Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami

Big Dave · 10-25-2009, 12:12 PM

I think you all will pass up and down the field on us. We've had problems covering good tight ends. With that in mind, I think Reggie Bush has a break out game against us because we do not have anyone to stay with him.

Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami

Armando Salguero

This blog has broken down all sorts of statistics and matchups this week as the Dolphins have been preparing for the Saints. Some of the statistics favor Miami as do some of the matchups.

But one matchup has me sort of worried -- well, not really worried because it's not actually my butt on the line, but it has me interested. Yeah, interested is more correct.

Reggie Bush vs. whomever is going to cover him.

We all know that Bush has been the scout team Wildcat triggerman for the Saints this week. We know he's no longer the team's top running back and so he's not the Saints big run threat.

But he still gets his touches and I don't see anyone on the Dolphins defense that matches up too well against him. On passing downs, you're not going to put a cornerback or nickel back on the dude because, well, he's a running back coming out of the backfield.

Most teams deal with RBs coming out of the backfield with an OLB or a safety or with an ILB or some sort of zone coverage featuring all of the above. The Dolphins defer a lot to the zone coverage option because their linebackers typically are very big and not built for running step-for-step with running backs, much less those that run 4.3s as Bush supposedly does.

The problem is teams that think they can play zone successfully against the Saints passing game must also think they can jump in a pool and not get wet. It's not a good idea. Drew Brees carves up zones like they were cake.
So what to do with Bush? Do you let Jason Taylor or Akin Ayodele or Joey Porter or Channing Crowder try to stay with him? Do you enlist free safety Gibril Wilson as his shadow?

I don't know. But the point is which of the above stated possibilities sounds good? I don't think any of them sound too good.

Bush has caught 14 passes so far this year for 121 yards. That's only an 8.6 yard per catch average, with his longest reception stretching 29 yards. So he's done only minimal damage so far.

The interest here is whether the Dolphins can keep that damage from Bush to a minimum. Tell me your thoughts after you watch the video.

Miami Dolphins In Depth

Tobias-Reiper · 10-25-2009, 12:17 PM

... surely hope so.. so far he's not been a problem for anyone.. unless you count the fumbles fielding punts, which do cause problems...

Danno · 10-25-2009, 12:47 PM

I hear it every week, and yet Reggie still puts up mediocre numbers at best.

Here's to Reggie finally performing as we all hope and expect!

I'm not holding my breath however.

saintsfan1976 · 10-25-2009, 12:49 PM

Reggie Bush and "breakout performance this week".

Where have I heard that before?

mighty12 · 10-25-2009, 01:22 PM

Well I benched him in my FFL so he must be due for a big one.

WhoDat205 · 10-25-2009, 01:25 PM

In his defense, he does "breakout" once or twice a season....

Danno · 10-25-2009, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by WhoDat205

In his defense, he does "breakout" once or twice a season....

Yep, and a lil' bit of Carmex does the trick.

Someone wake me when he breaks a freaking tackle.

Tobias-Reiper · 10-25-2009, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

Someone wake me when he breaks a freaking tackle.

Don't you have to go to work on Monday?

Danno · 10-25-2009, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Tobias-Reiper

Don't you have to go to work on Monday?

LOL!!!

voodooido · 10-25-2009, 01:44 PM

Reggie would fumble on a wet fart. If it rains keep him at the hotel.

10-25-2009, 12:12 PM	#1
Big Dave Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 20	Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami I think you all will pass up and down the field on us. We've had problems covering good tight ends. With that in mind, I think Reggie Bush has a break out game against us because we do not have anyone to stay with him. Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami Armando Salguero This blog has broken down all sorts of statistics and matchups this week as the Dolphins have been preparing for the Saints. Some of the statistics favor Miami as do some of the matchups. But one matchup has me sort of worried -- well, not really worried because it's not actually my butt on the line, but it has me interested. Yeah, interested is more correct. Reggie Bush vs. whomever is going to cover him. We all know that Bush has been the scout team Wildcat triggerman for the Saints this week. We know he's no longer the team's top running back and so he's not the Saints big run threat. But he still gets his touches and I don't see anyone on the Dolphins defense that matches up too well against him. On passing downs, you're not going to put a cornerback or nickel back on the dude because, well, he's a running back coming out of the backfield. Most teams deal with RBs coming out of the backfield with an OLB or a safety or with an ILB or some sort of zone coverage featuring all of the above. The Dolphins defer a lot to the zone coverage option because their linebackers typically are very big and not built for running step-for-step with running backs, much less those that run 4.3s as Bush supposedly does. The problem is teams that think they can play zone successfully against the Saints passing game must also think they can jump in a pool and not get wet. It's not a good idea. Drew Brees carves up zones like they were cake. So what to do with Bush? Do you let Jason Taylor or Akin Ayodele or Joey Porter or Channing Crowder try to stay with him? Do you enlist free safety Gibril Wilson as his shadow? I don't know. But the point is which of the above stated possibilities sounds good? I don't think any of them sound too good. Bush has caught 14 passes so far this year for 121 yards. That's only an 8.6 yard per catch average, with his longest reception stretching 29 yards. So he's done only minimal damage so far. The interest here is whether the Dolphins can keep that damage from Bush to a minimum. Tell me your thoughts after you watch the video. Miami Dolphins In Depth
Big Dave Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 20

10-25-2009, 12:17 PM	#2
Tobias-Reiper Merces Letifer Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4,161	Re: Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami ... surely hope so.. so far he's not been a problem for anyone.. unless you count the fumbles fielding punts, which do cause problems...

10-25-2009, 12:47 PM	#3
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,748	Re: Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami I hear it every week, and yet Reggie still puts up mediocre numbers at best. Here's to Reggie finally performing as we all hope and expect! I'm not holding my breath however.

10-25-2009, 12:49 PM	#4
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,972 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami Reggie Bush and "breakout performance this week". Where have I heard that before?

10-25-2009, 01:22 PM	#5
mighty12 500th Post Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 980 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami Well I benched him in my FFL so he must be due for a big one.

10-25-2009, 01:25 PM	#6
WhoDat205 Prediction Pain Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 1,082 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami In his defense, he does "breakout" once or twice a season....

10-25-2009, 01:32 PM	#7
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,748	Re: Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami Originally Posted by WhoDat205 In his defense, he does "breakout" once or twice a season.... Yep, and a lil' bit of Carmex does the trick. Someone wake me when he breaks a freaking tackle.

10-25-2009, 01:35 PM	#8
Tobias-Reiper Merces Letifer Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4,161	Re: Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami Originally Posted by Danno Someone wake me when he breaks a freaking tackle. Don't you have to go to work on Monday?

10-25-2009, 01:37 PM	#9
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,748	Re: Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami Originally Posted by Tobias-Reiper Don't you have to go to work on Monday? LOL!!!

10-25-2009, 01:44 PM	#10
voodooido 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2,819	Re: Reggie Bush a matchup problem for Miami Reggie would fumble on a wet fart. If it rains keep him at the hotel.
voodooido 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2,819