Bush No. 1? Maybe the Texans had it right after all

By Chris Cluff  |   Tuesday, December 04, 2007  |  Comments( 13 )

New Orleans Saints
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Maybe the Houston Texans had it right after all. Maybe Reggie Bush wasn't the best player available in the 2006 draft. Because, 28 games into his NFL career, he hasn't looked like it.

The Saints' latest loss was a perfect example of how Bush has yet to elevate his play from that of a superior college running back to that of a standout professional runner. A fumble, two dropped passes, a key turnover on a trick play that enabled Tampa Bay to win the game. And then choosing not to address his poor play after the game or even the next day.

Once considered the next big thing in the NFL, Bush is bordering on a bust already. And if he doesn't get his head into the game, that is exactly what he will become.

Even his quarterback, Drew Brees, admits Bush has not achieved his potential yet.

"Reggie is a great talent. Reggie is one of the best athletes I have ever seen, but that only gets you so far," Brees told reporters. "Certain fundamentals and discipline to playing this game -- that is learned and that's not something that just happens immediately."

Right or wrong, that's what the expectations were when Bush, the Heisman Trophy winner from USC, unexpectedly slipped to the Saints at No. 2 overall in the 2006 draft after the Texans selected defensive end Mario Williams.

Bush did not run the ball exceptionally well as a rookie, struggling to move it inside or get to the corner, and he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. But he caught 88 passes and finished with 1,307 yards from scrimmage -- totals that seemed to portend a breakout season in 2007.

Alas for Bush and the Saints, it has not happened. Left to carry the running game when Deuce McAllister was hurt in Week 3, Bush has not been able to do it. He has 581 yards rushing and 417 receiving and has scored just six touchdowns. He doesn't have a play longer than 25 yards. He has fumbled eight times, has made mental mistakes and has not fared well when asked to pass protect.

Brees said Bush suffers from the on-field absence of McAllister.

"Reggie is still a young player in this league, and ... I think a young back absolutely needs mentoring in this league from a guy like Deuce," Brees said. "It has been tough because (McAllister) has been hurt and isn't here like he was last year for him.

"There's definitely a learning curve, and keep in mind the tremendous expectations for Reggie Bush from the moment he stepped foot in this league," Brees added. "So I think that everyone expects him to go out and just be Superman all the time, and that is not the case, especially in this league."

But if you're the preordained No. 1 pick in the draft, that is what you're supposed to be -- at some point. And 28 games into his NFL career, Bush hasn't even been close.

Meanwhile, Williams has rebounded from a disappointing rookie season to become a steady defender for the Texans. He had 2.5 sacks against Tennessee on Sunday to give him 8.5 for the season, which is a franchise record.

Maybe the Texans we're right.
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About Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff spent 10 years as an editor and sportswriter for The Seattle Times. He was a key figure in the newspaper's coverage of the Seahawks, particularly during their Super Bowl run in 2005. He also has written two books on the Seahawks: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding,...
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