Reggie Bush: Can he handle the load?
Reggie Bush was a consensus top-10 fantasy pick this year in traditional leagues, and was a top-5 pick in leagues that reward points per reception. Needless to say, he’s been a resounding disappointment so far, along with the rest of the Saints offense.
From our Footballguys Game Summaries:
Week 1 at IND - Bush had a disappointing first game as only had 45 total yards of offense. He had six carries for 21 yards rushing in the first half. He picked up a nine yard gain on an end around in the first quarter which would be his longest play from scrimmage all game. Bush did get a first down on a seven yard carry on a rare run up the middle that helped set up set up the Saints only offensive points of the game. The tough Colts pass defense held Bush to only two catches for a negative three yards in the first half. Things didn’t get much better for Bush in the second half as he was held to 17 yards rushing and ten yards receiving. The Colts speedy defense did a good job of containing Bush and covering him in the open field.
Week 2 at TB - Bush really could not get much going on the ground, totaling 27 yards on ten carries with a long of just ten yards. He did receive a goal line carry on the play before the Karney touchdown, and was used as a decoy on the ensuing score. His main contribution came in the passing game, with six receptions for 43 yards on eight targets. Bush did have two fumbles in the game, but the Saints were able to recover both of them.
Week 3 vs TEN - Bush was well contained by the Titans defense and was limited to one yard or less on five of his seven carries (though two of those carries were one yard TD runs). As usual, he was quite active in the passing game, catching six of eight balls sent his way (he was targeted two other times on plays negated by penalties). Bush’s mediocre stat lines are becoming disturbingly common, though the two TD’s saved him in this case.
The plan was for Bush to share time with Deuce McAllister; with McAllister pounding out the tough yardage while Bush tries to hit the home runs while catching a ton of passes lined up all over the field. Unfortunately, Deuce McAllister tore his ACL and is lost for the season.
So Bush will be asked to not only shoulder a bigger workload, but he’ll be asked to do so at a time when the Saints offense is in desperate need of a major facelift. Can the 2nd overall pick handle the job? And should fantasy owners be trying to take advantage of his slow start by making trade inquiries for him?
The question was asked on our message board forum: Is Reggie Bush an every down, 25 carry RB?
- 62.93% NO (146 votes)
- 37.07% YES (86 votes)
Some think Bush will be just fine, and point to the success of other smaller, multi-faceted backs in recent years:
H.K. says: Warrick Dunn has been pretty successful over the years as the primary ball carrier. Bush will be fine.
U. Mint says: If they can use him like Brian Westbrook, I think he will do well.
Another message board poster, twitch, worries about what he’s seen of Bush so far in his young career:
Until I see Bush running straight ahead, north and south, between the tackles, I’m not going to give Bush any love. We’ll find out what he’s made of at this point with Deuce out. It seems like all he ever does is run away from trouble. I’m not sure he’s gonna be real good at getting the tough yards, but he’s an amazing guy, so I really hope he figures it out. Bush with 25 carries and game AND catches? Seems like an injury waiting to happen, but I hope he stays healthy and blows up on the NFL.
Chaos Commish offers some perspective on Bush’s ability as a between-the-tackles runner:
The answer to this question is: “Yes Reggie can carry it 20 times between the tackles.” It isn’t a big deal. He carried 18 times in the first half against UCLA and had over 200 yards and 3 TDs, 14 of those carries were between the tackles and he was just warming up. Running that many times is about stamina and endurance, not durability. Durability is an issue of injury and Reggie has no history of that save a minor ankle here or there. Mewelde Moore was a workhorse at Tulane and could be one in Minnesota if asked to do so. More carries for any back means more chances to get hurt… any back. Norwood was a workhorse in the SEC and could be one in Atlanta if asked to be. Addai was never a workhorse at LSU, but it is no big deal for him to be one now. The whole notion of a workhorse back is way over thought. Most backs can be every down backs if their coaches ask them to. It is that simple. There are a few who seem limited, but just a few. There are a few who seem injury prone, but that’s impossible to predict, and Bush has no history or injury.
Where do you stand on the situation? We’re a house divided on staff. Some of us (myself included) think the added workload will help; as many great backs need to get into a steady rhythm. Assuming the Saints offensive line issues can be corrected (and barring a major hidden injury, I don’t see why they can’t), I think the team is bound to improve from what’s been a woeful start. Bush’s year end numbers are likely to look different now than they would have; I don’t see him catching 88 passes like last year. But I could see him racking up at least 200 carries and 50-60 receptions. Even if you assume he averages a meager 3.8 yards per carry; Bush is still a good bet to put up top 10-12 numbers if he can hold up to the increased workload; particularly in PPR leagues.
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