Reggie Bush has struggled as a running back thus far in the NFL
This off-season, the New Orleans Saints added a new running backs coach in Brett Ingalls, who comes in replacing Aaron Kromer. Kromer was promoted to offensive line coach and running game coordinator. Both of these men have the daunting task to do something not done the past three seasons: to make Reggie Bush into a reliable and effective running back.
Bush has only once rushed for over 100 yards in a game, way back in the 2006 season against the New York Giants. He has only rushed for over two touchdowns only twice, a three touchdown game against the San Francisco 49ers in 2006 and a two touchdown game against the Tennessee Titians in 2007. Last season, Bush rushed for only two touchdowns.
Granted, Bush has been hampered by injuries the past two seasons, but his numbers should be improving in the games he plays. But if you average out what he did last season, he would have finished around 646 yards on about 170 carries for a 3.8 yards average per carry. This number is close to his 3.8 yards a carry average for his career.
The 2007 season was his best running the ball, finishing with 581 yards on 157 carries for a 3.7 average per carry in 12 games. Those numbers would put him at 775 yards on 209 carries for 16 games, all of which would have been made for an impressive sophomore campaign. However, his per game average was still below 50 yards a game, an average which he has not yet achieved.
Bush has continually not learned to move north and south, not dancing around the backfield before making positive yards. If he can learn to be patient, look for holes, and follow his blockers, perhaps he can become more effective. Bush needs to watch tapes of Gale Sayers, Barry Sanders, Brian Westbrook, and LaDainian Tomlinson. He has to learn by watching, because he has not learned by doing so far.
Some people just simply argue that Bush is a multi-use back, who can receive as well as run the ball and that should explain his lackluster rushing stats. But in 38 games played, he has amassed over 100 yards receiving three times, once last season and in back to back games in 2006. His stats maybe a good set up for a team if he was a lower paid, backup running back, which came in as a change of pace player. Unfortunately, he is making second overall pick money and is a popular face around the league.
Hopefully, new offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, Jr., who came in to replace the newly named Syracuse University coach Doug Marrone, can install some running plays designed for Bush in mind. Tailor-made plays could give Bush a confidence in his running skills and have him build off of his progress.
Saints fans remember though, despite the coaching change at offensive coordinator, it will still be head coach Sean Payton that calls the plays.
Comments
I disagree with your assessment.Having played the RB position in H.S.I know what it means to have a whole defense keying in on you.In basketball a person can still hurt you if double teamed because they have the man to man rule.In football its different.Bush id=s a victim of his own success .Every team the Saints play watch every tape on Bush before they play.They know most of the plays which is why the Head Coach tries to put in new plays for Reggie as often as possible.Reggie Bush usually has at least three players on defense watching his every move.You should include plays that worked for the saints were they play actioned to Reggie and we got big yards because defense over played ball.Reggie draws two to three men around him every play.
totally agree Cliff. Unless you have a great line, a la A. Peterson, then you can't really combat the shadowing that goes on. Also, Reggie has only averaged 10 maybe 11 carries a game and again, without a dope line that's not going to get you far.
I think you're focusing far too much on his carries. Even if he was reliable at running, Payton would still pass it to him a considerable amount because Reggie Bush is so dangerous in open space. His importance comes from screen passes and dump-offs, not running between the tackles. Besides, he's only 5/11 and 200 pounds. Someone that small can't make a living running through the line.
unless your name is Warwick Dunn
Let's here it for coach Ingalls who hails from Snohomish.
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