Wojo on Reggie Bush...and Mario

I figured this would come up at some point and I know this gets the blood boiling...the season is basically closed for most teams. So enjoy and rant if you want. The article is actually pretty good..just exclude the comparisons, etc.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=4880421&sportCat=nfl

MIAMI -- Four full seasons into his NFL career and we still don't know what to make of Reginald Alfred Bush.

Football fraud or work in progress? Underachiever or victim of expectations? The NFL's most expensive decoy or a Super Bowl MVP about to happen?

This is the week and the game that Bush can fill in all those question bubbles with his No. 2 pencil. This is when he can separate fact from perception or, more importantly, separate himself from every critic who thinks he was overhyped, overdrafted and overwhelmed.

Remember when the New Orleans Saints -- once they picked their jaws and fleurs-de-lis off the ground -- took USC's Bush with the No. 2 selection of the 2006 NFL draft? He was somehow available because the Houston Texans took defensive end Mario Williams with the No. 1 pick, even though 21 of 26 general managers responding to a Dallas Morning News poll rated Bush as the top prospect.

Now Bush will play in a Super Bowl against the Indianapolis Colts, while Williams and the Texans still wait to play in their first playoff game. Doesn't mean the Texans botched things by choosing Williams (at least, not yet). Just means that Bush, in a game that defines careers and reputations, can prove he's much more than a Kim Kardashian accessory.

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In fact, if that same 2006 draft were held today, you wonder how many players would be selected before Bush (and Williams). Jay Cutler (No. 11 in 2006)? Haloti Ngata (No. 12)? DeAngelo Williams (No. 27)? DeMeco Ryans (second round, No. 33)? Maurice Jones-Drew (second round, No. 60)?

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You don't think they appreciate Bush grinding out a 4-yard gain instead of a 20-yard, style-points, zigzag run that goes nowhere?

"A couple of years ago I would second-guess myself," Bush says. "Or instead of just taking the few yards here and there and allowing the big play to come to me, I was going after the big play too much."

The distance between Bush and 2006, and Mario Williams, and all those impossible expectations grows a little wider when he says something like that. Maturity.

But Bush will forever separate himself from the doubters if Kardashian catches him cheating on her after Sunday's game. You'll know it when you see it. He'll be kissing that special something.

It's called the Lombardi Trophy.

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Go Colts!

In the long haul of their careers, Williams, Bush and Young will be forever linked whether they (or us) like it or not. It's just one of those things. Four years later, I'd rather have Williams than Bush or Young, as would the huge majority of NFL teams if given the choice.

The question is, what will people be thinking another four years down the line? Will Williams still be the consensus choice in another four years? Stay turn to As the NFL turns. Well, that is if it doesn't go on strike. LOL

This "new and improved" Reggie Bush crap after that one playoff game is about the biggest pile of bullshit the media has strutted out here all season long. Just before that one ****ing game, he was talked about as an under achiever, a guy who still couldn't run well in the NFL, a waste of money, and a ton of other things. Then he has one playoff game where he has some nice runs where he runs with some force and initiates some contact and all of these pencil neck media writers crank out some new fiasco about this new and improved Reggie Bush who finally had the light turned on.

The journalists around the sports media just gets worse and worse I swear. They were frying Bush all year long and after that one game against the ****ing Cardinals soft ass defense, they act like he's all of a sudden another physical version of Maurice Jones Drew despite doing hardly anything all season long.

i know it's just an exhibition game, but this bum hasn't even been an alternate for the pro bowl to my knowledge. So how at this point, is it even a question any more of whether or not we picked the right guy especially when our guy has been selected by his peers & coaches to go twice & been acknowledged as 1 of the top at his position?

Reginald is nothing more than a very poor man's eric metcalf playing behind a great qb.

We might assume from the tone of this editorial, that the Texans and not the Saints would be playing in the Super Bowl had Houston selected Reggie Bush instead of Mario Williams.

DeMeco Ryans over all of the above.

Mr teX said:

i know it's just an exhibition game, but this bum hasn't even been an alternate for the pro bowl to my knowledge. So how at this point, is it even a question any more of whether or not we picked the right guy especially when our guy has been selected by his peers & coaches to go twice & been acknowledged as 1 of the top at his position?

Reginald is nothing more than a very poor man's eric metcalf playing behind a great qb.

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At this point I like Metcalf more.

I can't wait till next year when the talking heads start to tell other teams how bad they were for not drafting Demeco and Cushing when we go to the playoffs

With the #1 pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select the rights to draft Brian Cushing, Linebacker from USC in 2009.


Back on topic. I find it interesting that if this guy (Bush) is so good. Why is there even the possibility that he could be cut. It's highly unlikely but if it wasn't for his goodwill with the fanbase the fact is he's overpaid for his services on the field. I think by cutting him, they would save $20MM over the next two years. That's astounding.

Didn't Bush almost fumble away the NFC championship game?

Only to be out done by the fumble/bumble bros Favre/Fumble All Day Peterson.

The media will never stop the Bush propoganda. They cant stand being wrong.

Looking back on the 2006 draft give me Ngata any day. That's without trading down.

He is not even a freaking STARTER!!!!

You'd think the Reggie vs Mario debate would have been over with now that there are four seasons of stats and facts showing Mario is better than Bush. Bush is no Ryan Leave by any means but he is not great either. Enough is enough already I am not being a homer because everything is there to back me up. I state the truth and do not just stick up for the player on my favorite team. Does Bush suck? I would not say that because he catches good in the wideout position and might be utilized in other ways on the football field and still be effective but not superstar UFC Reggie Bush IMO. If it takes another four years in order for fans to see Mario is quite a better player than Bush than so be it but I have seen enough and I rest my case. Mario is better and he always will be that is for certain.

Texecutioner said:

Then he has one playoff game where he has some nice runs where he runs with some force and initiates some contact and all of these pencil neck media writers crank out some new fiasco about this new and improved Reggie Bush who finally had the light turned on.

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Hey.

Waittasecondthere.

media is just waiting for a "I told you so" with Bush.

I have no ill feelings for Bush, the media made him out to be the best thing since cold beer and quite frankly, I never saw how he could live up to that hype.

Drew Brees has always been the straw that stirred the Saints drink, without him, forget it

Reggie Bush has yet to rush for 1,000+ yards while his backup at USC LenWhale White has done so already.

Mario Williams has been to the Pro Bowl and was voted as an All-Star and has improved our defense. What has Bush done?

Texan4Ever said:

Reggie Bush has yet to rush for 1,000+ yards while his backup at USC LenWhale White has done so already.

Mario Williams has been to the Pro Bowl and was voted as an All-Star and has improved our defense. What has Bush done?

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Led his team to the superbowl.




I kid.

It amazes me how these journalists find a way to warp reality.

imatexan said:

Led his team to the superbowl.




I kid.

It amazes me how these journalists find a way to warp reality.

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If it wasn't for Drew Brees and the Saints D they wouldn't be in the Super Bowl. Pierre Thomas has done more as a back then Bush.

gooooooooo colts!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sent the guy an e-mail. I don't do that very often at all, but this Reggie Bush stuff is getting even more ridiculous.

I like how he brings up the question about how many players would be selected before Mario and Bush if the draft were done over again with everything we know now.

If that did happen, how many guys would get picked before Mario. Five? Maybe less?

How many guys would get picked before Bush? Twenty? More?

bah007 said:

I like how he brings up the question about how many players would be selected before Mario and Bush if the draft were done over again with everything we know now.

If that did happen, how many guys would get picked before Mario. Five? Maybe less?

How many guys would get picked before Bush? Twenty? More?

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^^ I taught 007 everything he knows.

Showtime100 said:

^^ I taught 007 everything he knows.

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I wouldn't say everything. 85% sounds about right.

bah007 said:

I like how he brings up the question about how many players would be selected before Mario and Bush if the draft were done over again with everything we know now.

If that did happen, how many guys would get picked before Mario. Five? Maybe less?

How many guys would get picked before Bush? Twenty? More?

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I would still take Mario #1. D-Brick, Ngata & Demeco are the only other players I would consider.

I don't know if I would even take Bush in the first round.

bah007 said:

I like how he brings up the question about how many players would be selected before Mario and Bush if the draft were done over again with everything we know now.

If that did happen, how many guys would get picked before Mario. Five? Maybe less?

How many guys would get picked before Bush? Twenty? More?

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Well, let's think about it. All of these guys were taken in 2006:

1. Mario Williams, DE
2. D'Brickashawn Ferguson, LT
3. A.J. Hawk, LB
4. Vernon Davis, TE
5. Jay Cutler, QB
6. Haloti Ngata, DT
7. Chad Greeway, LB
8. Antonio Cromartie, CB
9. Tamba Hali, DE
10. Davin Joseph, G
11. Santonio Holmes, WR
12. DeAngelo Williams, RB
13. Nick Mangold, C
14. Joseph Addai, RB
15. Mathais Kiwanuka, DE
16. Demeco Ryans, LB
17. Bernard Pollard, S
18. Devin Hester, DB
19. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB
20. Eric Winston, RT
21. Owen Daniels, TE
22. Jahri Evans, T
23. Leon Washington, RB
24. Stephen Gostkowski, K
25. Brandon Marshall, WR
26. Elvis Dumerville, DE/LB
27. Antoine Bethea, DB
28. Cortland Finnegan, DB
29. David Anderson, WR
30. Marques Colston, WR

I might have missed alot of guys (and of course included a few extra Texans) but those are a lot quality players from that draft. Where does RB fit in stat-wise. Leon Washington-ish?

(We got a lot of quality players out of that draft. Either during the draft or, in Bonecrusha's case, afterwards.)

Texan4Ever said:

If it wasn't for Drew Brees and the Saints D they wouldn't be in the Super Bowl. Pierre Thomas has done more as a back then Bush.

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Mike Bell, too. Reggie Bush was a third string catching RB. Who out of the other 06 runningbacks has he outperformed? On draft order former Lion Brian Calhoun is the first one, drafted in the 3rd round.

Reggies numbers weren't that great. He is a member of a team with a great defense.

I don't see anything to get upset about in this story. It's all more or less true and Bush will take a step towards making himself "look" like the right choice if the Saints win a ring. It won't be the whole story or even accurate but if he gets a ring or two and the Texans never get into the playoffs or exit in the first round a few times those circumstances will affect the way people look back at that decision (rightly or wrongly).

It's impossible to get to the Super Bowl on the strength of a single draft pick. If it wasn't impossible then Earl Campbell and all the guys who were lucky enough to play with him would have 3-4 rings. They don't because no matter how great you are you can't drag a team to the Super Bowl. Not even Peyton Manning can single-handedly drag a team to the Super Bowl.

The 2006 first overall pick wasn't going to make or break our team regardless of which of the three most-likely candidates we picked.

I don't care about Reggie Bush anymore. I only care about Vince Young because he's in our division and we need to beat his "Radio" ass into submission next year. This is getting ridiculous where Texans vs Vince is concerned. All I care about is Mario Williams and he's a fine DE but there's something wrong in my opinion with him. He's an athletic freak of nature and by all rights should be tearing the world up but he's not. His motor doesn't run every game, all game long. I don't know if he's not being properly motivated or if he simply can't be motivated at all. I don't know what's wrong but the man isn't performing up to his capabilities. He's doing good but I expected a game changer and Mario is rarely a game changer. Sometimes it's almost like he's waiting on something. Maybe that's another player rushing the passer effectively? I suspect that if we could get one guy just crushing the pocket Mario would be a HOF looking DE. It's the inside that's keeping these QB's alive. Mario isn't a do it all himself kind of guy. Those guys are so few and far between and if he'd been one he'd have been.... "epic" but he isn't. Fat Albert could have come here for 4-5 years and put both himself and Mario in the HOF I think. We must find someone who can scare the crap out of opposing centers. We have everything else in place.

We need that giant cheeseburger eating guy Vinny is always talking about.

What we don't need is to get upset about what the team that happened to draft Reggie Bush accomplished. Reggie's Super Bowl ring (if he gets one) will be just about as meaningful toward this debate as either of Radio's two Pro Bowl visits. Meaningless and mostly unearned.

Two words: Drew Brees.


/argument about Reggie Bust being in the Super Bowl.

If you want to properly assess how these players rate, you should start by rating their position ranks because in a draft, many teams go by need over BPA. Mario was arguably the best DE in the draft, but Reggie Bush should be behind a truckload of other RBs in that draft. I'm astounded by how many good RBs there were in 2006, and how the Saints probably hurt themselves by taking Bush early, and missing out on possibly other great RBs later in the draft. However, the Texans passed on Bush and ended up drafting Wali Lundy instead of any of the great RBs on this list... so I guess you just can't win 'em all.

2006 Notable RBs in the order drafted:
Reggie Bush
Laurence Maroney
Deangelo Williams
Joseph Addai
Lendale White
Maurice Jones Drew
Jerious Norwood
Leon Washington
Jerome Harrison
Wali Lundy - Drafted by the Texans R6 - 170 overall
Quintin Gaither
Mike Bell

2006 Notable Defensive Ends drafted:
Mario Williams
Mathias Kiwanuka
Elvis Dumervil (I think he plays OLB now, but he was a DE going into the draft)
Ray Edwards

Dutchrudder said:

I'm astounded by how many good RBs there were in 2006...any of the great RBs on this list...

2006 Notable RBs in the order drafted:
Reggie Bush
Laurence Maroney
Deangelo Williams
Joseph Addai
Lendale White
Maurice Jones Drew
Jerious Norwood
Leon Washington
Jerome Harrison
Wali Lundy - Drafted by the Texans R6 - 170 overall
Quintin Gaither
Mike Bell

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how many "great" RBs do you see on that list?

I am reluctant to use the word "great" for any of them since they are only 4th year players - and I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to using superlatives to label players.

that said, I see the potential of 1 in Williams (he can do SOOOO much) and I would say that MJD is an exceptional back (not sure about "great" but he could certainly end up being one). The only players I would've taken ahead of Bush from that list, in retrospect, would be Williams and Jones Drew - in that order.

Mario had a great season in 08 but he has been hurt for awhile now hopefully that has changed.

MIAMI - Reggie Bush can make the spectacular look routine.

And he can make the routine look too hard to handle.

Since the New Orleans Saints made the dynamic running back from Southern California the second overall pick in the 2006 draft, Bush has been a revelation and a disappointment. At times, he resembles the breathtaking game-breaker who won the Heisman Trophy in 2005. Then he morphs into a fumbling, pass-dropping, injury-ravaged nonentity -- a third-stringer with little impact in the NFL's most potent offence.

Unquestionably, the Saints need him to display every one of his award-winning talents and none of his weaknesses in Sunday's Super Bowl against the Indianapolis Colts.

"I haven't lived up to the expectations I set for myself," Bush admitted recently while seated on a podium at media day, surrounded by dozens of reporters. "Before I got to the NFL, I thought it would be the Super Bowl every year, make the Pro Bowl every year. You discover it's hard. It's hard to get to the Super Bowl. I've been in the league four years and just got here. There's a lot of great players who never get to the Super Bowl.

"I haven't lived up to the expectations I set for myself," he repeated, "but I know it will come.

"All I want to do is be the best player ever to play this game, and I'd be remiss if I didn't feel that way," Bush said. "If I didn't feel that way when I step on the field, I'd be selling myself short."

Some might argue Bush has come up far too short for the Saints. He hasn't made the Pro Bowl or All-Pro team. He hasn't approached 1,000 yards rushing in any season, and his career total of 1,940 yards is 66 fewer than second-year back Chris Johnson's for the Titans in 2009.

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http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/rss/article/945871

3 years in the league.

3195 yds rushing, 4.1 ypc, 1276 yards receiving, 8.3 ypr, 28 TD's

1940 yds rushing, 4.0 ypc, 1934 yards receiving, 7.4 ypr, 28 TD's

One was a 4th round draft pick, one was the 2nd pick. Screw the Mario, VY, Bush debate - who would you rather have as your RB?

infantrycak said:

3 years in the league.

3195 yds rushing, 4.1 ypc, 1276 yards receiving, 8.3 ypr, 28 TD's

1940 yds rushing, 4.0 ypc, 1934 yards receiving, 7.4 ypr, 28 TD's

One was a 4th round draft pick, one was the 2nd pick. Screw the Mario, VY, Bush debate - who would you rather have as your RB?

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3 years or 4?

JB said:

3 years or 4?

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Darn you are right. Mixed a 3 and a 4. Make that:

infantrycak said:

3 years in the league.

3195 yds rushing, 4.1 ypc, 1276 yards receiving, 8.3 ypr, 28 TD's

1550 yds rushing, 3.8 ypc, 1599 yards receiving, 7.5 ypr, 20 TD's

One was a 4th round draft pick, one was the 2nd pick. Screw the Mario, VY, Bush debate - who would you rather have as your RB?

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granted i don't watch any Saints games. but it didn't seem like the Saints had Reggie in much when the got near the goal line. CBS kept showing him. I was actually dreading the possibility of bim scoring. mainly tired of all the Mario comparisons that the media keeps putting up, eventhough it is apples and oranges.

i just remember him in one or two plays and he was in to block