Reggie Bush (FOX CFB Analyst)

[slickman]

I always liked Fiutak's view

from collegefootballnews.com

" "Perhaps the most explosive open-field player since Gale Sayers. He's a time bomb waiting to explode. He has dynamite ability and competes like crazy. Dynamic impact player. (Blank) is the one super football player in the draft."

Reggie Bush, right? Nope. That's the summary of Rocket Ismail in the Pro Football Weekly 1991 Draft Preview.

Oh, how quickly we forget. Remember back in the day how Ismail was supposed to be a sure-thing game changer? Remember how he was supposed to be an unstoppable weapon with his 4.29 speed, moves, and cutting ability? Remember how Jerry Jones tried to move heaven and earth to sign the Irish star? I'm not saying Bush will be a bust, or even a disappointment as an NFL player, but let's just take a deep breath and slow down on this "greatest pro prospect since John Elway" talk.

Before the Fresno State game, Bush had carried the ball more than 20 times once in his career. Once, and that was against Oregon this year. Name the really good run defense he cranked out impressive numbers against. Notre Dame might be 25th in the nation against the run, but it was pounded on by teams with good backs. Bush had his really huge days against a Fresno State defense that was steamrolled by Nevada's running game the following week, and a UCLA run defense that finished dead last in the nation.

Of course, every team would love to have Bush to try to use him in a variety of ways, but let's just wait and see if he's able to eat up Texas first. If he can run inside on the Longhorn tackles, then it'll be time to start to really get excited."

 

[ScarletBlood31]

While he didn't dominate against Texas, he still did pretty decent. 13 carries for around 83 yards. Thats over 6 yards a carry, which in my book is pretty good considering they had the whole defense focusing on you. I think he also had something like 6 receptions for 96 yards?

 

[Captain Hindsight]

While he didn't dominate against Texas, he still did pretty decent. 13 carries for around 83 yards. Thats over 6 yards a carry, which in my book is pretty good considering they had the whole defense focusing on you. I think he also had something like 6 receptions for 96 yards?

Good point. I really like Reggie Bush (and I pray to God that the Texans draft him), but other than two plays during the game, he was kept under check. Texas' defense was so underrated to Vince Young's remarkable play during the game. If Vince Young hadn't of played so well, we could probably be talking about UT's clutch D. Sure, they gave up 38 points, but they kept Reggie in check. I don't believe any other team really stopped him this year. A lot of it has to do with USC not playing very difficult competition, and the Pac-10's lack of defense, but you are right... Reggie is a dominating force, and a fun player to watch. He is the ultimate highlight reel, and should be a force to reckon with in the NFL.

 

[methomps]

Good point. I really like Reggie Bush (and I pray to God that the Texans draft him), but other than two plays during the game, he was kept under check. Texas' defense was so underrated to Vince Young's remarkable play during the game. If Vince Young hadn't of played so well, we could probably be talking about UT's clutch D. Sure, they gave up 38 points, but they kept Reggie in check. I don't believe any other team really stopped him this year. A lot of it has to do with USC not playing very difficult competition, and the Pac-10's lack of defense, but you are right... Reggie is a dominating force, and a fun player to watch. He is the ultimate highlight reel, and should be a force to reckon with in the NFL.

Well, let's see:

Defenses (Pac10 and Texas) against Reggie Bush yards rushing + receiving

1. Washington - 69
2. Cal - 86
3. Arizona - 126
4. Washington State - 137
5. Stanford - 140
6. Arizona State - 162
7. Oregon - 165
8. Texas - 177
9. ucla - 260

 

[Captain Hindsight]

Well, let's see:

Defenses (Pac10 and Texas) against Reggie Bush yards rushing + receiving

1. Washington - 69
2. Cal - 86
3. Arizona - 126
4. Washington State - 137
5. Stanford - 140
6. Arizona State - 162
7. Oregon - 165
8. Texas - 177
9. ucla - 260

Wow. Man, do I feel like an idiot. Thanks for the enlightenment. I guess that the thing was that there was so much hype for him, and as we all know, he didn't live up to it... but yeah... ...

 

[methomps]

No sweat. Given Vince Young's performance, a lot of other stories get overshadowed. BTW, I was laughing at ucla, not you.

 

[Captain Hindsight]

No sweat. Given Vince Young's performance, a lot of other stories get overshadowed. BTW, I was laughing at ucla, not you.

Haha. It's cool. I definitely deserved to be laughed at, based on providing terrible information.

 

[ScarletBlood31]

Good point. I really like Reggie Bush (and I pray to God that the Texans draft him), but other than two plays during the game, he was kept under check. Texas' defense was so underrated to Vince Young's remarkable play during the game. If Vince Young hadn't of played so well, we could probably be talking about UT's clutch D. Sure, they gave up 38 points, but they kept Reggie in check. I don't believe any other team really stopped him this year. A lot of it has to do with USC not playing very difficult competition, and the Pac-10's lack of defense, but you are right... Reggie is a dominating force, and a fun player to watch. He is the ultimate highlight reel, and should be a force to reckon with in the NFL.

I wouldn't call Texas's defense anything to brag about (especially in the second half). USC really killed themselves all on their own. Bush's lateral turned fumble, Leinart forcing a pass in the end zone that got picked off (decent defensive effort though), then going for it on the Texas 20 yard line. Thats a good 10 points at least that they left on the board.

Plus, in the second half, USC scored something like 4 consecutive touchdowns. It really came down to who had the ball last with a chance to score, and that was Texas. True, Texas had the 4th and 2 stop which was big, but Leinart still had around 365 passing yards with a TD, White had 121 yards rushing with 3 TDs, Jarrett had like 9 receptions for 125 yards and a TD, and Bush had his 177 yards and a TD. So I wouldn't say that Texas really held anyone down, Vince Young just single-handedly took over the game.

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

Well, let's see:

Defenses (Pac10 and Texas) against Reggie Bush yards rushing + receiving

1. Washington - 69
2. Cal - 86
3. Arizona - 126
4. Washington State - 137
5. Stanford - 140
6. Arizona State - 162
7. Oregon - 165
8. Texas - 177
9. ucla - 260

I remeber laughing at the 300+ rushing yards eddie got against Illinois on his way to a heisman.
good times good times

 

[ProdigyDub]

I wouldn't call Texas's defense anything to brag about (especially in the second half). USC really killed themselves all on their own. Bush's lateral turned fumble, Leinart forcing a pass in the end zone that got picked off (decent defensive effort though), then going for it on the Texas 20 yard line. Thats a good 10 points at least that they left on the board.

Plus, in the second half, USC scored something like 4 consecutive touchdowns. It really came down to who had the ball last with a chance to score, and that was Texas. True, Texas had the 4th and 2 stop which was big, but Leinart still had around 365 passing yards with a TD, White had 121 yards rushing with 3 TDs, Jarrett had like 9 receptions for 125 yards and a TD, and Bush had his 177 yards and a TD. So I wouldn't say that Texas really held anyone down, Vince Young just single-handedly took over the game.

They are probably the best college offense of all time...or definitely top 3 or so. To insinuate that the Texas D didn't do a good job in holding them to 38 points in the "big game" is a bit short-sighted. They were gonna score their points and get their yards...but the fact is, Texas limited the big play opportunities all night, ESPECIALLY insofar as Bush goes.

Young was the story of the night, but the Texas D did a pretty dang good job considering all the weapons USC has on offense.

 

[ScarletBlood31]

They are probably the best college offense of all time...or definitely top 3 or so. To insinuate that the Texas D didn't do a good job in holding them to 38 points in the "big game" is a bit short-sighted. They were gonna score their points and get their yards...but the fact is, Texas limited the big play opportunities all night, ESPECIALLY insofar as Bush goes.

Young was the story of the night, but the Texas D did a pretty dang good job considering all the weapons USC has on offense.

Yes, I agree that they did limit the number of big plays that other teams have failed to stop all year, but still if you ask any defense on any level, not one of them will be happy with themselves for giving up 38 points in regulation time. The victory and the championship though, won't make any of them regret anything, but still when they look back at what they did defensively im sure they won't be very proud at the overall job.

But there no way that they can feel any worse than USC's defense does ...

 

[High Lonesome]

though not quite on the pololmalu level of travesties, Drew kelson did get screwed out of an int that was on a drive that ended in a touchdown. I was impressed with our OLB running stride for stride with Bush on a wheel route, I think Leinart was too.

 

[exhawg]

It sounds like the Texans are happy with Carr so if they can improve their OL even as much as the Browns did last year they should be fine this season. They already have Davis so that they can use 2 RB's like USC did the past 2-3 seasons with Bush. That will allow Bush to stay fresh and split out as a receiver some. Having 2 good RB's seemed to work well for the Steelers and Chiefs this season. If I was the coach I would try to have Bush on the field 80% of the time, but only line him up at RB 50%. IMO Bush adds more to the Texans than Vince Young would because they would have to trade Carr and probably wouldn't get much for him even though he isn't their biggest problem anyway.

 

[High Lonesome]

the texans have all but said that bush is their man....and the city is in an uproar. Talks of dropping their season tickets, to becomming cowboy fans are dominating the headlines. the fact is that every "nfl guy" that has looked at the texans has said that David carr is their guy. people are still sold that he is the guy that they drafted with their first overall pick. reggie bush is grading out as the best pro prospect since barry sanders and it seems logical that the texans are going to take him

 

[ScarletBlood31]

It sounds like the Texans are happy with Carr so if they can improve their OL even as much as the Browns did last year they should be fine this season. They already have Davis so that they can use 2 RB's like USC did the past 2-3 seasons with Bush. That will allow Bush to stay fresh and split out as a receiver some. Having 2 good RB's seemed to work well for the Steelers and Chiefs this season. If I was the coach I would try to have Bush on the field 80% of the time, but only line him up at RB 50%. IMO Bush adds more to the Texans than Vince Young would because they would have to trade Carr and probably wouldn't get much for him even though he isn't their biggest problem anyway.

That's actually one of the best posts yet that would convince me on drafting Bush instead of trading down for O-linemen. I like the idea of using Bush sparingly to keep him fresh and full speed, rather than trying to make him into a 20-25 carries a game RB.