Will New Orleans ‘Bushwhack’ Baltimore?

By Darrell Laurant  |   Friday, October 27, 2006  |  Comments( 4 )

New Orleans Saints
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This may be the week the Reggie Bomb finally detonates. So far, it's been a rather long fuse.

For the reality is that Reggie Bush has almost been treading water as a New Orleans Saints rookie -- not bad, not great, but somewhere in between.

True, he did bust a 65-yard punt return three weeks ago to lift his team over Tampa Bay. Yeah, he does lead all NFL rookies in receptions with 38.

But Bush's longest run from scrimmage this season has been 18 yards, his longest pass reception 32. He hasn't topped 100 yards in a game in either category. As the Heisman-winning superstar at Southern Cal, Reggie used to put up those numbers in a quarter.

Chances are, though, that the Saints will use Bush a lot more against the visiting Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. They'll have no choice.

First of all, the Ravens are nasty against the run, giving up only 71 yards a game. Moreover, the Saints' most consistent runner between the tackles -- Deuce McAllister -- is hampered with a hamstring injury, and tight end Ernie Conwell, a reliable blocker, isn't expected to play.

All of this points to more use of Bush as a receiver out of the backfield, or perhaps on a reverse or two. The 6-foot, 205-pounder is beginning to feel more comfortable in Sean Payton's offense, and at least two of the four starters in the Ravens' secondary are listed as questionable.

The goal would be to figure out ways to get Bush past the imposing linebacker trio of Bart Scott, Adalius Thomas and Ray Lewis and give him room to operate -- put him in space, as the operative term goes these days.

It may even be to Bush's advantage that he has started slowly. Through the first few games of the Saints' 5-1 start, all eyes were on Reggie, whatever he did. Now, it may be possible for him to blend into the background at times.

During the Saints' bye week, Bush went back to L.A. to hang out with his buddies who are still playing football for the Trojans.

"Everybody was glad to see me, and I was glad to see them," he said. "It was nice."

And maybe it reminded him of who he is. He's Reggie Bush. And with a brutal three-game stretch just over the horizon for the surprising Saints (consecutive encounters with Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Atlanta), it's time he started playing like him.

Get more information on the New Orleans Saints at RealFootball365.com
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