New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Article Bush set for big year

After struggling at the beginning of his rookie season, Reggie Bush turned it on in the second half of 2006 and helped the New Orleans Saints reach the NFC championship game.

But the next two years were mostly forgettable ones.

Knee injuries played a major role in those disappointing seasons. Unfulfilled high expectations did, too.

Bush started last season still recovering from a knee injury he suffered in 2008, and as he got healthier, he got better.

Now, Bush is prepared to start a season fully healthy for the first time since his second year in the NFL.

And strangely enough, there's not a lot of talk about the former second-overall pick.

In past years, Bush was a focal point of media attention. Could he replicate his feats from at USC? Could he ever become a full-time running back? Should he move to wide receiver? Will the Saints trade him?

This year, those questions aren't being asked.

For once, there doesn't seem to be any unrealistic expectations for Bush.

That means there is no pressure on Bush.

In his worst games, it always seemed Bush was trying to hard.

As last season wore on and less attention was cast upon Bush, he seemed to become more and more comfortable running the football.

He's always been a excellent receiver, and that continued last season.

But rushing the ball, he seemed more patient and more willing to take on a defender rather than trying to run around the defender.

Bush's explosiveness was on display in last year's run to the Super Bowl when he had 84 yards on five attempts, including a 46-yard touchdown run and an 83-yard punt return for a score against the Arizona Cardinals in the divisional playoffs.

So far, in the preseason, Bush has picked up where he left off.

Against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Bush had 49 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Most impressive was his four carries for 38 yards and a touchdown on the Saints opening drive.

Sure, it's just one drive in one preseason game, but it's a continuation of the way Bush ran in the second half of last season.

Again, though, if it hasn't been about the scandal during his days at USC, the spotlight hasn't been on Bush this offseason.

That's all going to change soon.

Bush is poised for his best season as a professional.

That doesn't mean he'll be a 1,000-yard rusher or score 20 touchdowns. In the Saints' offense, that isn't easy for a running back to do with how much Coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees like to spread the ball around to the many playmakers on the field.

But 700 rushing yards is attainable. And 500 receiving yards can be done. A couple punt returns for touchdowns are realistic. Even 15 total touchdowns isn't impossible.

These were the type expectations people had for Bush before his rookie year, when he was still learning how to play in the NFL, and then in subsequent years, when he spent most of his time hobbling around on one knee.

This year? Bush has learned the NFL and is healthy.

Sit back and enjoy the show.

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Bush set for big year | HoumaToday.com