ssmitty

Saints Rb Bush Practices For First Time

August 1, 2006

By SportsTicker

JACKSON, Mississippi (Ticker) -- Reggie Bush wanted more money than fellow rookies Mario Williams and Vince Young. The Heisman Trophy-winning running back even has a chance of getting more annually than the reigning NFL MVP.

The second overall pick in the 2006 draft, Bush agreed in principle to a six-year deal that could be worth up to $62 million with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. He will get $26.3 million in guaranteed money.

On Tuesday, Bush practiced for the first time and addressed the media at the team's training facility.

"It was great to get my feet wet," Bush said after practice. "I think we got this (the contract) done sooner than most people thought. Now I just want to get ready for the season."


Williams, the No. 1 overall pick by the Houston Texans, will receive $26.5 million guaranteed, but his total package is a six-year deal worth $54 million.

Quarterback Vince Young, who was selected third overall by the Tennessee Titans, placed third in guaranteed money at $25.7 million, but his six-year deal could be worth as much as $58 million.

If Bush reaches all the incentives, his deal would surpass that of Shaun Alexander, who signed an eight-year, $62 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks in February. Alexander's contract includes more than $15 million in the first year in bonuses (signing and roster) and salary.

LaDainian Tomlinson of San Diego signed an eight-year, $60 million contract last summer, a deal that included nearly $21 million in bonuses.

Alexander, 28, won the rushing title with 1,880 yards and set a single-season record with 27 touchdowns as the Seahawks reached the Super Bowl for the first time in their 30-year history.

But it is Bush who has the potential to be the highest-paid back if he meets all the incentives in his deal. And he will not even have to be a workhorse for the Saints this season.

New Saints coach Sean Payton will have Bush in his backfield along with Deuce McAllister, a three-time 1,000-yard rusher who is coming off a torn ACL in his knee.

Bush is more than a playmaker - he's a gamebreaker. NFL scouts compare him to the likes of Barry Sanders, Gale Sayers and Marshall Faulk.

In his final collegiate season as a junior, Bush led Southern California to the 2005 BCS Championship Game by rushing for 1,740 yards on 200 carries for an astounding 8.7 yard average and catching 37 passes for 478 yards and two scores.

Bush's 2,890 all-purpose yards last season ranked third in Division I-A history.

In 39 games at USC, Bush scored 42 touchdowns and had 99 plays of 20 yards or more. He posted 6,551 all-purpose yards in his career, including 3,169 yards on 433 carries.

http://www.kffl.com/article.php/52916/115

papz

I don't know why so many experts compare Bush to Barry all the time, I don't see any similiarites.

LSUJeremy

Really? I think he's about the closest thing to Sanders I've seen because of his agility and explosiveness.

nedly

I have seen side by side comparisons of the running styles and the player i believe bush to be a virtual clone of is Gale Sayers. He is almost identical in physical stature to him as well as Walter Payton. Now if he can just produce a hall of fame career!

gandhi1007

It's his cut-back abilities, Papz. No one has shown those cuts since the elusive Barry Sanders. Not to mention...alot of fans weren't born yet when Sayers was playing.

papz

Gail Sayers... I can see that comparison. As far as Barry, he's one of a kind. He danced on that field... and Bush is Bush. You don't see Bush breaking ankles and putting people in IR. Cecil Collins had that Barry Sanders ability, he just never materialized into anything. Curtis Martin, Gale Sayers, and Terrell Davis had that cut back ability and no one ever compared them to Sanders. Dominick Davis is more Barry Sanders like than Bush is in my opinion and he's no where close.

SaintPauly

Watching Bush play, even against Texas in the N.C., his vision seems to be his best asset. It's almost like he has some psychic abillities or something. Sees the holes, and has the speed to get through them. Once he's in the clear? Gone! Speed, elusiveness, vision.... wow. Complete back. Another upside is the fact that he had great games, no matter who the defense was. So it's not like he only torched B-teams. I just hope we have enough of an offensive line to keep him running, and Brees on his feet.

DJLengai

He has a lot of similar moves to Barry, but he's more like Donte Hall or Mike Vick as a runner. Barry is 1 of a kind and did things none of these guys are capable of. I see the Marshall Faulk and Sayers comparisons which is not bad to have on your team at all.

papz

I see a lot of Faulk in him also. I have a lot of Sanders highlights... if I can understand how to upload them onto the site, I'll share them with yall. Man, was Barry one of a kind.

flacajun

Not to say anyting bad about Sanders ( great running back) but he was only good from the 20 to the 20. Bush needs to be better than Sanders and get into the Zone.