Proof once more that Mario gets the shaft: Read this if you can stomach it...

[GP]

On NFL Network this week, there was a segment with Adam Shefter where he was asked about Reggie Bush's "slump" against Green Bay after a great first game the week before.

Shefter actually said "Well, the thing with Reggie is that he doesn't actually have to produce to be effective. Just being on the field causes the defense to focus on him, making everyone else around him better..."

So Reggie gets a free pass even when he doesn't dazzle us on the field. Nice.

But Mario, when he gets double-teamed...or when we put him up against the opposing o line's best player, and thus other players like Demeco Ryans are getting 13 tackles (as a rookie), or Travis Johnson is slipping into the backfield and pulling down the running back as he gets the hand off, then Mario is in no way also helping our defense in the same manner?

Other teams are NOT gameplanning against Mario at all? They're not saying to their blockers during the week leading up to the game against Houston "Hey, this guy can motor, so let's focus on him OK?"

Proof again that the sports media sees what they WANT to see. Proof again that they will parse stats and say "Mario had another poor outing" while propping up "their guy" by ignoring the stats and playing the "Well, just being on the field is making a huge difference."

Proof that the sports geeks we grew up with, the guys in the hallways that drove you crazy because they relentlessly propped up "their guy" even in the face of contradicting evidence that proved otherwise are all grown up and now they have a microphone and a TV camera to continue to be the twirp that they've always been. Nice.

And you just thought you had grown up and graduated from high school. Apparently, we're still facing the same old twirps we did in our school days. Guys who said Christian Okoye would be a Hall of Famer. Guys who said Brian Bosworth could destroy Bo Jackson. Guys who said Percy Snow would be an elite LB (just as they are saying Derrick Johnson will also be a great LB).

Same story, different year.

 

[run-david-run]

Good times. We just gotta wait for Mario to get comfortable (its a much harder transition for a DE from college to pro's then for a running back) and go off on some teams. Lets try to discredit him when he ends up with 6 tackles and 2 sacks in a game!


(please let him end up with 6 tackles and 2 sacks in a game this season)

 

[Vinny]

Bush is drawing attention away from the defense while rookies and 2nd tier talents are free to score up there. So far Bush has made a difference for the Saints more than Williams has for us. Crying about "fair" won't help

 

[Cjeremy635]

The thing is, one is a marketable player and the other isn't. Bottom line, it's unfortunate but true. People will tune in to see him part the field like Moses & the Red Sea. I saw Inside the NFL the other day and it was one where they were talking about the draft. They had Jerry Jones on and they asked him about Mario vs Reggie. He stated that they had Mario as the BPA at #1, but if Reggie would have been there than they would have taken him because it's about selling tickets as well, not just about helping your team.

 

[jlam]

I think Reggie was going to get all of the media attention no matter where he went. If you're sick of it now, you should be glad we had the 2nd pick and not someone like the Jets.

 

[V Man]

I think Reggie was going to get all of the media attention no matter where he went. If you're sick of it now, you should be glad we had the 2nd pick and not someone like the Jets.

You have a point there.

 

[V Man]

Bush is drawing attention away from the defense while rookies and 2nd tier talents are free to score up there. So far Bush has made a difference for the Saints more than Williams has for us. Crying about "fair" won't help

Not saying that you are wrong, but I would be interested to see if Bush was on the field for that Rookie WR TD catch or was Duece.

 

[Blake]

Fuel the fire. Face it guys. Mario is going to get thrown down this year, while Reggie is held high. Thats just the way it is. Get used to it for now.

Everyone knows that RB is the esiest way to get instant impact on a team. Mario was brought in to be the corner stone of our defense.

Just hope that Mario shows improvment each game. Reggie will get his time on ESPN. All top 3 offensive weapons do. Especially RB's.

 

[Vinny]

Not saying that you are wrong, but I would be interested to see if Bush was on the field for that Rookie WR TD catch or was Duece.

Bush and Deuce aren't splitting time. They pretty much play different positions. Bush is more of a wr than a rb and probably always will be.

 

[thunderkyss]

Bush and Deuce aren't splitting time. They pretty much play different positions. Bush is more of a wr than a rb and probably always will be.

If he turns out to be the next SteveSmith, ChadJohnson, or Marvin Harrison, then I'll be sick. We could've used that to go opposite AJ on every down.

Don't get me wrong, I like Moulds, & I like the Veteran Credibility he brings to our team.

I'm just saying if Reggie was billed as the next Jerry Rice or something, then I'd have been on the wagon as well.

TedGinn Jr excites me quite a bit........

Actually, that's not true....... it's all that BushBowl stuff that turned me off of the idea of ReggieBush in Houston. I'd have been happy with Michael Huff, or that Cromartie guy with the #1 pick instead of Reggie.

I've got nothing against the little fella....

 

[Second Honeymoon]

Bush is drawing attention away from the defense while rookies and 2nd tier talents are free to score up there. So far Bush has made a difference for the Saints more than Williams has for us. Crying about "fair" won't help

QFT. Bottom line is that the Saints opened up their season with 2 away games and won both. Bush has been effective in both games although only used as WR and SE in his 2nd game. Irregardless, the guy hasn't dominated but helped his team go 2-0 to open the season.

If you buy the party line, they picked Mario over Bush because they needed defense more than a RB in their system. Based on this year's defensive performance, they were right in stating we needed defense more than offense. So in a wierd way, the defense sucking validates the Mario pick even more....but after time you gotta have results or it was bad pick...lets hope for the best

doug

 

[TexansLucky13]

Has anyone noticed that Mario is playing better than Freeney? Hmm.... course not. And I have watched. I dont know what it is but Freeney is slipping this year. He really does not look competitive.

Anyways.... just like it always has been.... the Mario pick is only a bad pick if you are trying to sell tickets. I am happy to have him, and I don't give a good hoot ESPN says. His selection in the draft shows the understanding and patience that our coaching staff and owner has. I love it. Reggie was the impulse buy, but Kubes knew that we needed a DE. Nuff said...

 

[Second Honeymoon]

Has anyone noticed that Mario is playing better than Freeney? Hmm.... course not. And I have watched. I dont know what it is but Freeney is slipping this year. He really does not look competitive.

Anyways.... just like it always has been.... the Mario pick is only a bad pick if you are trying to sell tickets. I am happy to have him, and I don't give a good hoot ESPN says. His selection in the draft shows the understanding and patience that our coaching staff and owner has. I love it. Reggie was the impulse buy, but Kubes knew that we needed a DE. Nuff said...

Yeah, there was a post the other day about 'fast twitch muscle' guys and stuff and it got me thinking. They had Freeney, Abraham, and Kearse all listed as fast twitch and guys like Bruce Smith, Mario, and Strahan as slow twitch guys.

Well last time I checked all 3 'fast twitch' guys are all injured and when you are so reliant on superior moves and pure athleticism, if you lose a step your time is over. To be honest, if Mario can make some progress, show some more heart, and stay injury free his first year, I will be optimistic about Mario for the future

doug

 

[noxiousdog]

Bush is drawing attention away from the defense while rookies and 2nd tier talents are free to score up there. So far Bush has made a difference for the Saints more than Williams has for us. Crying about "fair" won't help

Last year, the Saints got play at Carolina and at New York Giants. Both playoff teams. They also were dealing with Katrina, and had Aaron Brooks at QB.

So, Brees, bad teams, and no Katrina is a better explanation than Reggie Bush being more intimidating as a receiver than Eric Moulds.

 

[Chaft]

I know the Colts have a very good offense, but they scored at will against the Texans. They have the easiest time against the Texans than any other team. They scored 43 points. 43 points is a lot even for the Colts. Didn't they rack up 500 yards or something? Mario might indeed be drawing attention, but it's not like it's doing anything for the defense.

 

[TexansLucky13]

Yeah, there was a post the other day about 'fast twitch muscle' guys and stuff and it got me thinking. They had Freeney, Abraham, and Kearse all listed as fast twitch and guys like Bruce Smith, Mario, and Strahan as slow twitch guys.

Well last time I checked all 3 'fast twitch' guys are all injured and when you are so reliant on superior moves and pure athleticism, if you lose a step your time is over. To be honest, if Mario can make some progress, show some more heart, and stay injury free his first year, I will be optimistic about Mario for the future

doug

Excellent points. I agee. And as for the guy who wrote that article.... I need to see his diploma before I believe any of it.

 

[Chaft]

Last year, the Saints got play at Carolina and at New York Giants. Both playoff teams. They also were dealing with Katrina, and had Aaron Brooks at QB.

So, Brees, bad teams, and no Katrina is a better explanation than Reggie Bush being more intimidating as a receiver than Eric Moulds.

Wow. Drew Brees is good. I take Drew over Aaron Brooks every day of the week. However, you think Drew Brees takes pressure off Reggie? I think Reggie takes pressure off Drew. The situation is in stark contrast to Manning/Addai and Brady/Maroney.

What rookie skill player on a bad team is actually making a difference? Bad teams are bad for a reason. They usually lack talent. This means opposing defenses are more likely able to key in on them. The Vegas line for the Saints in total wins was 6.5. Texans have a 5.5 total win line. I think the Saints are overachieving now.

As for blaming Katrina for last year for the Saints poor record, they were 8-8 in 2004. The Texans were 7-9 in 2004. Does anyone think the Texans underachieved to get a 2-14 record with essentially the same exact roster except Glenn and Sharper? Come on. Both the Texans and Saints underachieved last year.

 

[thunderkyss]

Last year, the Saints got play at Carolina and at New York Giants. Both playoff teams. They also were dealing with Katrina, and had Aaron Brooks at QB.

So, Brees, bad teams, and no Katrina is a better explanation than Reggie Bush being more intimidating as a receiver than Eric Moulds.

When I here the defensive guys say, "Yeah, we focused too much on Reggie Bush" I'll beleive it. But when they are covering one on one, and the first man brings him down, or he runs for 45 yards to pick up 13 on a punt return..... I'll take it with a grain of salt.

The Saints needed Reggie about as much as we did. Him not having a touchdown in the two wins, and a combined 70 yards rushing only proves it.

 

[NEROtheZERO]

If he turns out to be the next SteveSmith, ChadJohnson, or Marvin Harrison, then I'll be sick. We could've used that to go opposite AJ on every down.

Don't get me wrong, I like Moulds, & I like the Veteran Credibility he brings to our team.

I'm just saying if Reggie was billed as the next Jerry Rice or something, then I'd have been on the wagon as well.

TedGinn Jr excites me quite a bit........

Actually, that's not true....... it's all that BushBowl stuff that turned me off of the idea of ReggieBush in Houston. I'd have been happy with Michael Huff, or that Cromartie guy with the #1 pick instead of Reggie.

I've got nothing against the little fella....

He's not a true WR like those guys. He is more of a WR/RB hybrid. He is put in motion around the field simliar to an H-Back and is used to create mismatches. There is not a name for what he does, which is why he is called a once in a lifetime talent, but he is somewhere inbetween a RB and WR.

 

[thunderkyss]

He's not a true WR like those guys. He is more of a WR/RB hybrid. He is put in motion around the field simliar to an H-Back and is used to create mismatches. There is not a name for what he does, which is why he is called a once in a lifetime talent, but he is somewhere inbetween a RB and WR.

another reason not to take him with the #1....... he's not a reciever, he's not a running back.

He's more like an H-back, used to creat mis-matches...... moving my tightend around does the same thing....... Too big for Corners..... to fast for LBs..

Except Reggie isn't too big/strong for a corner........ so you move him outside in the NFL, and he'll get mugged for 5 yards. The LB will release, and Reggie will run right into a safety.... again, not too big or too strong for..... Nothing so different than getting Jeremy Shockey lined up on a safety, or Jason Witten on a LB.

 

[TexansSeminole]

another reason not to take him with the #1....... he's not a reciever, he's not a running back.

He's more like an H-back, used to creat mis-matches...... moving my tightend around does the same thing....... Too big for Corners..... to fast for LBs..

Except Reggie isn't too big/strong for a corner........ so you move him outside in the NFL, and he'll get mugged for 5 yards. The LB will release, and Reggie will run right into a safety.... again, not too big or too strong for..... Nothing so different than getting Jeremy Shockey lined up on a safety, or Jason Witten on a LB.

I agree. You know how I felt about Reggie before the draft. I had a good feeling we wouldn't select him.

On Ted Ginn, he excites me as well. Whoever get's him is going to get a great player

 

[Porky]

Quit your whining people. Give it up already, and admit the Texans screwed up already. Resistence is futile. Give in to your mind, and the light of truth, and your unbearable lightness of being will call you to repent. Or maybe not.

Adam is correct. Having Bush on the field makes the opposing Defense have to account for him every play. As of right now, opposing offenses do not have to do the same. Might that change? Yes. But, as of right now, he is a bust of the first degree. Let's see, there is Ryan Leaf, then Mario. I can see thier pictures now in the hall of shame.

 

[eriadoc]

He's not a true WR like those guys. He is more of a WR/RB hybrid. He is put in motion around the field simliar to an H-Back and is used to create mismatches. There is not a name for what he does, which is why he is called a once in a lifetime talent, but he is somewhere inbetween a RB and WR.

Eric Metcalf

 

[GP]

another reason not to take him with the #1....... he's not a reciever, he's not a running back.

He's more like an H-back, used to creat mis-matches...... moving my tightend around does the same thing....... Too big for Corners..... to fast for LBs..

Except Reggie isn't too big/strong for a corner........ so you move him outside in the NFL, and he'll get mugged for 5 yards. The LB will release, and Reggie will run right into a safety.... again, not too big or too strong for..... Nothing so different than getting Jeremy Shockey lined up on a safety, or Jason Witten on a LB.

Great post, TK.

 

[TheOgre]

Quit your whining people. Give it up already, and admit the Texans screwed up already. Resistence is futile. Give in to your mind, and the light of truth, and your unbearable lightness of being will call you to repent. Or maybe not.

Bush clearly looks superior to Mario at this point, but we might not know for sure for years. I was in the draft Bush club, but I am not going to pass in my judge card until about 3 years from now.

 

[Mr teX]

Quit your whining people. Give it up already, and admit the Texans screwed up already. Resistence is futile. Give in to your mind, and the light of truth, and your unbearable lightness of being will call you to repent. Or maybe not.

Adam is correct. Having Bush on the field makes the opposing Defense have to account for him every play. As of right now, opposing offenses do not have to do the same. Might that change? Yes. But, as of right now, he is a bust of the first degree. Let's see, there is Ryan Leaf, then Mario. I can see thier pictures now in the hall of shame.

We'll see what Reggie is going to do against capable defenses with this upcoming schedule. If you have'nt seen it, It Murder's Row minus Chicago. Reggie better

 

[Runner]

Mario's combine numbers show that he has the physical attributes to be explosive, no matter what the fast twitch/slow twitch gurus are saying from the announcers booth. He measures as very strong and fast too.

However...

Until he starts playing like he has a burning desire to beat his man and get to the QB for the sack or to nail an RB for a loss, he isn't going to get respect. The good players at his postion seem to always be attacking at full speed; I don't see that with him yet.

 

[thunderkyss]

Adam is correct. Having Bush on the field makes the opposing Defense have to account for him every play. As of right now, opposing offenses do not have to do the same. Might that change? Yes. But, as of right now, he is a bust of the first degree. Let's see, there is Ryan Leaf, then Mario. I can see thier pictures now in the hall of shame.

Is there ever anyone you don't have to account for on the offense?? I mean do they totally ignore Probowler JoeHorn?? Forget that DuecMcAllister(25+1=26) is in the backfield?? Do they forget about ProBowler DrewBrees??

I'm watching the game right now. I won't lie.... his speed is awesome.... but that Colston & Henderson..... wow.... those guys are something else.

The Packers look pretty good on D..... they don't miss tackles, like those guys at fresnoState...

I'm also thinking I should double down on my bet against Atlanta. Couple more weeks, and Drew Brees is going to be clicking with Colston & Horn...... & Reggie. The Saints may very well contend for that division title.

 

[thunderkyss]

Bush clearly looks superior to Mario at this point, but we might not know for sure for years. I was in the draft Bush club, but I am not going to pass in my judge card until about 3 years from now.

The Saints offense looks superior to Houston's defense at this point, I'll give them that. Reggie is being handled just like the other rookies on that team. Man on man, and the first tackle usually takes him down. We got that out of OwenDaniels...

We'll see what Reggie is going to do against capable defenses with this upcoming schedule. If you have'nt seen it, It Murder's Row minus Chicago. Reggie better

You may be setting your self up for a heartbreak.... the Saints O looks pretty good. They blew out an avg D in Greenbay, giving up 2 turnovers in the first half..... Their offensive line looks impressive...... LeCharlesBently or no. Jamal Brownlooks to be the real deal....and they've got the weapons. Duece, JoeHorn, M.Colston, Both MarkCampbell & Ernie Conwell.... ouch...... glad we don't play them till next year.

 

[ComstockLode]

This stuff gets old. WAHHHH THE MEDIA IS AGAINST US WAHHHHH

Wake up, we were the worst team last year. You earn respect, it isnt handed out like candy during halloween.

Mario will get respect when he earns it. Right now he hasnt earned any respect whatsoever other than he has a great vertical and is fast.

 

[brewhaus]

This stuff gets old. WAHHHH THE MEDIA IS AGAINST US WAHHHHH

Wake up, we were the worst team last year. You earn respect, it isnt handed out like candy during halloween.

Mario will get respect when he earns it. Right now he hasnt earned any respect whatsoever other than he has a great vertical and is fast.

Comstock....you're telling it like it is. You earn respect, or flat out take it! As for Mario: he has got a tuff row to hoe. But I gotta believe he is going to be the bad-a## player everyone wants him to be. He just has some schooling to go through first.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

This stuff gets old. WAHHHH THE MEDIA IS AGAINST US WAHHHHH

Wake up, we were the worst team last year. You earn respect, it isnt handed out like candy during halloween.

Damn straight. It's like TO putting the football in the middle of the Dallas Star. You don't want that to happen, don't let them score.

We'll get some respect from the media as soon as we prove that we deserve it.

 

[thunderkyss]

This stuff gets old. WAHHHH THE MEDIA IS AGAINST US WAHHHHH

Wake up, we were the worst team last year. You earn respect, it isnt handed out like candy during halloween.

Mario will get respect when he earns it. Right now he hasnt earned any respect whatsoever other than he has a great vertical and is fast.

Agreed. It's not like they are handing out National Television coverage to people who run around a total of 60 yards, & changes direction half a dozen times to pick up 5 yards.......

Or people who carry the ball 6 times for a total of 5 yards.......

Or people who catch the ball 8 times for 68 yards......

You have to earn respect. You have to prove why you should have been the #1 overall selection.

 

[thunderkyss]

I don't want to hear any of this crap. The fact is that Mario has been guaranteed over $25 million over the next 7 years. He needs to produce. His teammate, Manny Lawson, had a GREAT game last week so I don't want to hear the rookie excuse. I want to see some production out of the guy and he hasn't shown squat.

Look at the stats of all the players across SF starting DL..... they all have 9 tackles & 2 sacks...

Poor ole Mario is asked to be the man, so that former 1st round picks Jason Babin, & TJohnson can look like the players they were drafted to be.

Where Manny is being asked to wipe up the gravy......... Mario has to prepare the meat.

 

[Gunnar]

All you have to do is focus on Mario, just Mario, every play on defense. What I saw during the Colts game was very little to no double teaming. He looked like he was dancing with the offensive tackle. Don't take my word, watch for yourself. He may run a fast 40, but he isn't quick. He can't roll and swim through the tackle. We wasted a 1st pick on an non-play maker.

 

[eriadoc]

I totally agree. Many people on this board rag on me for being negative (which I can understand to some extant). I dont want to be negative but dammit, cant help it. Mario has shown NOTHING. I am extremely dissapointed as I drank the kool aid and thought "hey, maybe this guy is a player", but he hasnt shown diddley poo. Yeah Yeah....he is a rookie and all that. Hmmmm....his teamate, Manny Lawson, is doing great. We screwed up with this guy and I am very upset because (based on his performance) he cant PLAY. Let's admt it and move on because we are going to be picking in the top 3 again this season. For the love of GOD we need to take Adrian Peterson.

If, after two games, you are convinced that the Texans took the wrong guy and that Mario is not a player, I highly recommend you pursue a career in NFL coaching or scouting. You are obviously possessed of an ability to see into the future and I can see how that would be tremendously useful in the NFL. Good luck and let us know how you do. All the best ....

 

[caspian]

On NFL Network this week, there was a segment with Adam Shefter where he was asked about Reggie Bush's "slump" against Green Bay after a great first game the week before.

Shefter actually said "Well, the thing with Reggie is that he doesn't actually have to produce to be effective. Just being on the field causes the defense to focus on him, making everyone else around him better..."

So Reggie gets a free pass even when he doesn't dazzle us on the field. Nice.

But Mario, when he gets double-teamed...or when we put him up against the opposing o line's best player, and thus other players like Demeco Ryans are getting 13 tackles (as a rookie), or Travis Johnson is slipping into the backfield and pulling down the running back as he gets the hand off, then Mario is in no way also helping our defense in the same manner?

Other teams are NOT gameplanning against Mario at all? They're not saying to their blockers during the week leading up to the game against Houston "Hey, this guy can motor, so let's focus on him OK?"

Proof again that the sports media sees what they WANT to see. Proof again that they will parse stats and say "Mario had another poor outing" while propping up "their guy" by ignoring the stats and playing the "Well, just being on the field is making a huge difference."

Proof that the sports geeks we grew up with, the guys in the hallways that drove you crazy because they relentlessly propped up "their guy" even in the face of contradicting evidence that proved otherwise are all grown up and now they have a microphone and a TV camera to continue to be the twirp that they've always been. Nice.

And you just thought you had grown up and graduated from high school. Apparently, we're still facing the same old twirps we did in our school days. Guys who said Christian Okoye would be a Hall of Famer. Guys who said Brian Bosworth could destroy Bo Jackson. Guys who said Percy Snow would be an elite LB (just as they are saying Derrick Johnson will also be a great LB).

Same story, different year.

You're deluded. There's no media conspiracy against Mario or the Texans.

 

[infantrycak]

You're deluded. There's no media conspiracy against Mario or the Texans.

Eeeh, there is and there isn't. Look any NFL coach watching Bush's highlight this week--a 25 yard effort to make 6 yds on a punt return would have *****ed him out for not taking the ball upfield and getting what he could. Instead it is a highlight moment over many much better returns. It is the nature of the beast any time there is a controversial pick and/or a high profile player like Reggie. It is nothing against Mario or the Texans but the media is going to play it up because it gives them a story line.

 

[texan279]

I hope I am wrong, but his teammate, Manny Lawson, sure looks good right now and he looks LOST

Denial is always a problem

And how many positions is Lawson having to play during a game?

 

[LBC_Justin]

I totally agree. Many people on this board rag on me for being negative (which I can understand to some extant). I dont want to be negative but dammit, cant help it. Mario has shown NOTHING. I am extremely dissapointed as I drank the kool aid and thought "hey, maybe this guy is a player", but he hasnt shown diddley poo. Yeah Yeah....he is a rookie and all that. Hmmmm....his teamate, Manny Lawson, is doing great. We screwed up with this guy and I am very upset because (based on his performance) he cant PLAY. Let's admt it and move on because we are going to be picking in the top 3 again this season. For the love of GOD we need to take Adrian Peterson.

let me guess. When you go to a mexican restuarant you want lots of sizzle and smoke coming off your fajitas when they are brought out. But you aren't worried about the quality of the meat. Am I right?

Mario is going to be just fine. Barring injury this guy is going to be the cornerstone of our defense for years to come, he will still be putting up probowl numbers when Reggie Bush becomes a TV comentator. Heck Bush might get to cover the guy for 5 or 6 years as a comentator.

 

[GP]

And how many positions is Lawson having to play during a game?

And who have the 49ers played compared to the teams we have played?

Arizona and St. Louis: Two extremely powerful teams.

San Fran has Eagles this weekend. Let's see what Manny gets accomplished.

 

[jlam]

Not saying that you are wrong, but I would be interested to see if Bush was on the field for that Rookie WR TD catch or was Duece.

I believe it was Deuce in at HB, with Aaron Stecker at FB offset to the weak side. This is actually a bit of an odd (Stecker is def. NOT a FB) formation, but I can't argue with the results. Payton is definitely creative.