Why Darren Sproles Has Been More Effective Than Reggie Bush for the Saints
 

Many people, specifically New Orleans Saints fans, have wondered why Darren Sproles has done everything that Reggie Bush was supposed to do, and more.

Another thing that is curious is why Bush ran for over 1,000 yards in his first season with the Miami Dolphins after never getting over 600 in five years with the Saints. Why was Reggie able to run for six touchdowns and average 5.0 yards a carry in Miami, when he was nowhere near as successful with the Saints?

Why has Sproles been able to run all over defenses in the role that was built for Reggie? These players are oddly similar, yet both have done things this year that Bush was never able to do in New Orleans.









Why Darren Sproles Has Been More Effective Than Reggie Bush for the Saints | Bleacher Report

I wasn't a big Bush fan but only b/c I thought he was too self-centered and liked to bring too much attention upon himself.

Perhaps we tried to use him in a role that he isn't really meant for (i.e. all-purpose guy). He was a feature back at USC and is finally getting a chance to prove that with Miami.

On another note, anyone remember the name of the other USC back that was drafted the same year by the Titans? Is he even playing anymore?

No I'm pretty White ate his way out of the league. He bounced around to a couple of teams and actually had pretty decent numbers but a bad attitude and and lack of professionalism did him in.

Bush had a great year but but sadly suffered another knee injury at the end of the year. I think his days are numbered. Hope not but how many knee surgeries can you have and still continue to play running back in the NFL?

Now I'm not saying I prefer Reggie over Sproles but I think it's time to quit the comparisons. Reggie never rushed the ball 210 times in a season when we had him like he did this year in Miami. 157 were his most carries. If you take his stats from 2009 which was his best year stat wise with averages, he rushed the ball only 70 times for 390 yards. Multiply that by 3 to give him the same carries he had this year in Miami and he is pushing 1200 yards. We didn't need to use him as a feature back so we didn't. In my opinion he was trying to do to much when given the opportunity because of how much Payton spreads the ball around. In Miami, he's getting the ball more so he doesn't try to make the big play all of the time. It's really unfair to compare Reggie to Sproles because they are different. Bush is about 6 inches taller so he doesn't hide behind the line as well which allows Sproles to hit the second level so quickly. Sproles set a record with all purpose yards but don't forget Reggie wasn't used on kick offs only punt returns. Am I glad we have Sproles, that's a no brainer I'm ecstatic but I was also glad we had Reggie. He helped us win a lot of games and a Superbowl. I just think it is unfair to keep comparing the two because they are 2 completely different players with their abilities. So heres to winning a Superbowl with Sproles!

YOU HEARD THIS HERE FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
I BET YOU THE SAINTS PLAY THE AFC EAST NEXT YEAR, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE BUSH VS SPROLES PART 1

Nope schedule is already out and we play the AFC west.

Don't forget Bush lost a lot of touches in the punt returns because Sean Payton didn't trust him with his back to the endzone. Lance Moore would be the sure hands because it seemed Bush would get gittery.

Oh, I was just thinking about all the talk and comparisons about the two. I think we will see it sooner than later still.

yeah, Lindale White. Last I heard from him he had lost a lot of weight and had a decent season (which was a few years ago) then he disappeared

His biggest problem was his attitude/personality.

From Wikipedia
White was traded to the Seattle Seahawks on April 24, 2010. The trade reunited White and his former USC Trojans head coach Pete Carroll. Shortly after signing, word leaked that White had failed an NFL drug test and would be suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season. Carroll released White on May 28, 2010.
[edit] Denver Broncos

On August 4, 2010, White was signed to a two-year deal by the Denver Broncos.[4] However, on September 2, in the Broncos' last preseason game at the Minnesota Vikings, White suffered a torn Achilles tendon, and missed the entire 2010 season.[5] He was released on August 16, 2011.

Nice!

Not buying it at all.

When Reggie was supposed to run between the tackles, he often stopped then bounced it outside for either no gain or a loss.

He's not doing that as much in Miami. He's not dancing in the backfield as much as he used to.

That has nothing to do with how the Saints used him. Thats Reggie Bush maturing as a RB. It may have taken several years, but it looks like he's breaking old habits.

Sproles has never been a RB who hesitated and danced around in the backfield. He's having success because he's doing EXACTLY what Reggie was supposed to do when Reggie was a Saint.

Why has Sproles been more effective? He knows how to run in space or find space to run to!

Good post. Sums up my feelings on the subject quite nicely. Its a good article too, nice with a sportswriter that thinks for a change.

That might be the case but I think it has more to do with the fact that Bush is a rhytm-player. He needs a certain amount of carries to kinda get a feel for the defence before he start doing some damage. Not to put the wo in the same category at all but Barry Sanders was kinda the same way, he would loose you a bunch of yards on one play while trying to create something that wasn't there and then the next play he would be magic and torch you for a long score.

Maybe because Sproles is better in all aspects of the game..

Reggie had to prove he was a RB when he went to Miami. Him putting up 1000 yrds means nothing to me other than our draft pick goes up. I only felt like he gave us 100% a hand full of times. I'm glad he's had success in Miami. Sorry he has another injury. But Sproles is an athlete. Yeah he is small and can hide between the tackles....but when he gets the ball in open space, it's like a Top Fuel dragster that just got the accelorator pedal punched through the floor.

I don't think they are all that similar actually. While DS has insane speed he is also a powerful back. I wouldn't put Bush anywhere near a power back.

Also DS hits the holes and go. You can't dance!!! You make one move and you GO!!! That was my BIGGEST problem with Reggie make one move and go not 3-4 and wait for someone to come from behind and tackle you.

GO!!!

Bush is also a head case and well DS knows his role and wants to win... has something to prove.

I also don't think Jeff Faine did any favors for Bush either.

I am ambevilant about Reggie as a player.

As a person he, seems to be, is a maga-jerk!! How many times did the throw the Siants under a us or dis us this year? At least 3!!

He's gone. Its over. I do like Sproles a lot, and I really thought Reggies was foing to be Sprloes like.

Saints 41, Lions 27. I just watched the Saints/Lions game again and I really think we played badly that game. So many balls should have been picked. So many drives ended in nothing. No way that happens this time around. Their defense is garbage, even with Suh.