Jonathan Storti
NFL Football Playoffs
It was only five years ago that Reggie Bush was tearing up college football, juking defenders out of their jockstrap and accelerating towards end zones like a Ferrari. The NFL football world was in an uproar when Bush was passed over to be the #1 pick of the Houston Texans in favor of defensive end Mario Williams. Five years later it appeared the Texans had made the right move; Bush has largely underwhelmed fans in his first four years as a pro. An inability to gain tough yards forced Bush to become a change of pace back, better known for returning punts and catching passes out of the backfield. This all changed Saturday in the divisional round when the New Orleans’ Saints played against the Arizona Cardinals. Reggie Bush ran with purpose, a focused determination that had not been seen since his days at USC. Bush scored on a mystifying 46-yard run that embarrassed the Cardinals defenders. Reggie scored another touchdown on an 83-yard punt return which showcased his blazing speed. Saints fans must have been asking themselves why he wasn’t playing this well from the beginning. NFL Football like many other professions is based on confidence, Bush’s performance exuded swagger. The determination Bush exhibited during that game was absolutely remarkable; he would not be denied. Yet there may be a less flattering way to look at Reggie’s great performance.
At the end of this season the New Orleans’ Saints have the option to pick up Bush’s contract for another year, at the princely price of $12.8 million dollars. If Bush was merely playing hard to assure himself of a fat contract it would set off red flags. There is nothing more dangerous than putting stock in a player’s performance during a contract year or right before an option to pickup. More often than athletes would like to admit, after a fat, new contract the player becomes soft. He’ll run out of bounds more often, try to avoid contact, and play an overall less aggressive game. This is all detrimental to the team, not to mention the money wasted on a player only worried about dollars and cents. While it is too early to presume Bush’s resurgence is directly correlated to his contractual obligations, the notion should not be forgotten. If the Saints had any sense they would try and get the ball in Bush’s hands even more, against the Cardinals he only rushed the ball five times. Reggie Bush has always been a gamebreaker, but now it looks as if his confidence matches his abilities.
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