Let’s take the time machine back to April 29, 2009. There stood the Houston Texans with the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. They didn’t have a top-tier running back, not much of an offensive attack. They decided to pass on USC’s Heisman Trophy winning runnung back Reggie Bush and select DE Mario Williams out of North Carolina State.
Reggie Bush Is Bringing His Game
The football analysts were outraged. How could they? Reggie Bush was the single-greatest talent they’d laid their eyes on in years. He was a surefire no doubter for NFL greatness. The Houston Texans would rue the day they passed on Reggie Bush.
Fast forward 4 years later.
Williams is a Pro-Bowl defensive end anchoring the Houston Texans defense. Bush for all accounts is a bust. Four straight years of declining stats, ongoing injuries and too many off field distractions between NCAA investigations and a camera-hungry reality show girlfriend. Adding insult to injury, the Saints passed on Joseph Addai, Maurice Jones-Drew and DeAngelo Williams.
Bush was a bummer…until the Saints got into the playoffs.
Bush looked like the pure-talent the Saints thought they were drafting four years ago the past Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. Bush rattled off 217 all-purpose yards, with two highlight reel touchdowns on a 46 yard rush and 83 yard punt return.
It was the Reggie Bush from the USC Trojans days that showed up. Bush had clearly turned the clock back to his college football heyday.
Whatever it was, Bush appeared focused and determined to win. He lowered his shoulder, ran people over and just when you were blinking your eyes, he pulled a juke that took the defender out of his shoes. Bush’s demeanor was different on the field and his attitude was the difference that helped the Saints pull away from the Arizona Cardinals and then finally seal the win.
If Bush brings the same mentality to the field the next two games, the Saints will be bringing home the Lombardi Trophy to the Big Easy. The Saints have been missing the tenacity in the running game and with that added component, Drew Brees will be even more deadly to opposing defenses.
Here’s looking forward to see if Reggie Bush can keep it motoring. He is a pure delight to watch.
Tags: New Orleans Saints, reggie bush
LOL!!! One good game against an obviously sub-par defense and the bust label comes right off huh? Those huge totals he racked up during the regular season (all of 390 yds and 5tds) sure make that point don’t they? So if he gets blanked next week are you going to put him right back in theb bust category, or is that kind of knee-jerk reaction only reserved for praise?
Jeremy, not sure where you got I was taking the bust label off him for one game. Point I was sharing is that if he plays like this for two more games and helps his team to its first Super Bowl, he’s justified his draft status. Especially if he is key to their success. The NFL is about winning Super Bowls, not playing in the Pro Bowl. I think that Tom Benson will not regret his decision to draft Bush if he helps them win it all and you can take the label of bust off him with two more great games.