Flashback to the offseason: “Hahaha!” Those were the laughs of many when Tony Sparano, (former) Miami Dolphins head coach, told the media that Reggie Bush would be the Dolphins’ feature back.
Today: Reggie Bush has proven the critics and haters wrong by having his best year as a pro.
Reggie Bush was a full out celebrity coming out of USC and was expected to deliver in shining colors for the Saints. Despite winning a Super Bowl, Reggie was plagued by injuries in New Orleans and to be honest didn’t deliver as the #2 pick of the draft really should.
Bush’s numbers in New Orleans were from anything dazzling and did not resemble numbers of even a starting running back in this league.
Bush’s Stats as a Runner
| Season | Team | Games | Carries | Yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2006 |
NO |
16 |
155 |
565 |
6 |
|
2007 |
NO |
12 |
157 |
581 |
0 |
|
2008 |
NO |
10 |
52 |
404 |
5 |
|
2009 |
NO |
14 |
47 |
390 |
2 |
|
2010 |
NO |
8 |
34 |
150 |
4 |
| 2011 | MIA | 14 | 194 | 973 | 6 |
Bush never really got the respect from Saints coach Sean Payton to be a true feature back and was used more as a flex player or receiver. Bush was always the complimentary or change-of-pace back which was sometimes effective in New Orleans, but he was never given the carries to build on and be as productive as he would have liked. Saints fans will probably consider Bush’s tenure in New Orleans a failure but Bush was never really given the opportunity like he has been in Miami.
Bush told the Palm Beach Post, “I understand the questioning. I was hurt a few years and wasn’t getting the amount of touches and yards, so people should be questioning me, whether I can do it or not. But I knew given the opportunity I’d be able to show I’m an every-down back.”
Bush’s Stats as a Receiver
| Season | Team | Games | Receptions | Yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2006 |
NO |
16 |
88 |
742 |
2 |
|
2007 |
NO |
12 |
73 |
417 |
2 |
|
2008 |
NO |
10 |
52 |
440 |
4 |
|
2009 |
NO |
14 |
47 |
335 |
3 |
|
2010 |
NO |
8 |
34 |
208 |
1 |
| 2011 | MIA | 14 | 41 | 270 | 1 |
When Bush came to Miami he wanted a fresh start. And when training camp opened Bush worked as hard as any player on the team and was frequently seen after practice working on his game.
Things in Miami didn’t get off to the greatest start for Bush. Bush started off with a nice week 1 however wasn’t properly used for the beginning games of the season and therefore was lacking in production. It took some time for offensive coordinator Brian Daboll to properly find out how to use Bush effectively. Bush has now been given more carries as the season has progressed and Miami is making an effort to put him in open space and it has certainly benefited them.
Bush’s hard work and patience early in the year has paid off, as he now ranks as the 4th best rusher in the AFC.
With two games left to play, Bush has already set or tied career highs in rushing yards, attempts and touchdowns. Bush is also expected to be a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time in his career. The transition Bush has made from a tap dancer into a true NFL running back, able to run effectively between the tackles, has been outstanding. Reggie has also been a leader on and off the field always trying to rally his troops. Reggie had his best week this past week gaining over 200 yards on the ground, his best ever single season effort.
After this week’s 203 yard game, Bush called Sparano and thanked him, explaining to the Palm Beach Post: “If it wasn’t for him believing in me, I wouldn’t be here. I don’t know where I’d be, and I appreciate him for a lot and I told him that and I thanked him and look forward to working with him again in the near future, wherever that may be.”
While right now it might be a long shot to see Reggie heading to Hawaii, if Ray Rice goes to the Super Bowl or if Arian Foster/MJD pull out of the Pro Bowl, it would not be shocking to see Reggie be rewarded with a trip to Honolulu.
The Dolphins don’t have much to be thankful for this year, but Reggie Bush is one thing that Miami has been able to sit back and enjoy.
