REALITY CHECK
March 19, 2008
The Saints’ star runner lost some of his sparkle during his sophomore season. Now, Reggie Bush looks to rededicate himself to football and slow his Hollywood lifestyle
Wednesday, March 19, 2008By Mike Triplett
Saints tailback Reggie Bush had a front-row seat in the New Orleans Arena on Monday night for Hornets guard Chris Paul’s latest show-stopping performance.
The two young superstars live near each other downtown and have become friends. Bush said it has been great to watch Paul and the Hornets thrive this season.
But he also said it has put a lot of pressure on him to keep pace.
“Now I’ve got to come out and have an equal or better year,” Bush said. “I’ve got to get the crowd chanting M-V-P.”
Those kind of lofty expectations are nothing new for Bush, the former Heisman Trophy winner, No. 2 overall draft pick in 2006 and anointed savior of the Saints.
But now, for the first time in his football life, Bush has hit a bump in the road. Last year, he suffered through his first losing season at any level and missed games with a knee injury, also a first. And he faced more doubt and criticism than ever about his ability to succeed in the National Football League.
“I’ve had plenty of time to reflect,” said Bush, who turned 23 this month. “I missed the last four games. That really hurt me because I never really had to miss any games before. I had a lot of time to think and just go through what approach I want to take this year and how I want to go about this year and getting to that elite level of athletes.”
That approach is an increased focus on football and the Saints, specifically, throughout the offseason. He arrived for the start of the team’s offseason workout program Monday and plans to stay throughout most of the spring and summer.
Last year, Bush spent most of his offseason in Southern California. He stayed dedicated to his training, he said, but he realized it’s not the same as being around teammates and coaches every day.
“Last year I kind of felt like I could still do the same things out there that I could do here. I was (doing so), but it was also a little different,” he said. “Sometimes you can get your teammates in the film room, and with the coaches you get to go over little things that you can’t get when you’re not here at the facility.
“I definitely feel like there’s a lot that I want to accomplish this year. I’m a competitor, and I’m just trying to do everything I can and get every little edge to compete and to make myself better.”
Focusing on football
Bush said that will extend off the field, as well.
He has lived the superstar life dating to his days at the University of Southern California, attending Hollywood events and appearing in dozens of commercials. This year, he plans to cut back on some of those things.
“I’m taking a whole different approach this year in just how I go about my business and my life,” said Bush, who admitted he was humbled after a 7-9 season. “Cutting a lot of stuff out in my life and (simplifying) everything. As football goes and in every aspect of my life, I’m just trying to cut everything down. Cut a lot of stuff out. Cut a lot of people out, and just focus on football.
“These last two years, I definitely learned a lot. I feel like I’m maturing, and I feel like that’s what it’s all about. Maturing and learning. Going through life’s experiences. And football, it’s the right thing to do is to be here and working out with my teammates.”
That approach will no doubt be appreciated in the locker room.
A humbling season
Bush has always been respected by veteran teammates as a hard worker and a sensational talent. But some, like quarterback Drew Brees and fullback Mike Karney, suggested last year that he needs to learn how to be more professional in his approach.
Bush seems to have taken that advice to heart.
Receiver David Patten said he doesn’t think Bush needed to be humbled because he never carried himself like he was “The Man.” But he did say that last season offered a reality check about how difficult it is to succeed in the NFL.
“I think the expectations for him were so high, people were disappointed,” Patten said. “But at the same time, he’s still a baby. He’s still a puppy. He’s still learning the game. And whenever he hits his stride, the sky’s really the limit.”
“I think this league can humble all of us, players, coaches,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “So a guy like Reggie, his standards are real high for himself. He’s a guy that’s been successful; he’s used to winning. And it’s not by accident that success has followed him. He’s a tremendous competitor. And he’s a guy that I think will work extremely hard to improve this offseason.”
Bush gained 581 yards rushing and 417 yards receiving last year with six touchdowns. But he was never able to produce consistently as the team’s featured back after starter Deuce McAllister went down with a season-ending knee injury in the third week of the season.
Bush also ranked among the league leaders in dropped passes, with 10, and fumbles, with eight, three of which were lost.
A dangerous weapon
Several factors, in addition to increased maturity and understanding of the game, should help Bush rebound in 2008.
For starters, he’ll be healthy again. Bush’s knee started giving him problems around midseason, forcing him to miss practice time and lose some of his explosiveness.
He also won’t be thrown into an unexpected role this year, like he was after McAllister’s injury. One way or another, the Saints’ coaches will figure out how to better share the offensive load, whether it’s a healthy McAllister or backups Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas taking more handoffs.
The coaching staff will work hard to figure out the best way to use their unique offensive weapon. Bush is dangerous as a runner, receiver and return man. He was especially effective in the second half of his rookie season, when the Saints’ offense was at its peak.
“I like to mix it up, because it gives me a chance to do different things from different positions, and it gives me different looks. I feel like in that respect I’m more dangerous,” said Bush, who is looking forward to returning more punts this year. “It’s going to pose more threats to defenses when I’m split out wide or returning punts and kicks. Also, having Deuce in the backfield and with (receiver Marques) Colston, we’ve got so many weapons, that we can’t help but win in that sense.”
Comments
Got something to say?
2009 SPONSOR
ADVERTISERS
