Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Posted Sep 27th 2007
by Michael David Smith


In 1989, the Green Bay Packers chose Michigan State offensive lineman Tony Mandarich with the second pick in the NFL draft, and everyone agreed that he was a sure thing. Instead, he became one of the biggest busts in history.

In 2006, the New Orleans Saints chose USC running back Reggie Bush with the second pick in the NFL draft, and everyone agreed that he was a sure thing. Now Mike Freeman of Spotsline argues that Bush is starting to resemble Mandarich.

"Mandarich is without question the most overrated draft prospect in the history of sports. And this is where Bush comes in. He's not so far behind Mandarich when it comes to creating a magnanimous image that isn't real. Not so far at all."

Freeman is certainly correct that Bush is overrated right now. In fact, it's so widely agreed upon that Bush is overrated that I'm not sure how much longer he can stay overrated. I do still think Bush can be a good NFL player, but I really don't think he'll ever become a great one. And given the expectations people had for him when he entered the league, that makes him a disappointment.

"To even mention Bush and Mandarich in the same breath is so damn disrespectful. No Bush is not the next Barry Sanders like a lot of people said he was going to be, but he's not a bust either. He still broke the rookie record for receptions that stood for over 20 years. Mandarich didn't do a damn thing, you media guys hype a player up and when he don't live up to your expectations you call them a bust. Well I got one thing to say to that. Reggie, take this oppotunity and shove it up their asses, and shut all of them the "F" up!"

FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Bush is going to be fine. Just remember, there is a lot of film on him now. Teams are adjusting to him is to be expected. Teams are learning that they do not have to put an entire game plan around stopping him. When the counter adjustments are made by the Saints, he is going to blow up again. This kind of stuff happens all the time in the NFL. This is primarily the reason for the infamous sophomore jinx that we all hear about.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Its not a one man show... you got to block. There is not Reggie is another Barry Sanders. Won't do anything if you expect him to put the team on his back and carry the team. FORGET REGGIE ALREADY. BUILD A FOOTBALL TEAM. I don't want to be the New Orleans Reggie Bush. We need to be a team, the New Orleans Saints.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Reggie is better than Madarich, but he certainly has problems for a running back. He does not appear to like to take a hit. As for blocking, do the saints block better for Deuce than they do for Reggie? Maybe Reggie would make a better reciever.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

This is almost as stupid as the AB is better than Brees I read yesterday. I wish the people writing this trash would at least do some research first. Bush is doing what the coach is telling him to do. The OL is getting blasted. When they pull it together then judge Bush.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Nothing was said about Mandarich after one season and a few games anyway. Even though this is most ridiculous and asinine comparison I've ever heard. The guy who wrote such trip is bored to hell, staying up nights LOOKING for something to write about..................

For the life of me, I just don't get all this "final analysis" about Reggie Bush, and knee-jerk reaction to this early season blip. Talk of Barry Sanders, Tony Mandarich..........regret the Saints drafted him, calling for a trade, etc, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah........

I'll tell you whats really happening, from an outsiders point of view. What's really happening is that more than a few Saints fans are exposing themselves as "lightweight" fans of pro football. Success is something new to them, and they're showing their age in the "bigtime" of the NFL by not being able to handle any "bumps in the road". It's amazing to watch this happening. Eight months ago, there was talk of "the beginning of something big" around here. Pundits from coast-to-coast were speaking of the next Niner or Cowboy thing in N.O. The FIRST TIME since this new Saints era that EVERYTHING doesn't go according to Hoyle, and people vanish faster than a set a rims at a rap concert!!
I'm sorry. Far be it for me, new around here and not "family" to come around here scolding and barking. But I'm amazed about the "rats off a sinking ship" mentality of many 'round here. I know this league is a "what have you done for me lately" league. But success in ANY endeavor, not the least of which NFL football, doesn't happen in one moment or year.
I'm sorry to say this, but "Grow UP"!!! It's one thing to be honest about your teams pitfalls and genuinely citing what needs to improve. It's a whole 'nother thing to be calling for Reggie Bush's head and throwing him under the buss one year into his tenure! You gotta' have at LEAST 4-5 years of Bush before you can make an honest and accurate assessment of his value. Certainly not one full year (as a rookie, even) and a few games.
You want to pull a "Farve" like the Falcons did, have at it. If he was a 7 year all-pro, and came to town and underachieved, I could see the criticism and "buyers remorse". But it's WAAAAAAY premature to be hearing some of this "get rid of him" crap.
Keep this up, and you're gonna' have a classic case of a great player with a chip on his shoulder, wanting "OUT" of N.O.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

4-5 years for a RB... BS. No 2-3 years sure but not 4-5 that is for WR's. Its not Reggies fault but everyone was so big and thought he was the savior and he is not and never will be. Drafting a player like him isn't the answer. Building a football team where football was ment to be played is and that is Oline and Dline. No one really has a legit gripe at either pinning it all on Reggie or not. The real problem is with everyone trying to make a quick fix for the team and the fix is over and now the real problem shows. The boat is sinking because you didn't build the damn lines. They didn't take the time it takes to draft and build the team the way it was suppose to be built. GET A LINE and you'll be in a lot more games and have more winning seasons that 8 in 40.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Euph in previoius posts it was 3-4 years for WR's.

You have to have players like Reggie Bush on your team, that's why the term "game breakers" was invented. Drafting Reggie was not a mistake.

Name an offensive lineman from the 49ers SB era.

Sadly, the Saints have drafted OL and DL. They just aren't very good.
Granted only 3 of our last 8 first round picks have been lineman... But 2 of the last 4 have.

If you want to point to drafts, where is a franchise QB? Where is a top teir CB?
They have not been drafted either.

4 of the last 8 1st round picks by the Patriots have been OL/DL.
Is 1 more lineman that much of and advantage?

4 of Arizona's last 1st round 8 picks were OL/DL.
What is their problem?

All I am saying is don't blame Reggie Bush b/c he was drafted 2nd overall.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

So going 0-4 is ok with you??? is that ok? That isn't a mistake??? Going backwards instead of forwards is ok?

Come on man to easy... YOu don't need to know who the linemen are the fact that they won many a SB's. Traditionally OL and DL are the most unknown people on the team but they are the ones who win the games. Football is a team sport not a reggie sport. You need other players around to block.

Game Breakers... you don't have game breakers if you have no one to block for them.

I am not saying 100 percent Reggie was a mistake but let me explain it this way... It will take us 2-3 maybe 4 years to build our lines they way they should be. Do you think Brees and Bush will be around and deal with losing seasons until then? Brees will be done as a QB very soon he is going to end up to shell-shocked much like AB. Bush, I don't see it in him being around to long if we continue to miss the mark and not work on the lines, how much patence is he going to have when he can go and make a name for himself in bigger markets and WIN.

Just in case you haven't been paying attention you might want to watch an AZ game. They have scored 63 and they don't have a Reggie. They have one a game this year and they look like they are turning it around. Once there QB develops they are going to be pretty good. Give them some more time.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

One more statement I'd like to make...

"REGGIE BUSH has been a non-factor this year". Give him and offensive line he stands a chance to being a factor.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

good GOD he's no Mandarich

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Yes and I am making a big assumption in saying that the Houston Texans are glad they past on him.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

wow, you're going to give Leinart "time to develop" and you've already declared REggie a mistake?

Tiki Barber said it took him 4 years to figure out the NFL.

My point was, AZ and NE have taken teh same path in the draft with far different results.
Why?
Since you can't figure it out, I will tell you.
You need impact players in crucial positions.
Not just on the line.
You don't pass these players up b/c you think there is a formula.
A formula which I have proved does not work.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

You take AZ, I will take NO and see who has more wins at the end of the year.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

I love it when **** put words in my mouth. I didn't say Reggie is a mistake I am saying he was the wrong pick for us!!!

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

IMO Bush isn't the problem in N.O, I just don't know why their in the position their in right now, the entire them is just bogged down and no one can winch them out but themselves.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

You can honestly say that Reggie Bush was the wrong pick? We're you saying that during the draft? I don't think you thought that comment through.

Previous #2's:
06 - Reggie Bush (11TDs in career)
05 - Ronnie Brown (14TDs in career)
04 - Robert Gallery (No PBs, Moved to G from T)
03 - Charles Rogers (Currently a Free Agent)
02 - Julius Peppers (Exception)
01 - Leonard Davis (No PBs, Moved to G from T)
00 - Lavar Arrington ("former professional FB player" - Wikipedia)
99 - Donovan McNabb (Exception)
98 - Ryan Leaf ("former professional FB player" - Wikipedia)
97 - Darrell Russell (Banned from league in 01, Died in car crash 12/15/05)

If those ten guys were being drafted today, who would you take above Reggie right now? Peppers? Maybe McNabb? Remember that Reggie is on pace for 10-11 TDs right now and has been splitting carries. Given the track record of #2 picks, I would say that Reggie is a blessing. That's not even counting the exposure the team gets for having him on the field.

Another thing: who are you guys blasting for bad drafts? It's Payton's second season and at last count 4 rookies have started and made impacts with a probability of a fifth this week.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Bush suck's, he is not a RB, you guys or just trying to justify all that Bush gear you bought, i don't see peterson for the vinkings with this promblem ????? if you can't play your possion in the nfl then you don't have a job !!!! the team waisting to much time to find plays for him, its going to be the same thing that atl went through with vick, let change the hole offence for Bush !!!!!!!!!, how about plan your possion Bush.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

It looks like I'm going to have to defend Bush here.

BTW the word is spelled position.

Bush has done what he's been asked to do. For the 21 games of his career so far he has been asked to be the X factor the offense. Payton has deliberately put him all over the field.

He has done well in that position. The offense was doing well last season because defenses had to account for his X factor. The kid caught 88 balls and scored 9 TDs.

At the end of last season he was running better too. He has a 100 YD game against the Giants.

Now flip the page. This season the offense has been a total and complete flop. Bush has contributed to this by putting the ball on the carpet. But Deuce, Brees, the line, the receivers, the coaches have also contributed to this collapse. Hell even the water boy is at fault at this point.

The guy isn't LJ, Steven Jackson, Gore, or Deuce. He may grow into what Barber, LT, Westbrook, or Dunn have become over the last several seasons. But it hasn't been what he's been asked to do up until now.

He does have the level of talent that revamping an offense for him is required. 3 yards and a cloud of dust wastes his skills.

So I just want to be sure that you're saying that getting the ball 25 times a game between the tackles is the only requirement for being a RB in the NFL?

Personally if I'm Coach Payton I ignore the naysayers and keep using Bush the way I've been using him. Put him in the slot. Bring him around the edge. Run bubble screens, slants, and wheels for the guy. Isolate him in space on LBs and safeties that can't keep up.

That utilizes his talent.

BTW of course until the offense gets back to the fundamentals of blocking, catching, and not turning over the ball, it's all moot anyway.

SFIAH

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Ya see what AZ did to Pitt???

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Yes IN FACT I DID say that before the draft during and NOW. Brick should have been our pick. To fix this team from the ground up not just a quick fix that isn't going to last very long.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

It's "conscious", not concious.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Tony Mandarich?

I would not go that far

lets look at this from an objective point
Bush is not having a grate season due to the lack of affective blocking not because he is a flop
come on the few times he did get some blocks up front he moved the ball well

I think that the Reggie bashing is getting out of hand

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Seems to me there are quite a few that skip'd their english class.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

sorry I had an after thought...
lets look at LT and the bolts
they are having a bad start to there season and you don't here people saying crap like this about him

boy I am getting pissed with these 2 faced, no good piece of $&!+ reporters

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

TOTALLY agree!!! Not to mention the morons who like to read only what they wanted to read.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

If somehow Reggie starts to come into his own this season, the same schmucks would be singing his praise to sell papers and magazines. When they run out of things to write, they start inventing stories and slinging "What if's". Reggie is a good player and we are better for having him among our crew. Since we lost Duece we are going to see a lot more of what he can do. If we lead him with Karney he's going to break a few...and make a lot of people take notice.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Euph,

While I generally agree that drafting big uglies is a good idea, I have to respectfully disagree here. Reggie eventually will grade out to that once a decade skill player that you cannot afford to pass up. While I certainly would have picked DaBrick over SuperMario, when Reggie became available he was by far the best player in the draft.

Now Meachem is a completely different story. That's the kind of pick you use to upgrade the line. Dude is a complete waste for at least 2 years.

SFIAH

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

I'll have to disagree about the best player in the draft. He maybe the best roleplayer... but not best football player, not even best player. He wasn't rookie of the year... and has barely kept us above .500 as far as the regular season goes, since he has been in a Saints uniform.

At least with Da Brink you are getting a FOOTBALL PLAYER.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

The ONLY ONLY concern I have about Reggie Bush is that I believe that he is TOO SMALL and TOO LIGHT to be a great playmaker on Offense. I may be wrong about this . . .I hope I am.

Yes, Reggie looks a little rough around the edges at times BECAUSE HE IS STILL YOUNG. He can get smarter and more experience, but, can he put on more muscle and size?

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

When its all said and done it doesn't matter wtf your stats are... all that matters is wins. Do they equate to wins??? 10-9 regular sesaon record and dropping.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

Euph, I understand that you believe Reggie was the wrong pick for us and we should have gone for DaBrick and built up our o-line. Well, living up here in NY and having to suffer through jets and giants games every week let me tell you, if you think Reggie has struggled, watch a jets game. DaBrick is HORRIBLE, most Jets fans want him on the bench. The guy is always getting beat, has no clue what is going on and is a lot closer to Mandarich than Reggie ever will. The only reason he's still starting on their o-line is because of the money he is making.

So, if we would have gone for DaBrick, we'd be having the same conversation now about building up the o-line only we'd be without Reggie. It is way too early to be calling Reggie a bust. Give him time, I have a feeling that being the go to guy now, he is going to explode. Yes the o-line has struggled and there's nothing Reggie can do about that, but DaBrick wouldn't have done anything to make out o-line better, trust me.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

See if you want to put words in my mouth then at least get them half right! I NEVER called Reggie a bust nor even hinted he was going to be a bust. I know its way to early but if we want to make him a bust keep him in a Saints uniform and behind our OLine and he will turn out to be a bust. I am sick and tired of you people putting words in my mouth.

One person on the Oline isn't going to make that much of a difference either. You need so spend 2-3 years building the line with the top quality young players and letting them develop and get familiar with one another to have that trust factor going as well.

If Fergeson was so horrible how come the Jets Offense looks far better than ours and they don't have Reggie... yeah ok. Pennington looks like a Pro-bowler compared to Brees. Yeah there Oline isn't doing the job. GET OUT OF HERE. ...and just wait until they get going in another year or two you come talk to me then.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

NEGATIVE... I said it! I shouted it then... Mangold/Fergeson. Yeah there was some, not many but some. I think its funny everyone/majority of people were all excited and got there panties wet about Reggie not going one. But I was still eyeing trading down or taking a TOP lineman.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

To all of you out there, I think you need to remember what Scott Fujita said last week.
The only member of this team playing up to his ability right now is Steve Weatherford the punter. Unless the entire team wakes up and plays on the level they are capable of this will be one long season and every reporter will let us have it because that is what they do best, write crap.

Re: Is Reggie Bush the New Tony Mandarich?
 

You can call it crap... but if you walk like a duck, talk like a duck and smell like a duck you are a duck.

Week in and week out if they stip onto the field it should be the reporters writing crap it should be us the fans giving them just what they give us... crap.