Reggie Era officially begins in New Orleans

By Randy  |   Wednesday, December 06, 2006  |  Comments( 2 )

New Orleans Saints
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Reggie Bush was a big name in NCAA football. The New Orleans Saints have never been a big name in the NFL. They were united last April. Would the marriage get off to a rousing start?

It was risky to answer in the affirmative. Even the creme de la creme of rookie running backs usually require at least a year to adjust to the size and speed of the crafty, demented head-hunters on the other side of the ball.

Saints partisans had no questions about his credentials. Bush dominated college football. They did wonder given his pedestrian start - only one rushing touchdown through Week 12 and a costly fumble in a close loss to the Steelers - if he would ever pay dividends in Year One.

One game does not make a career, though. And, the San Francisco 49ers are a shadow of their former selves - a former dynasty trying to claw its way back to the glory days of championship years past. Nevertheless on Sunday, Bush sashayed past opposing defenders in a sassy style that tends to make opposing defensive coordinators prematurely gray, announcing in a voice stentorian his formal arrival as a high-end luxury NFL RB.

Surely, it is too soon to crown him as the national media has done to Tony Romo in Dallas but Bush displayed more moves than one of those French Quarter exotic dancers. He also appeared every bit as slithery as the most devious of Louisiana politicians in scoring a franchise-tying four touchdowns en route to a 34-10 victory at the Superdome. The win coupled with Philadelphia's surprising upset of Carolina on Monday night gives the Saints a two-game edge in the NFC South. But, don't crown them just yet.

"The 49ers players looked in awe of Reggie. They just stood around with their mouths open and watched him the way teams used to watch Barry Sanders," said Fox analyst Jay Glazer on Monday morning.

In reality, that was really their only option. Ever see a Hyundai chase down a BMW Z4 roadster?

The much-anticipated Bush-Gore rematch turned into a landslide. Mr. Rhythm swung the election early. His opening shot was burning hot - an acrobatic, 1-yard leap into the end zone in the second quarter and by game's end, Bush had won every vote from Canada to the Mexican border.

"From the burroughs of New York to the barrios of California," as former quarterback-turned-congressman Jack Kemp once said on the campaign trail.

The Saints stacked the box on NFC-leading rusher Frank Gore, daring Alex Smith to beat them with his arm. Gore managed only 40 yards against a blue-collar Saints defense and Smith, with Charles Grant bearing down on him all afternoon, was not up to the task. Mike McKenzie picked off two passes, returning one 54 yards. Mind you, McKenzie had not intercepted a pass in 25 games. Bush totaled 168 yards - 131 in receptions and 37 with three touchdowns on the ground.

There were other heroes. Deuce McAllister quietly ran for 136 yards on 26 carries. Brees threw for only 186 yards but was efficient as ever: no interceptions, brilliant pocket presence and even a neat little 16-yard scamper on third-and-8 in the third quarter. Veteran defensive tackles Hollis Thomas and Brian Young effectively clogged the middle. Diminutive Michael Lewis, a former beer truck driver, returned a kickoff 47 yards that set up the Saints' first touchdown drive.

After their impressive victory over the Niners, the Saints travel to Dallas for a Sunday night showdown that could determine a first-round playoff bye. At first glance, the Cowboys would appear to have the advantage. The Saints starting receivers - Horn and Colston - are ailing at the moment. Horn probably will not play. Colston likely will but may not be at full speed.

Although he didn't manage a touchdown pass against the self-imploding Giants, the NFL pundits tells us Romo is as infallible as the Pope these days. We already know Parcells is a genius. Can the Saints' ball-control offense protect its not-ready-for-primetime defense? Will Devery Henderson and Terrence Copper perform heroically in Horn and Colston's stead? Has the game finally slowed down, finally crystallized for Reggie Bush?

The winner of this one will in all probability emerge as the primary challenger to the Chicago Bears - the emperor that has no clothes, quarterback or run defense - in the NFC. Alas, that's a column for another day.

Follow the New Orleans Saints with Randy Savoie at the helm for RealFootball365.com
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