Rafael Bush's New Role
 

So now that Bush is staying it begs the question of how exactly he'll be used in our now crowded secondary. He was primarily used as a single high safety in our 3 safety looks but there's no way he's playing that role now that we have Jairus Byrd. There's been talk of simplifying Vaccaro's role so that leads me to believe that he'll be used as a more traditional strong safety. Does Bush take the Malcolm Jenkins role in those 3 safety sets? There was speculation that we signed Champ Bailey to play that hybrid S/CB role. It can't be possible that we spent that money for depth.

Re: Rafael Bush's New Role
 

You can never have enough depth at any position and Rob Ryan will utilize him in the best way possible. We did not just sign the guy as a back up. He will have a clear role on the D as well as special teams.

Re: Rafael Bush's New Role
 

That's the beauty of having so many versatile players; nobody has to be pigeon holed into any position. Just when the other offense thinks Byrd has the back half, Bush slides back there, Byrd sneaks up and picks off one going the other way. Vacarro can sneak up and play LB, or he can play slot corner, or he can play close to the line like a traditional strong safety. And Bush has cornerback speed to stay with tight ends, and he plays well in space.

Basically we don't have a strong safety, or a free safety, or a "third safety". We have 3 good safeties and any one of them could be anywhere on the field doing any assignment at any given point of the game. and it will keep people guessing.

I think the neatest thing about Rob Ryan's D is it allows each player to do a little bit of everything. That way opponents have a hard time finding tendencies, and if they do happen to find something they can exploit all you have to do is rearrange things a little bit to cover for it.

Re: Rafael Bush's New Role
 

Good question. He did fine with limited responsibilities as a role player, but now that Byrd will be playing FS it means Bush will have to contribute in other roles.
I'm sure Ryan has a plan, and I hope it's more than just a special teams guy and backup FS.

Re: Rafael Bush's New Role
 

I think Rob is going to find a way to get him on the field. You don't pay "3rd stringers" that kinda money to play special teams, do you? Some of you guys who pay attention to that sort of thing feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems we were keen not to let him get away, and I doubt that was because we felt like he's got a ton of value and his future is bright.

Re: Rafael Bush's New Role
 

This is probly the best D Rob has ever coached.... n I believe we have something special here ppl....

Re: Rafael Bush's New Role
 

I think that most of the Saints 3rd down sets were in hybrid nickel and dime sets where they had 3 safeties on the field (Jenkins, Vaccaro, Bush or Quddus). I don't think that Champ was signed to play the Charles Woodson role because I think he is still a legit #2 CB in this league and not the aggressive tackler and ball stripper that Woodson is. I think in the hybrid nickel sets that Vaccaro will play that role (being the ex-CB) and Bush will fill in as safety. The only way I see Champ playing inside is if Ryan comes up with defense where Champ is single coverage behind zone or Corey White/Pat Rob has a big improvement during offseason

Re: Rafael Bush's New Role
 

I'm glad he's back. Great job by the Saints to keep him.

Re: Rafael Bush's New Role
 

That's how we role.:wink:

Re: Rafael Bush's New Role
 

Actually I hope we will see him some on special teams. He has decent speed and is a good tackler so he could definitly have a big impact there.