Transcript of Reggie Bush's Thursday press conference
 

Posted by dtatum
October 18, 2007

What was the difference between the first half and second half Sunday night? Was it play-calling or something the defense did?


"I really don't think it was anything they did, I think it was more of a matter of us having to clean up our blocks and clean up some of the little things that we weren't doing as well as we did them in the first half. The key thing for us was to finish the game off with a win and we were able to do that. We're working on getting better every week. As long as we can do that and win games along the way, then we're going to be alright."


Did you guys get less aggressive after the fumble late in the game?


"No, I don't think so; not at all. We want to put points on the board and obviously the fumble in the red zone was a costly turnover for us but fortunately we came out with the win. That's something that I have to work on as a leader of this team; I can't fumble the ball in the red zone, or at all."


What was the biggest difference between the Carolina game and the Seattle game?


"We kind of took the crowd out of it early. We controlled the game from the start and I think that was key for us. Once we got on the board early, I think it took the wind out of them and we were able to carry that momentum on throughout the rest of the game."


What was the difference for you personally?


"I think it was just time for us as a team to put together a good game. We had been struggling the last four games, but I think it was due time. We have been working really hard and it was just time for us to put it together and have a good game. It was just time, as a team and individually. It was time to break it open. The offensive line did a great job opening up holes for me - most of the credit goes to them. They gave me a chance to make plays."


How important is it to get another quick start this week against Atlanta?


"We definitely want to do that. With this being a home game for us, we definitely want to defend our home territory. We haven't done that yet so this is going to be a different challenge for us - to win this game at home and get our first win at home."


Does your new role in the offense take you out of returning punts?


"Naturally. Lance (Moore) is the starting punt returner and he'll be doing most of the special teams stuff and my role will kind of decline on special teams."


Have you talked with Coach Payton about still returning punts?


"Not at all, because I understand the situation. It's not about me being on special teams. It's about other guys stepping up."


Do you as a team feel like you're back in the division race?


"It's going to take a couple more wins. This was only one win. There's a lot of football left to be played and we didn't do anything but win one game. We didn't win a playoff berth; we didn't win a championship; all we did was win one game and now we have to get two."


So you have to put this win behind you?


"We have to. We have no choice because we're in a tough spot now with four losses and we really don't have a lot of room for any more. We really have to get as many wins as we can."


A lot of people have said that the win in Seattle saved your season. Do you agree?


"For us, we're not even thinking about the season in general. We're thinking about this next game and that's it. We can't think about the season or where we're at or where we stand; we just have to think about this next win, this next team and take it from there."


Are you aware of the Saints-Falcons rivalry?


"It's a rivalry. They're a team that we play twice a year. They're in our division and we're going to see them again after this. We definitely want to dominate as much as possible in our division."


What does the return of Joe Horn add to the rivalry this week?


"I don't think anything at all. It's just another team. We can't worry about who they have on their sideline. Obviously we love Joe, but we can be friends after the game. Right now, it's just about us getting a win."


Do you expect to hear from him?


"I'm pretty sure we'll talk."

Transcript of Reggie Bush's Thursday press conference - New Orleans Saints Beat - Times-Picayune NFL - NOLA.com