Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

METAIRIE, La. -- Reggie Bush enjoyed running a simulation of the Miami Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice this week -- and said he even broke out a few long runs with it.

But don't expect the New Orleans Saints to change what has led to their 5-0 start this season.


That's because head coach Sean Payton is unlikely to limit prolific quarterback Drew Brees' involvement in his offense.

Even Bush, one of the Saints' most explosive and versatile running backs, saw no reason to do so, despite the fun he had with the formation. Bush received extensive work on the scout team as the Saints prepare to play Sunday against the Dolphins, the team that runs the Wildcat more consistently and effectively than any other in the NFL.

"I think our offense is OK," Bush said, grinning at his understatement regarding an offense that led the league last season and ranks No. 1 so far in 2009. "I don't think we need to try to fix anything."

In the Wildcat formation, a running back takes a direct shotgun snap and has the option of running, handing off or even throwing, although passes aren't as common. Payton spoke at length about the formation this week, discussing how it effectively helps the offense gain a blocker because there is no traditional quarterback on the field.

Bush said he rarely worked on the scout team in 2008, but he was eager to take the extra work in practice this week.

"We wanted to give our defense the best look, if not try to make it harder so that they're prepared for what they're going to see," Bush said. "The Dolphins run the Wildcat very well."


Knowing they would have to play the Dolphins this season and suspecting that more teams might give the formation a try, the Saints have worked on defending against the Wildcat since offseason workouts started last spring, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said after Thursday's practice.

"We're trying not to get caught off guard, so every single week, every single practice schedule since I've been here, we've had a version of the Wildcat," Williams said. "Are we good enough? We'll see."

Bush said he didn't see his success running out of the formation as a reason for the Saints to be alarmed at how they might do against Ronnie Brown -- or former Saints running back Ricky Williams, who often takes the handoff from Brown.

"You want to break (big runs) now as opposed to during the game so they can see what we need to clean up," Bush said.

Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Unless they also had Thomas running the sweep at the same time I don't see how much this would help. That and the fact that Ronnie and Reggie are completely different style runners.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

...guess you don't grasp the concept of the scout team...

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Well yeah of course I do, I just don't see how having Bush in the Ronnie role will help prepare your 'D' for the wildcat. It will only prepare you for the way other teams try to run it.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

..so I take it the Dolphins don't have a scout team. I mean, imagine trying to give the Dolphins D a taste of Drew and Marques and Lance and Shockey and PT and Henderson and Meachem and Evans and Bush.... so, basically what you are saying is that the Dolphins are going to prepare for the Saints by just looking at film... ok...

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Well yeah you can only try to match the other teams offence and players as close as you can with your personal. Which is my point, you have 3 backs there and your telling me that Bush is the closest out of those 3 to simulate Ronnie's running style? It seems to me he would be the worst choice of the 3. Thats all I'm saying.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

.. they are not trying to match the players. They are trying to match the plays..not only looking at the RB, but the blocking scheme as well.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Well thats an opinion I guess and everyone one has got one....Seems to me if the Coaching staff wants to practice with Reggie in the Wildcat who are we to question them......They haven't been wrong so far this year...:pokechop:

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Its hard to argue with anybody with that avatar, so I stand corrected.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Pierre Thomas would be better in the role. He wears #23 after all. Stand your ground! :mrgreen:

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Now I really don't know what to do because I like your avatar an awful lot as well hmmmmm. I actually do think Thomas makes more sense but I can only make that point so much before just shrugging my sholders and saying oh well just agree to disagree I guess.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

In all actuality Bell would be the best choice the more I think about it.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

I was just joking about the number. But I agree that Thomas makes for a better Ronnie Brown. Maybe they were trying to simulate Pat White with Reggie.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

My concern was that Reggie was gaining big runs on our defense.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Reggie has more speed than Brown & Williams so he gets to the corners a little faster,this would be the only Reason I could think of using him to simulate the Wildcat. The coaching staff knows what there doing so who am I to secong guess.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Maybe you guys/fins should worry about simulating Drew Brees. Just sayin... LOL

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Says who? If that's the case, maybe we've found a position for him. :confused:

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Yeah right how the heck do you do that? lol

Well in a way we have when we played the Colts and that didn't go so well.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

I was kind of thinking the same thing. The only player we have faster then Bush is Ginn and Pat White is pretty close and both are used in the wildcat.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

... people... people.. please!

Scout teams try to match the plays, not the players. That includes the blocking scheme, not just who throws the ball or runs the ball.

That Reggie was getting big runs against the defense in drills means nothing.

The idea is to acclamate the defense to the scheme so they can see it as close as real life as possible... the defense may have been running at full speed, but surely they are not going to hit Reggie or tackle Reggie with the reckless abandon they do in-game... kind of like an Armed Forces FTX: you don't simulate ground warfare between 2 units with live rounds, do you?

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

PJ Hill ran some WC as well...for what it's worth.

I'd say the biggest news here is that Reggie is running with the scout team instead of the starters.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

wow is anyone here comprehending what TR is saying?

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Yeah, that I could play on the scout team. Whohoo!!!

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

That's the first thing I thought about, too.

One thing, the Wild Cat isn't about Ricky and Ronnie, but also about the offensive line. They are good run blockers. Once Ricky and Ronnie get past the OL, they are both a load to bring down ... especially Ronnie. It should be a good match up for Greg Williams.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

I suggested that on their site that we may turn the tables on the Fins and use the wildcat on them. How ironic would that be. Their answer was very wise. Why take the football out of Brees hands and that they practice against it everyday ? Good argument and for us it is more of a trick play and Payton has not been so good at these but what if you do not see it coming. Went back and looked at some of their plays and I agree the offensive line is what makes this work and that is where the battle on the front end will be won or lost and the strong safety has to make the tackle if he misses it is lights out. That is where I think we have an advantage with Harper and Sharper.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Other teams have tried it and failed miserably. Jon Grudin made the point that you shouldn't try the wildcat against a 'D' that practices against the unit that does it better then anybody else.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

Set em straight Tob. I really dont think the wildcat will be that big of a deal. After this week, I dont want to hear the word wildcat for the rest of the season.

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

We practiced against Miami earlier this year, remember?

Re: Saints use RB Bush to simulate Dolphins' Wildcat offense in practice
 

toby said something?:doh:

the wildcat is going to work because its new.....when teams started passing the ball defenses struggled until they discovered how to effectively use the nickel and dime defenses

its only a matter of time before people much smarter than me figure out a defense that is prime to stop the wildcat......for now, i would load up on the line and make ronnie brown beat us through the air by passing

i have no problem with him popping off a pass every now and then as long as we keep their ground game under control