Notice I said running backs, not athletes. There aren't a lot of players that have played the game that can move, stop, and start again like he does as a pure athlete in open space. (Off the top of my head, Barry Sanders is the last). But as a pure running back—as an every down back—running between the tackles or even on sweeps, he is the last player I would want in the backfield.
Since his days in high school, everyone wanted Reggie Bush. We all saw his highlight video on YouTube. But we have to remember, that was high school. Then in college, he was "unstoppable." Again, that was in open space. All I would hear is that he is the best running back in the country; no, he's the best Scat back.
I thought LenDale White was much better as a running back. Reggie was being helped out by his unbelievable offensive line. When they would run, he wouldn't be touched until he was in the secondary, and at that point he was in open space. Or they would throw him the ball out of the backfield.
It also helped that he had great wide receivers and a returning Heisman winner at QB that the defense had to worry about, so it made it tough for them to load the box to stop him.
Now that he is in the NFL, my beliefs are coming true. He can't run behind an average line that can't consistently open up holes that a big rig can drive through. If he wants to stay in the league making the money he does, and actually be productive, he needs to learn how to read holes, lower his shoulder, and hit someone.
12 comments Last one added 4 months ago — Leave a Comment
Anthony Wilson 8 months ago
But didn't Lendale benefit from those same things at USC?
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tay digga 8 months ago
With sweeping statements like this you needs stats and or other factors included here:
1. in his career as a NFL running back Bush is averaging around 10 carries a game.
2. Bush was the #2 pick in 06 draft, won the Heisman and broke numerous records at USC, so defenses key on him, by putting 8 in the box and spying on him.
3. Sean Payton is pass-happy, how can a highly touted RB get 10 carries a game.
4. Saints Oline isn't adept to the run so wholes aren't opened. In Deuces opener, he got 20 carries and averaged less than 4 ypc.
Now, we also have to look at what a running back is. There are a couple types. There's the bruiser's like what a Jerome Bettis was. Then there are the elusive backs like a Reggie bush. Both types have their pro's and cons. Bruisers sometimes take needless pounding when they could just run an extra few yards and not lose momentum and avoid being tackled. Elusive backs sometimes juke and instead of running straight and getting that extra yard they lose it. Some backs are a combination of both giving up a little speed and a little bulk. The funny thing is, we are so used to bruisers and aren't used to what we see in Reggie. Reggie isn't a bruiser, so why should we expect him to be. Yes he needs holes. That's an Olines job. Did you see what happened to AP last game. that's what happens with 8 in a box. And he has a good line. The saints have a great passing line but they aren't trained to run (10 carries a game) so what do you expect. By the way OJ Simpson didn't average 4.0ypc until his 3rd or 4th season. I understand saying that Reggie isn't the type of running back we expected. But to say he is one of the worst running backs in the NFL? That's a bit much. He's not in the ideal situation to prove what he can be. If he did get 20 carries a game and averaged what he did then I'd be more inclined to agree but he doesn't. In 1997 Barry Sanders actually averaged 3.7ypc in his first 1 - 10 carries. Reggie is averaging 10 a game, so I doesn't surprise me. Running backs either have to get into rhythm or have an amazing line. Reggie doesnt have either...lets consider all these things next time.
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tay digga 8 months ago
LOL just read your bio dude and u admit to being a Reggie Hater. My bad, didn't know you weren't shooting for objectivity. Well at least we both like the Niners!
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Evan 8 months ago
Yes I am a reggie hater, and yes he is the one of the worst backs in the league. statistically he is one of the worst. With YPG, YPA, and almost every other running stat. Yes he is a elusive, but again, as a running back, an all around back, that you need in the NFL he isn't very good.Maurece Jones-Drew does the same thing as reggie as alost catches out of the backfield and runs and returns kicks, he's much better and was drafted in the 2nd round. Not #2
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tay digga 8 months ago
well you must be writing just to let loose then, because the best writers here are loved for their objectivity, love or hate it. Food for thought I understand you hate reggie but it's kinda hard to read your work with all the negative superlatives and lack of objectivity. Reggie's having a good year. The running game will come. But hey, we agree to disagree.
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mike best 8 months ago
Bush has proven to be a great return man. He has yet to prove that he is a great running back.
There is still time, but the comparisons to Barry Sanders before having played even one NFL game were WAY premature, and the fact that Bush did nada to dissuade them made it worse.
I think Payton is actually a good fit for Bush...the coach has devised an offense where he tries to max out Bush's touches in a variety of creative ways, where Reg can utilize his strengths.
By the way, Sanders never played with a Drew Brees and he faced more eight/nine man fronts during the '97 season than Bush might face in his entire career. To suggest that Bush could do anything even remotely similar to Sanders given more carries is wishful thinking. Especially since Sanders averaged 6.1 ypc en route to 2053.
Reg is by far not one of the WORST backs in the league (where did that come from?)...he was hyped up coming outta USC and hasn't lived up to it. But he is still an impact player of a very high degree.
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Derick Hingle 8 months ago
It is all about blocking, give Reggie blocking and you'll see what he is capable of, Reggie is among the best players in the NFL, a game changer he can score at any moment at receiver, at running back or on a kick return, if I need a score I turn to Reggie Bush.
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tay digga 8 months ago
Mike...never said Bush was anything near Sanders. Nor was I implying it I just used Sanders to juxtapose a great Back with Reggie just to show that some times there's more to it than, "oh he's avg'g 3.6" lets not jump to conclusions. And I count 8 guys in the box with Reggie on the field all the time. My main point is the fact that he doesn't get the ball enough for us to determine what kind of Running back he could be. But I hear what you're saying. I just think dude is super exaggerating but if you look at his profile he admits to being a Reggie hater, so I feel stupid for even taking this post semi-seriously. Its not like he's trying to write something superb or something.
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tay digga 8 months ago
what happened to the comments? lol
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Evan 8 months ago
First off, I didn't say that Bush wasn't a good ATHLETE, but as a running back he isn't very good. When I say running back I mean someone who can see the holes, see the cut back lanes, not usually use yards (Barry Sanders is the only one who could get away with yards lost). Yes he is a good return man, but is a good return man worth the money they paid for him. Reggie gets a free pass because of what he did in college (where his offensive line opened up large holes that any back in the country could have gained big yards) and his "potential". Until he can prove that he can get 1st downs consistently on 3rd and short and 3rd and 3 on the ground, he will never live up to his reputation. He isn't doing anything to help his team either. By his lack of ability to run between the tackles he is making it harder on the quarterback and receivers because they don't respect his running ability, they don't have to worry about putting 8 in the box, and can focus on their coverages and blitzes. So far all he has done productive in New Orleans is put fans in the seats and helped the people there to put Katrina behind them.
I stick with my stand that he is the worst running back in the league, not receiver, not returning the ball, but running back he (statistically not just my opinion) is one of, if not the worst, back in the league. (Yet to rush for more than 585 yards, ave 3.5 YPC, ave. 3.5 TD's/year, longest rush of career:28 yards) His career stats are an average running backs yearly averages.
Yes, giving him line that can block would help, somewhat, he still needs to not be afraid to run with the big boys and show that he was worth a #2 overall pick, all the hype, all the money, and all the talk that he gets.
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mike best 8 months ago
Tay...I hear you man.
I understand what you were getting at with your earlier post and it is true...all backs need carries and to judge a back simply based on what he does between carries 1-10 is just plain dumb.
The big thing with Sanders is that on EVERY carry he seemed capable of breaking it. There were certainly games where he got off to slow starts, based on the defense's almost paranoid/hyper-intense commitment to stopping him. But he also had a number of games during his career where he destroyed teams from jump, or ended up with ridiculous yardage numbers on relatively few carries. As great a return man as Bush is, I don't get the same "OMG, this dude is about to break it" feeling when he carries the ball from scrimmage as I do on his returns. Being a great returner doesn't always translate to the running game. But, Bush's big play ability in the return game is somewhat comparable to Barry's from scrimmage.
But I hear you and agree with what you are saying...again, today, Bush had an AWFUL game as a "running back", but scored a couple of tds and his team won. And that is the most important thing. I think he is a great player and is being utilized by his coaches effectively.
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David boo boo head 4 months ago
I think reggie bush is a great football player but diffently not a great runng back. If I was him Iwould go back to wide reciever like he did back in the day in high school.
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