Saint Reggie says coming to N.O. 'a blessing'
Sunday, October 22, 2006
By Mike Triplett

Six games into his NFL career, Reggie Bush is still seeking a breakout performance and his first offensive touchdown.

But he's not disappointed, and he's certainly not bored.

It helps that the Saints are off to a 5-1 start. It helps even more that Bush is the most versatile piece in Coach Sean Payton's complex and creative offensive puzzle.

"I'm very excited," Bush said of his triple-threat role of runner/receiver/returner. "I think everything is good right now. I'm happy. I feel like they're giving me an opportunity to just go out and make plays. Putting me in space and putting me in situations where I'm mismatched with a linebacker or whatever.

"I like this offense. It's definitely been a blessing coming here."

As a tailback, Bush hasn't been very productive yet, rushing 65 times for 195 yards, an average of 3 yards per carry.

As a punt returner, he experienced some early frustrations before a dramatic 65-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter lifted the Saints to victory over Tampa Bay two weeks ago at the Superdome.

As a receiver, Bush is doing his most damage while flirting with NFL history.

Bush has 38 receptions, tied for third in the league this year. Only one player in NFL history had more receptions in the first six games of his career, when Arizona's Anquan Boldin caught 39 passes in 2003.

Boldin finished with 101 that year, the all-time NFL record for a rookie. That's a lofty goal for Bush, but not one he's focused on right now.

"I want to win a Super Bowl," Bush said. "All the accolades and everything that comes with it, that's fine. I've never been a big stat guy. For me, the only goal in mind is just to win a Super Bowl."

Bush, who shares the backfield with starting tailback Deuce McAllister, lines up more often as a receiver than a runner. Sometimes he starts out wide or in the slot. Other times, he lines up in the backfield, then goes in motion.

He has been particular valuable on third downs, catching dumpoff passes in short-yardage situations or using his speed to gain an extra few yards to reach the chains on third-and-long.

Bush also has been valuable as a decoy. Defenses clearly have focused on him, over-pursuing at times because he is such a breakaway threat. As a result, guys like McAllister and receivers Joe Horn and Marques Colston have been able to make big plays.

So far, Bush has embraced his role. And Payton said he has not felt any pressure to create more opportunities for the Heisman Trophy-winning rookie.

"There's enough formation, play design, play type on his plate that I don't think we're ever losing his interest," Payton said. "There's a ton of different positions we're putting him in. He's still a running back first, and we'll continue to work on his touches behind center. But each game presents a type of challenge with regards to the balance that you have, whether you're throwing it or running it.

"As long as you feel like as a play-caller, he's actively involved in changing field position and what you're doing. Last week he was (against Philadelphia). I think so far, being multiple enough to have him involved in not only the passing game but the running game and special teams is something we've tried to do."

Read more at the Nola

February
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• College Football Recruit News
• Bush Whacked? - Real World Rules
• Reggie Bush: 'I Didn't Point at Urlacher'
• Super Bowl XLI Champions - Indianapolis Colts
• Reggie Bush Gets Away From Questions
• Saints, Reggie Bush Gets Super Respect

January
• Reggie Bush Cannot Juke Out of Investigation
• Reggie Bush Fined $5,000 for Taunting
• Super Bowl XLI Preview
• Reggie Bush Pays 5 Million for Hollywood Hills Home
• Reggie Bush Admits “I'm a Bush!”
• In One Play, Reggie Bush Shows Talent and Inexperience
• Tell Us Your Thoughts on Reggie Bush's 2006 - 2007 Season!
• Saints’ Reggie Bush Lifts a Franchise and a City
• Reggie Owes Team Lunch
• Saints' Reggie Bush a Big Fan of Eagles' Brian Westbrook
• Eagles Must Deal with the Versatility of Reggie Bush
• Reggie Bush, McAllister Help Keep Opponents Guessing on Game Plan
• Reggie Bush and Deuce Make Saints Contender

December
• 2007 NFL Draft: First Look
• No USC Sideline Pass Upsets Bush
• Bush Not Welcome at USC's Rose Bowl
• Reggie Bush Runs for 126 Yards as Saints Rolls Over the Giants 30-7
• Giants Face Tough Task Going Against Reggie Bush and the Saints
• All Reggie Bush, All the Time
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• Reggie Bush, NFL Rookie Record-Setter, Leads Saints
• Reggie Bush Tweaked Shoulder on Fourth TD
• Reggie Bush is Golden Against 49ers
• Bush-Gore Rematch Hits the Big Easy on Sunday
• Reggie Bush Ready for School Reunion

November
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• Reggie Bush Sets Saints Rookie Reception Record
• Bengals Differ on Reggie Bush
• Unfulfilled Promise – Reggie Bush
• Reggie Bush Fires Marketing Agent
• Overpaid Player of the Week: Reggie Bush
• Payton: Reggie Bush Bashers are Off Base
• Reggie Bush is Struggling
• Reggie Bush Confident He`ll Play Sunday vs. Tampa Bay

October
• Reggie Bush Injured Against Ravens
• Bush Says Ankle Injury Isn't Serious
• Jonnie Gets a Warm Welcome from the Saints
• Payton Has Saints in Right Place This Season
• Run, Reggie, Run
• New Orleans Saints Road to Success
• Last Week's Series of Wild Finishes is a Tough Act to Follow
• New Orleans Saints Road to Success
• Leftwich's Status in Doubt
• Inside Slant
• Another Look at Williams vs. Bush
• Saint Reggie says coming to N.O. 'a blessing'
• New Orleans Saints Going National with Reggie Bush
• Saints Using Reggie Bush Much Like Eagles Use Westbrook
• Eagles Concerned About Reggie Bush Matchup
• Reggie Bush Earns NFC Weekly Honors
• McAllister Gladly Takes Backseat to Rookie Reggie Bush
• Reggie Bush Scores on 65-Yard Return
• Reggie Bush Eager to Plant His Feet In End Zone
• Reggie Bush Ready to Give Fans First TD
• Bush Endures Rough Day vs. Panthers

September
• Even If Reggie Bush Broke Rules, He Won't Lose His Heisman
• Reggie Bush Joins John Lovitz for Subway’s Daytime Drama
• Reggie Bush Blastoff Just a Matter of Time
• Minus Big Gains, Saints Still Sense Boost from Reggie Bush
• Reggie Bush Case Stinks All The Way Around
• USC Receiver McFoy Backs Reggie Bush's Stance on Controversy
• Reggie Bush in Danger of Historic Loss
• Reggie Bush Deserved More
• New Orleans Saints Green Bay Win Shows Team Not Reggie Bush League
• Reggie Bush Responds to Gift Allegations
• Reggie Bush, NCAA at Odds
• Reggie Bush Has Good Mate to Run With
• Reggie Bush Opens Professional Career With 141 Total Yards, Win Over Browns
• Browns Drop Opener to Saints, Reggie Bush
• New Orleans Saw Reggie Bush Against Browns
• NFL's Reggie Bush, Top Rookie Endorser, Scores $5 Million in Contracts
• Saints RB Reggie Bush Providing Exclusive Content for CBS SportsLine
• New Orleans Gives Reggie Bush a Lot of Love, and He Returns It
• Saints Rookie Shows He Can Take Big Hits

August
• Reggie Bush is Putting Down Roots In New Orleans
• More Reggie Bush Biography
• In Bush, New Orleans Truly Has a Saint on Its Hands
• Colts-Saints Contest Cooks Up a Bayou Taste
• New Orleans Saints 2006 Season Preview
• Bush NFLDraftblitz Interview
• More Reggie Bush Highlights
• Just Added Reggie Bush Videos
• Reggie Bush Wont Have His Shoes Shined
• Reggie Bush Odds-On Favorite to Capture NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
• Reggie Bush Reggie Bush Fined by NFL for Wearing Unauthorized Cleats
• Saints Vs Titans Preseason Opener
• College Football Preview, Pac 10 - USC Trojans
• NCAA Football Preview
• NFL Rookies
• Reggie Bush Struggles in First Scrimmage
•2006 Reggie Bush News
•2005 Reggie Bush News