should bush be allowed to return kicks vs injuries?

ssmitty · 05-06-2006, 04:33 AM

5. At USC, Reggie Bush was a touchdown waiting to happen as a returner. Oftentimes highly paid or high profile players in the NFL are kept away from the return game as general mangers and coaches are deathly afraid of losing a star to an injury on special teams.

Reggie Bush returning kicks isn't just scary for New Orleans' opponents. (Chris Graythen / Getty Images)

With that as a back drop, we asked Saints general manger Mickey Loomis if Bush would be used as a returner. Loomis said it would be totally up to Sean Payton and his staff, but he would never tell a coach not to play a top draft pick on special teams. Loomis did add he could conjure up a scenario where Bush was only back on returns in fourth quarter and special situations, similar to a role Deion Sanders once had.

For the record, I asked Bush about being a special teams player in the pros in February. He insisted at the time that he would beg his pro team to be back on every kick.

I think the ability to score every time he touches the ball outweighs the risk of injury. You can get hurt on any play in the NFL. You cannot coach scared. I think teams get too nervous about using highly paid players on special teams ever since the Jason Sehorn injury. Tim Brown returned punts his entire career, and he was able to always play at the receiver position.

Factor returns into the "touches" for Bush during his neophyte season. He should be back on kicks.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5576238

papz · 05-06-2006, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by ssmitty

I think the ability to score every time he touches the ball outweighs the risk of injury. You can get hurt on any play in the NFL. You cannot coach scared. I think teams get too nervous about using highly paid players on special teams ever since the Jason Sehorn injury. Tim Brown returned punts his entire career, and he was able to always play at the receiver position.

He was drafted to make plays and break games wide open... he should definately return kicks/punts. One reason that made him one of the top rated players in the draft was because of his ability to change games on special teams... no point in de-valuing him.

BlackandBlue · 05-06-2006, 08:32 AM

i'd let him return kicks, but not punts.

BoudinSandwich · 05-06-2006, 11:35 AM

Well, with Bush and Lewis sharing kick returning duties, I don't see why the opposing team would ever kick the ball in bounds.

Euphoria · 05-06-2006, 11:44 AM

I think the game plan needs to be to get him the ball 20 times a game, no matter how you do it this should be the goal. You don't want to wear him out, RB's don't last long in the league, and he and Deuce will be able to carry the load hopefully a bit longer and not ending a career early. I think they need to work in about 6-8 running plays, 6-8 out of the backfield catches and then in late half are towards the end of the game you put him in as a returner punts or kick offs its all good. That should get ya about 15-20 plays agame. You have to keep in mind if you want to keep Bush happy you have to let him be a returner that is his favorite position. HE WANTS TO RETURN KICKS...

pakowitz · 05-06-2006, 01:24 PM

i think u have to let him return punts BnB... teams will most likely kick away from him and that means better field position for us and if they do kick it too him... look out

patdog · 05-06-2006, 05:37 PM

We can't play scared, you gotta get the ball in his hands.

05-06-2006, 04:33 AM	#1
ssmitty 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,879	should bush be allowed to return kicks vs injuries? 5. At USC, Reggie Bush was a touchdown waiting to happen as a returner. Oftentimes highly paid or high profile players in the NFL are kept away from the return game as general mangers and coaches are deathly afraid of losing a star to an injury on special teams. Reggie Bush returning kicks isn't just scary for New Orleans' opponents. (Chris Graythen / Getty Images) With that as a back drop, we asked Saints general manger Mickey Loomis if Bush would be used as a returner. Loomis said it would be totally up to Sean Payton and his staff, but he would never tell a coach not to play a top draft pick on special teams. Loomis did add he could conjure up a scenario where Bush was only back on returns in fourth quarter and special situations, similar to a role Deion Sanders once had. For the record, I asked Bush about being a special teams player in the pros in February. He insisted at the time that he would beg his pro team to be back on every kick. I think the ability to score every time he touches the ball outweighs the risk of injury. You can get hurt on any play in the NFL. You cannot coach scared. I think teams get too nervous about using highly paid players on special teams ever since the Jason Sehorn injury. Tim Brown returned punts his entire career, and he was able to always play at the receiver position. Factor returns into the "touches" for Bush during his neophyte season. He should be back on kicks. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5576238
ssmitty 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,879

05-06-2006, 08:25 AM	#2
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,682	Re: should bush be allowed to return kicks vs injuries? Originally Posted by ssmitty I think the ability to score every time he touches the ball outweighs the risk of injury. You can get hurt on any play in the NFL. You cannot coach scared. I think teams get too nervous about using highly paid players on special teams ever since the Jason Sehorn injury. Tim Brown returned punts his entire career, and he was able to always play at the receiver position. He was drafted to make plays and break games wide open... he should definately return kicks/punts. One reason that made him one of the top rated players in the draft was because of his ability to change games on special teams... no point in de-valuing him.

05-06-2006, 08:32 AM	#3
BlackandBlue Kinder, gentler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,889	RE: Re: should bush be allowed to return kicks vs injuries? i'd let him return kicks, but not punts.

05-06-2006, 11:35 AM	#4
BoudinSandwich OldiesDJ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scott, LA Posts: 951 Blog Entries: 12	RE: Re: should bush be allowed to return kicks vs injuries? Well, with Bush and Lewis sharing kick returning duties, I don't see why the opposing team would ever kick the ball in bounds.

05-06-2006, 11:44 AM	#5
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	RE: Re: should bush be allowed to return kicks vs injuries? I think the game plan needs to be to get him the ball 20 times a game, no matter how you do it this should be the goal. You don't want to wear him out, RB's don't last long in the league, and he and Deuce will be able to carry the load hopefully a bit longer and not ending a career early. I think they need to work in about 6-8 running plays, 6-8 out of the backfield catches and then in late half are towards the end of the game you put him in as a returner punts or kick offs its all good. That should get ya about 15-20 plays agame. You have to keep in mind if you want to keep Bush happy you have to let him be a returner that is his favorite position. HE WANTS TO RETURN KICKS...
	E U P H O R I A

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05-06-2006, 01:24 PM	#6
pakowitz The Dark Overlord Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,450	RE: Re: should bush be allowed to return kicks vs injuries? i think u have to let him return punts BnB... teams will most likely kick away from him and that means better field position for us and if they do kick it too him... look out

05-06-2006, 05:37 PM	#7
patdog 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: westwego La Posts: 194	RE: Re: should bush be allowed to return kicks vs injuries? We can't play scared, you gotta get the ball in his hands.