very difficult decision coming in the next few weeks: Whether or not they should keep Bush and his enormous salary.

Bush is due to make $8 million in 2010, plus another $4 million in bonuses.

Is Bush worth $12 million, when the Saints are going to have to pay other players whose contracts are expiring like RB Pierre Thomas (who is a restricted free agent), RB Mike Bell, WR Lance Moore, and S Darren Sharper to name a few.

Plus, the Saints should start considering a contract extension for their No. 1 wide receiver, Marques Colston, since his contract will be expiring in two years and has outplayed his current contract 10-fold.

Getting back to the point, how much is Bush really worth for the Saints since they have so many other talented players at running back?

If the Saints are willing to part with Bush, what is his value to another team who would have to pick up the $12 million tab?

Obviously, the Saints are not going to just cut him, like the rumors around the internet have implied recently, but something needs to change and that is Bush's high salary number.

Staying on a contending team like the Saints should be Bush's main focus and if he needs to take a pay cut, then he should do it.

Bottom line, Bush should be honorable and unselfish toward his team and restructure to get less money, but then be able to make more through performance and/or statistical escalators.

Regardless of the outcome, a single player who can dominate a playoff game with over 215 yards of total offense and two touchdowns might just be worth the high salary.

Update 1/19 @ 12:23am: The ESPN Insider rumor page on ESPN.com states that the Saints may reconsider their options on Bush after his performance against the Cardinals.