New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush ran a 4.33 second 40-yard dash during USC’s Pro Day April 2, 2006.
That speed combined with the lightning fast quickness he showed during his time at USC was the reason the Saints chose Bush in the 2006 NFL Draft.
With that in mind, Saints fans have envisioned long touchdown runs and acrobatic plays from the Heisman trophy winner ever since he suited up in black and gold.
Through two games this past season, Bush rushed for 72 yards on 21 carries. His presence was felt more as a receiver, bringing in 15 balls for 120 yards.
Although Bush’s rushing statistics are about the same this year – 65 yards on 22 carries thus far – he has had about as much of an impact on the receiving game as the Saints have wins – none.
Bush has caught 10 passes for 50 yards this young season. This is something that has reporters, Saints fans and football enthusiasts around America wondering “Why?”
Inconsistent play and bad decision making, including dropping two passes in key situations Sept. 6 against the Indianapolis Colts and a personal foul penalty in this past weekend’s game, are two reasons, but the main reason for Bush’s struggles is very simple – Sean Payton.
After gaining 1,307 yards of total offense this past season and spending the offseason trying out a Fre Flo Do training routine – a martial-arts style workout that emphasizes spatial awareness, core balance and injury prevention that players such as San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander have tried – yours truly believed “President Bush” was ready for a break out season.
Little did I know, coach Payton was not. At least that’s what it seems after two dismal games this season.
Payton guided the Saints to the No. 1 total offense and No. 5 scoring offense in 2006. Payton seems to be going through his own sophomore slump this season, as it took his team more than 100 minutes to score an offensive touchdown.
Although Payton cannot affect how his players perform on the field, most of the blame should be put on his shoulders for the Saints’ offensive woes.
Shoddy play calling and putting his players in no-win situations are the reasons the Saints have scored just 24 points through two games.
This past season’s success came in part from Payton’s ability to get players, especially Bush, in positions to succeed. He was praised numerous times by ESPN “Pardon the Interruption” hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon for finding mismatches Bush could exploit. This season, as former NFL cornerback Deon Sanders said, Payton is missing that factor of his game planning.
“Sean Payton is getting it mixed up,” Sanders said after the Saints’ loss to Tampa Bay on NFL GameDay. “You have to serve the entrée before the dessert. He’s trying to serve me some Reggie Bush before [running back] Deuce McAllister. You’ve got to go with the Deuce, then come with the Reggie. Reggie’s a role player; he’s not an every down [running] back.”
As much as I hate to admit it, “Primetime” is right.
Although Saints fans seem to have forgotten the 6-foot-1-inch, 232 pound bruiser is still on the team, Payton should not.
New Orleans’ depth chart lists McAllister as the No. 1 tailback on the team, yet Bush has two more carries than McAllister – 22 to 20, respectively.
Bush, as good as he was in college, should be used as a decoy in the beginning of the game. McAllister, on the other hand, should be used to wear down the defense.
Every time I see Bush pull in a pass or take a handoff, he is clobbered by a mob of defenders waiting for him at the line of scrimmage.
Saints fans, don’t worry just yet, I have a plan. If you are reading this, Payton, I’m begging you to use Bush in the slot on long sweeps and on special teams. That’s where he succeeded this past season and where he will succeed this year.
And after looking at how bad the defensive secondary has been getting burned, it might not be a bad idea to put him at a cornerback position.
I’ll be watching Monday night as the Saints take on the Tennessee Titans in the Superdome. Hopefully Payton will have taken my advice to heart, and who knows, maybe the Saints will finally win.
—Contact Jay St. Pierre at jstpierre@lsureveille.com