Danno

Why Rafael Bush is not an upgrade over Thomas DeCoud - The Falcoholic

When multiple outlets reported that the Atlanta Falcons signed New Orleans Saints backup safety, and restricted free agent, Rafael Bush to an offer sheet, I was expecting to hear (or read) an outcry of disappointment from Falcons fans after the glaring need was fulfilled by a J.A.G. (just another guy) from the heated rivals.

Instead, what ensued was akin to a scene out of The Twilight Zone. Fans everywhere were rejoicing at the potential signing as though the team landed the No. 1 safety prospect in free agency in Jairus Byrd.

Nope.

That dubious distinction actually went to the Saints (ironic, huh?) when many fans acted as though landing Byrd was a foregone conclusion for the Red and Black. Not only didn't Atlanta not land the apple of its eye, it also failed to land: Louis Delmas (Miami Dolphins), T.J. Ward (Denver Broncos), Donte Whitner (Cleveland Browns), Antoine Bethea (San Francisco 49ers) or Chris Clemons (Houston Texans)—who were all sweated heavily by fans on social media and by writers like yours truly.

One name I purposefully left out was former Saints' starting safety Malcolm Jenkins, who is not only a better player than Bush, but is also a scheme-specific fit having been a corner through college and at the beginning of his pro career.

Jenkins was actually one of the first safeties signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. Fellow long-time starter Roman Harper was also snapped up by the division rival Carolina Panthers.

Now keep in mind the Saints already possess one of the brightest young stars at safety in second-year man Kenny Vaccaro. Now that he's teamed up with Byrd, on paper, they have one of the top-five duos in the league.

Bush, at only 26 years old, could've been promoted to starter after the departures of Harper and Jenkins. That is if the staff felt as though he was worthy of being a starter on the No.-4 ranked defense in the league.

Instead they signed Byrd to a billion-dollar contract (well it seemed like it!), decided to stop wasting Vaccaro's talents as a hybrid nickel corner/safety (as first suggested by your's truly) and tendered Bush at a low-level—leaving the Falcons to scour the rummage.

And fans, as we always do, are left to pretend like we wanted Bush all along like he's the primary piece to some master plan. Most fans link his signing to a theory that the Falcons will now trade up to draft uber-hyped defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

As if signing the fourth-string safety from another team somehow justifies anything dealing with the draft. I hate to break it to you; signing Bush should make you even more eager for the brass to go after Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix (Alabama), Calvin Pryor (Louisville), Lamarcus Joyner (FSU) or Jimmie Ward (Nothern Illinois).
Ordinary Skill Set

I have a unique perspective on Bush after having covered the Saints for another platform last season. Unlike many Falcons fans, I had the opportunity to watch every single snap Bush took from preseason until the conclusion of the playoffs. After writing over 100 articles on the team, I came to the conclusion that there was a reason why Bush was fourth on the depth chart for New Orleans. Some are under the impression that Bush was a starter for the Saints as they spend a great deal of their time in a three-safety set under coordinator Rob Ryan.

Nope.

Jenkins, Vaccaro and Harper were the original triple threat until an injury to Harper (third game of the season) allowed for Bush to grab a bigger spot in the rotation. Harper ended up missing seven games so Bush received a significant amount snaps in his stead.

I surmise that Bush is a decent player if his role is minimized like it was in New Orleans. But counting on him to be a starter, while passing on some of the uber-talented prospects in this deep draft, is borderline insanity. He can provide quality depth, but is not a front line player on a team with true championship aspirations.

Rest of article with pics and analysis...

Why Rafael Bush is not an upgrade over Thomas DeCoud - The Falcoholic