5 Rookies Better for the New Orleans Saints Offense Than Reggie Bush

Well, here we go again, Saints fans. It's time for all the articles trying to explain Reggie Bush's poor play. He's been used wrong, he's been injured, his confidence is low—all excuses for Bush not living up to the hype surrounding him over four years ago.

Let's face it, it's hard for some people to admit that they're wrong and give up on a first-round pick. That's why even today there are still people quick to take up for a guy like Bush. I also have no doubt that if he were a late-round draft pick, he would have been riding the bench a long time ago.

How you can clamor for someone to get more carries when they haven't earned it, is beyond me. Bush has not only been completely out played by undrafted running back Pierre Thomas but by rookie running back Chris Ivory (also undrafted) out of Tiffin. Bush is quickly becoming nothing more than a wasted roster spot.

Imagine, if you will, how dangerous the Saints offense would be with someone on the roster we could actually use without the fear of a costly mistake. In fact, I decided to make it easy for you and give you five rookies that the Saints offense could get way more use out of.

Enjoy.

5. Dennis Pitta

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FORT COLLINS, CO - NOVEMBER 01: Dennis Pitta #32 of the Brigham Young Cougars celebrates his game winning 17 yard touchdown reception with Reed White #20 with :22 seconds remaining against the Colorado State Rams at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium o

Sean Payton wants to throw the ball on almost every down. The Saints were smart in recognizing that Jeremy Shockey is constantly banged up, and the need for another receiving tight end would quickly arise.

They were able to grab the 6'6" tight end Jimmy Graham out of Miami, and he has already proved useful. Over his last four games he has amassed 182 yards on 15 catches with one touchdown. That's production.

That's where Dennis Pitta comes in. The 6'4" tight end out of BYU saw many productive years while playing for the Cougars. Imagine having a 6'6" tight end on one side with the 6'4" Pitta on the other. With the mixture of speed the Saints have at wide receiver combined with the height of Pitta and Graham, they would be unstoppable around the goal line.

4. Jonathan Dwyer

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 6: Running back Jonathan Dwyer #21 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets celebrates in the end zone during their game against the Boston College Eagles on September 6, 2008 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The

One of the things that the Saints offense could improve on is short-yardage situations.

Jonathan Dwyer should have been drafted by the Saints to improve on this, but he was taken instead by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round.

His 5'11", 229-pound frame is the perfect size for an NFL back, and he could have ended up being the Saints primary back with both Bush and Pierre out with injuries.

3. Aaron Hernandez

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Aaron Hernandez #85 of the New England Patriots celebrates during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

I only have Hernandez ahead of Pitta due to his production this far. With 36 catches, 462 yards and three touchdowns, he has proved a useful target between the 20s.

At 6'1" he doesn't give you that tall, wide target that you get with Pitta. He does, however, have good hands and maybe a bit more speed.

Again, with Jimmy Graham on one side and Hernandez on the other, it would leave defenses with huge matchup problems.

2. Lagarrette Blount

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 21: LeGarrette Blount #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in action against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on November 21, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Yet another running back that could have been had late in the draft or even picked up in free agency.

Blount has proved his worth lately in Tampa Bay, averaging 4.4 yards on 114 carries with four touchdowns.

He's a bruising back at 6 feet tall and 247 pounds, and he gets stronger as the game goes on.

1. Rob Gronkowski

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Maybe this one would be too good to be true. I suspect that some teams may protest the Saints having two 6'6" tight ends that can run and catch.

New England knew what they were doing by drafting Hernandez and Gronkowski. With 25 receptions, 310 yards and six touchdowns on the year, Gronkowski has already proved he'll be around for some time to come. 

Not only would adding a tight end like Gronkowski or Hernandez help out in the passing game, but in the running game, as well. It would force defenses to cover the tight ends while leaving more room for Thomas and Ivory to work their magic.