Rating: (0 votes - average)

Seahawks offseason: Could New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush reunite with Pete Carroll in Seattle? (links, vote)

By Aaron Fentress, The Oregonian

February 12, 2010, 10:07AM

AP Photo/Matt SlocumNew Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush lifts the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Saints' 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. Could this have been his last game with the Saints? The New Orleans Saints have a choice to make regarding running back Reggie Bush and their decision could ultimately lead to the former USC superstar landing in Seattle next season.

Okay, it’s a stretch but the offseason is a time for wild speculation without validation.

Anyway, the Saints owe the 2006 No. 2-overall pick roughly $20 million over the next two seasons. A king’s ransom by any standards but ludicrous considering that Bush gained all of 725 total yards while scoring eight touchdowns last season.

His career-high for rushing in a season is 581 and his career average per carry is 4.0, not what one would expect from a running back with 4.3 speed. Needless to say, he’s not an every down back. Yet he’s being paid superstar running back money.

Would Reggie Bush be a good fit with the Seahawks?(opinion) There is speculation that the Saints will seek to restructure Bush’s deal. After all, the Saints have Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell in the backfield, both are better running backs than Bush.

Should Bush agree to a new contract, all would be good in New Orleans. Should Bush balk, the Saints could release him making him a free agent.

Then, of course, the talk as to where he might end up would begin and the Seattle Seahawks would be high on the rumor mill food chain given the connection to former USC and current Seattle coach, Pete Carroll.

But would Bush fit in with Seattle?

The Seahawks need a number-one running back. Bush is not that. But he would provide some excitement for what has been a pretty dull team the last few years.

With two first round picks (6, 14) in April’s draft, Seattle would be in position to select Clemson running back C.J. Spiller. But at 5-10, 197 pounds, Spiller might not fit the bill as a 300-carry back. So taking him and signing Bush could prove redundant.

To push the overrated USC connection a little further, Seattle could look into acquiring LenDale White from Tennessee as the power back and then use Bush as the speed back.

After a very productive two years in 2007 and 2008 (1,883 yards, 22 touchdowns) White took a backseat to 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson last season and had just 64 carries.

Of course, all of this is speculation but adding a homerun hitter like Bush would be a good start to reviving Seattle’s lethargic offense.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune speculates on Bush's future.

The Detroit News speculates that Bush could end up with the Lions.

-- Aaron Fentress

Seahawks offseason: Could New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush reunite with Pete Carroll in Seattle? (links, vote) | NFL and Seattle Seahawks - OregonLive.com

Rugby Saint II

I'd like to see Reggie stay, but if he wants the big bucks then I'll wave bye bye as he leaves.

Tobias-Reiper

Why would Reggie getting the big bucks matter if there isn't a salary cap next year?

SaintFanInATLHELL

It's not a matter of Reggie wanting the big bucks. The $8 million is his current contract. It's up to the Saints to decide if they want to pay it or not.

Under normal circumstances, when a big money contract gets to the back end, it gets restructured up or down depending on the performance of the player.

But this isn't normal circumstances. 2010 by all accounts is going to be an uncapped year. With no salary cap, the Saints, nor any other NFL team, has the rigid constraint to restructure contracts. In addition to the ton of UFAs that will become RFAs (because anyone with 4-6 years of service who would have become UFAs instead remain RFAs) that means that teams are going to get to keep a ton of RFAs that normally would have walked, or the teams would have had to pay if they were productive.

Bottom line is that the Saints will most likely pay Reggie the $8 million to stick around next year. Now 2011 may be a different story with a completely different CBA in place.

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

QBREES9

I'd like to see him stay as well. He seem to be getting it.

breesfan27

I want Reggie to stay, but I'd like his girlfriend to go, please. K, thanks.

Dasidreidia

Seconded.