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All eyes on Bush
Will Reggie report on time? Will he be Saints' savior?
Posted: Friday May 26, 2006 12:22PM; Updated: Friday May 26, 2006 3:00PM




While I'm glad the NFL didn't make an exception and allow Reggie Bush to wear number 5, I'm more intrigued with another Bush drama these days: Will the former USC star be a holdout when training camp opens this summer?

In mid-May, Bush virtually ruled out a holdout. "I told my agent I want to be here in camp on time, whatever it takes," Bush said. "I don't want to get caught up in holdouts or things like that."

Then this week, Bush came out with a verbal shift as nifty as one of his football moves. While reiterating his desire to attend camp on time, Bush told ESPN's Len Pasquarelli: "[Agent Joel Segal] knows we have to have a fair offer, one that meets our expectations."

I'm willing to bet that the Saints' definition of fair won't mesh with Bush's expectations. After coming tantalizingly close to being the top pick, Bush probably wants at least the same amount as No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams, who signed a six-year, $54 million deal, which included about $26 million in guarantees, with the Texans.

I can't fault Bush for wanting top dollar. He has drawn comparisons to Gale Sayers and been trumpeted as New Orleans' ostensible savior. Franchise Saints don't come cheaply. But if New Orleans' proposal is only slightly less than what Williams got, Bush should sign ASAP.

Hurricane Katrina has caused the population of the city of New Orleans to plummet, reportedly by more than half, to about 200,000. And Bush squabbling over money in a city where many residents live in poverty will threaten the lovefest between him and his fans. Bush's image, besmirched in some eyes by his parents' housing brouhaha, would risk taking another blow. (One thing that could work in Bush's favor, though, is owner Tom Benson's reputation for being frugal. Benson has been reviled in New Orleans since reports came out last year that he wanted to move the franchise to San Antonio. If Bush holds out, fans might just blame Benson first.)

Serious discussions with top picks generally don't occur until early July, after teams make roster moves to increase cap space. And Segal may wait for No. 3 pick Vince Young to cut a deal with Tennessee. That way, Bush doesn't risk seeing Young sign a better contract. Keep in mind that last year, most first-round picks -- 23 to be exact -- held out, if only briefly, because of contract issues. So I'm not overly optimistic that Bush won't hold out.

Beyond the public ramifications of a holdout, Bush can't afford to miss any camp as he tries to master New Orleans' playbook. New coach Sean Payton has devised unconventional plays to use Deuce McAllister and Bush in the same backfield, and we all know that practice makes perfect.

Moreover, last year's draft provided cautionary tales of top tailbacks holding out: Cedric Benson, drafted fourth overall by the Bears, missed a month of training camp and became a bit player in Chicago's improbable 11-4 season, suffering a knee injury that caused him to miss six weeks. He finished with 67 carries for 272 yards while playing behind Thomas Jones.

Miami's Ronnie Brown, the No. 2 pick, also held out. For most of the season, Brown was overshadowed by the only top rookie tailback who didn't miss any camp: Tampa Bay's Cadillac Williams. The No. 5 overall selection, Williams rushed for an NFL rookie-record 434 yards in his first three games before being slowed by injuries.

Bush, however, may face more pressure than any rookie running back in recent years. He is viewed as a transcendent athlete -- a role he has embraced: "I could help bring some smiles back to the faces of New Orleans," he said.

I've always considered it hokey that a professional athlete can "save" a region. But there's no doubt that Bush has provided hope to a moribund franchise and to a beleaguered city. (New Orleans has cars with bumper stickers that read: "Thank you, Houston.")

Quarterback Drew Brees' signing with the Saints in March spurred ticket sales. The drafting of Bush caused such a spike that last week the club announced the sale of a record 55,000 season tickets, virtually ensuring a sellout for every game at the 65,000-seat Superdome this season. That's remarkable considering the Saints went 3-13 last season.

Bush will be the third anointed savior in the franchise's 40-year history, following in the footsteps of quarterback Archie Manning and tailback Ricky Williams, neither of whom helped the Saints to a Super Bowl.

All eyes will be on him, and his won't be an easy task. Despite averaging 7.3 yards per rushing attempt last season at USC, Bush will have to make adjustments in his rookie season. In the NFL, the holes will close quicker, the defenders will hit harder, opponents won't regularly have inferior talent. The NFL's season, including exhibitions, is about twice as long as a college season.

So for Bush to reach such high -- perhaps quixotic -- expectations, it's critical that he's in camp on time.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ie.bush/1.html