The Truth About Reggie

thesaintsfan · 03-17-2008, 10:57 AM

Since I've been coming to this site I've learned one thing about you guys, you know you're stuff. Most of the people around here are the typical football fans who make bold statements with no info to back it up. So I come here to read intelligent posts and to have intelligent debates on everything Saints. I'm in north LA and alot of people up this way say that Reggie is a bum and we should've drafted Vince Young. I know how stupid that sounds but that's the kind of thing I hear all the time. I find myself defending Reggie alot and sometimes I wonder if I'm the one who is wrong about him. Maybe he never will be a great player or even a feature back.

So my question to you all is what do really think about Reggie Bush? Will he ever be a great player? Will he ever learn how to hit the hole without dancing behind the line? Can a RB mature and break years of bad running habits? With most backs you can tell if they are a stud or not after their first year. It's obvious if a guy can run because it comes so natural to the good ones. Reggie has the skill set to be great but it seems like something is missing. So tell me the truth about Reggie. And I'm sure you guys have talked about this alot before I arrived but one more time wouldn't hurt.

rjakapeanut · 03-17-2008, 11:02 AM

the only reason we debate this so much is because we used a #2 overall pick to draft him. if he was a 3rd round draft pick we'd be optimistic, but since we spent the 2nd overall on him we expect results instantly. he isn't an Adrian Peterson type back. hes a Brian Westbrook type back, and that type of back typically requires a couple season before he gets a firm grasp on things. look at Westbrook and Tiki Barber.

yeah, I think he'll be a great RB. this season or next. thats about the learning curve, lol.

WVSaint · 03-17-2008, 11:10 AM

The truth about Reggie is that he can be a great player if used properly. I dont think he can be a great RB, but he can still be a great player. If you look at most of his big plays its when we give him the ball in space where he has enough time to use his vision and agility. I dont think Reggie will be a great between the tackles kind of guy. But im sure he can be a great player, but we need to establish a run game (that isnt Reggie) for him to be effective. Losing Deuce in the offense last year, was a big part of Reggies down year IMO

mikesaintfan · 03-17-2008, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by WVSaint

The truth about Reggie is that he can be a great player if used properly. I dont think he can be a great RB, but he can still be a great player. If you look at most of his big plays its when we give him the ball in space where he has enough time to use his vision and agility. I dont think Reggie will be a great between the tackles kind of guy. But im sure he can be a great player, but we need to establish a run game (that isnt Reggie) for him to be effective. Losing Deuce in the offense last year, was a big part of Reggies down year IMO

Well put. I think Reggie needs to be lined up as a WR more often to not allow the defense to key on him(and occupy one of the CB's). The bottom line, make the "D" find him and adjust every play while Duece or Colston tear up the field.

Budsdrinker · 03-17-2008, 11:16 AM

I agree with peanut's comparison of wesbrook and barber. I also think he should be spread out as a receiver and on ST more.

Euphoria · 03-17-2008, 11:24 AM

Here is what I think... This theory "if he is used properly is crap". Whats great about this excuse is that people can use this excuse from now until eternity. When you are drafted that high you need to be a football player period.

With that said he is exactly what we drafted. A PR/KR who subs at RB/slot WR. If you expect great things from him, he may give you that from time to time but he isn't the guy to carry a team on his back and NEVER will. He is a roll-player.

Oh yeah and the other thing he was drafted for was to put butts in seats and sale jerseys. I'd say we got what we drafted.

Donuts32 · 03-17-2008, 11:48 AM

Euph that was pretty harsh. But I have to disagree. He isnt used properly. Payton really isnt using Reggie Bush like Westbrook or Faulk. I think he can carry a team on his back. He had 581 rushing yds in the 07 -08 season which I know isnt alot of yards but I believe if he wasnt injured his yards total would have been higher. Besides when Reggie was playing Payton called more passing plays than running plays.

Euphoria · 03-17-2008, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Donuts32

Euph that was pretty harsh. But I have to disagree. He isnt used properly. Payton really isnt using Reggie Bush like Westbrook or Faulk. I think he can carry a team on his back. He had 581 rushing yds in the 07 -08 season which I know isnt alot of yards but I believe if he wasnt injured his yards total would have been higher. Besides when Reggie was playing Payton called more passing plays than running plays.

It isn't harsh at all, nor am I bashing the guy. Its honest and factual. USC Reggie had some great plays but he wasn't the guy to carry the team on his back, that would have been white or a QB by the name of Leinhart. And if memory serves me correctly Vince Young was the guy who one a bowl game by taking the game into his own hands. Now before anyone says anything I am not for Vince Young being drafted either.

We got exactly what we drafted. So no problems but what becomes the problem is that people make excuses for why he is the way he is or people who call him a bust. He isn't either of those... he is exactly what he ever was, no more no less. So everyone so expect that.

pranksterjd · 03-17-2008, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Donuts32

Euph that was pretty harsh. But I have to disagree. He isnt used properly. Payton really isnt using Reggie Bush like Westbrook or Faulk. I think he can carry a team on his back. He had 581 rushing yds in the 07 -08 season which I know isnt alot of yards but I believe if he wasnt injured his yards total would have been higher. Besides when Reggie was playing Payton called more passing plays than running plays.

A red flag with Reggie in '07 wasn't the totals, so much as it was the 3.7 ypc. That is really not good ( at all ), and showed that, right now, he's not a guy that can run effectively between the tackles as a feature back.

Reggie Bush seems to be the prototypical guy that needs to get the ball in open space to make the home run plays that he was famous for in college. Pitches, screens, etc. are the key to this kid. Once he learns a bit more, maybe he can play a more featured role, but right now I wouldn't be confident in him without a "thunder" back to his "lightning".

bobad · 03-17-2008, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by pranksterjd

A red flag with Reggie in '07 wasn't the totals, so much as it was the 3.7 ypc. ...I wouldn't be confident in him without a "thunder" back to his "lightning".

Agreed.

I have no problems at all with Reggie except for his salary. No way we should be paying that much for a utility back. No other team ever has. In fact, utility backs are usually pretty low on the pay scale. We can still get some good seasons out of Reggie, but I doubt we will ever get our money's worth out of him.

03-17-2008, 10:57 AM	#1
thesaintsfan The Real Deal Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 174	The Truth About Reggie Since I've been coming to this site I've learned one thing about you guys, you know you're stuff. Most of the people around here are the typical football fans who make bold statements with no info to back it up. So I come here to read intelligent posts and to have intelligent debates on everything Saints. I'm in north LA and alot of people up this way say that Reggie is a bum and we should've drafted Vince Young. I know how stupid that sounds but that's the kind of thing I hear all the time. I find myself defending Reggie alot and sometimes I wonder if I'm the one who is wrong about him. Maybe he never will be a great player or even a feature back. So my question to you all is what do really think about Reggie Bush? Will he ever be a great player? Will he ever learn how to hit the hole without dancing behind the line? Can a RB mature and break years of bad running habits? With most backs you can tell if they are a stud or not after their first year. It's obvious if a guy can run because it comes so natural to the good ones. Reggie has the skill set to be great but it seems like something is missing. So tell me the truth about Reggie. And I'm sure you guys have talked about this alot before I arrived but one more time wouldn't hurt.

03-17-2008, 11:02 AM	#2
rjakapeanut 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 204	Re: The Truth About Reggie the only reason we debate this so much is because we used a #2 overall pick to draft him. if he was a 3rd round draft pick we'd be optimistic, but since we spent the 2nd overall on him we expect results instantly. he isn't an Adrian Peterson type back. hes a Brian Westbrook type back, and that type of back typically requires a couple season before he gets a firm grasp on things. look at Westbrook and Tiki Barber. yeah, I think he'll be a great RB. this season or next. thats about the learning curve, lol.
rjakapeanut 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 204	http://tinyurl.com/24uuaf

03-17-2008, 11:10 AM	#3
WVSaint 500th Post Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: West Virginia Posts: 807	Re: The Truth About Reggie The truth about Reggie is that he can be a great player if used properly. I dont think he can be a great RB, but he can still be a great player. If you look at most of his big plays its when we give him the ball in space where he has enough time to use his vision and agility. I dont think Reggie will be a great between the tackles kind of guy. But im sure he can be a great player, but we need to establish a run game (that isnt Reggie) for him to be effective. Losing Deuce in the offense last year, was a big part of Reggies down year IMO

03-17-2008, 11:21 AM	#4
mikesaintfan 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2006 Location: new jersey Posts: 1,070	Re: The Truth About Reggie Originally Posted by WVSaint The truth about Reggie is that he can be a great player if used properly. I dont think he can be a great RB, but he can still be a great player. If you look at most of his big plays its when we give him the ball in space where he has enough time to use his vision and agility. I dont think Reggie will be a great between the tackles kind of guy. But im sure he can be a great player, but we need to establish a run game (that isnt Reggie) for him to be effective. Losing Deuce in the offense last year, was a big part of Reggies down year IMO Well put. I think Reggie needs to be lined up as a WR more often to not allow the defense to key on him(and occupy one of the CB's). The bottom line, make the "D" find him and adjust every play while Duece or Colston tear up the field.

03-17-2008, 11:16 AM	#5
Budsdrinker A Cajun Transforming TX Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Woodlands, Texas Posts: 2,787	Re: The Truth About Reggie I agree with peanut's comparison of wesbrook and barber. I also think he should be spread out as a receiver and on ST more.

03-17-2008, 11:24 AM	#6
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	Re: The Truth About Reggie Here is what I think... This theory "if he is used properly is crap". Whats great about this excuse is that people can use this excuse from now until eternity. When you are drafted that high you need to be a football player period. With that said he is exactly what we drafted. A PR/KR who subs at RB/slot WR. If you expect great things from him, he may give you that from time to time but he isn't the guy to carry a team on his back and NEVER will. He is a roll-player. Oh yeah and the other thing he was drafted for was to put butts in seats and sale jerseys. I'd say we got what we drafted.
	E U P H O R I A

03-17-2008, 11:48 AM	#7
Donuts32 100th Post Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Orleans,La Posts: 306	Re: The Truth About Reggie Euph that was pretty harsh. But I have to disagree. He isnt used properly. Payton really isnt using Reggie Bush like Westbrook or Faulk. I think he can carry a team on his back. He had 581 rushing yds in the 07 -08 season which I know isnt alot of yards but I believe if he wasnt injured his yards total would have been higher. Besides when Reggie was playing Payton called more passing plays than running plays.

03-17-2008, 01:46 PM	#8
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	Re: The Truth About Reggie Originally Posted by Donuts32 Euph that was pretty harsh. But I have to disagree. He isnt used properly. Payton really isnt using Reggie Bush like Westbrook or Faulk. I think he can carry a team on his back. He had 581 rushing yds in the 07 -08 season which I know isnt alot of yards but I believe if he wasnt injured his yards total would have been higher. Besides when Reggie was playing Payton called more passing plays than running plays. It isn't harsh at all, nor am I bashing the guy. Its honest and factual. USC Reggie had some great plays but he wasn't the guy to carry the team on his back, that would have been white or a QB by the name of Leinhart. And if memory serves me correctly Vince Young was the guy who one a bowl game by taking the game into his own hands. Now before anyone says anything I am not for Vince Young being drafted either. We got exactly what we drafted. So no problems but what becomes the problem is that people make excuses for why he is the way he is or people who call him a bust. He isn't either of those... he is exactly what he ever was, no more no less. So everyone so expect that.
	E U P H O R I A

03-17-2008, 01:53 PM	#9
pranksterjd Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3	Re: The Truth About Reggie Originally Posted by Donuts32 Euph that was pretty harsh. But I have to disagree. He isnt used properly. Payton really isnt using Reggie Bush like Westbrook or Faulk. I think he can carry a team on his back. He had 581 rushing yds in the 07 -08 season which I know isnt alot of yards but I believe if he wasnt injured his yards total would have been higher. Besides when Reggie was playing Payton called more passing plays than running plays. A red flag with Reggie in '07 wasn't the totals, so much as it was the 3.7 ypc. That is really not good ( at all ), and showed that, right now, he's not a guy that can run effectively between the tackles as a feature back. Reggie Bush seems to be the prototypical guy that needs to get the ball in open space to make the home run plays that he was famous for in college. Pitches, screens, etc. are the key to this kid. Once he learns a bit more, maybe he can play a more featured role, but right now I wouldn't be confident in him without a "thunder" back to his "lightning".
pranksterjd Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3

03-17-2008, 02:36 PM	#10
bobad 100th Post Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 247	Re: The Truth About Reggie Originally Posted by pranksterjd A red flag with Reggie in '07 wasn't the totals, so much as it was the 3.7 ypc. ...I wouldn't be confident in him without a "thunder" back to his "lightning". Agreed. I have no problems at all with Reggie except for his salary. No way we should be paying that much for a utility back. No other team ever has. In fact, utility backs are usually pretty low on the pay scale. We can still get some good seasons out of Reggie, but I doubt we will ever get our money's worth out of him.
bobad 100th Post Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 247