NEW ORLEANS -- Well, Mr. Bush, let me be the first to apologize.
I've called you soft. I've said you were the football equivalent of Sade. I've said you had the toughness of a polo player and the spine of a salamander.
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| The Saints need to better utilize Mr. Bush's magic in the running attack. (Getty Images) |
Dear Reggie: Sorry bro'.
Oh, wait, look. Bush just scored again on a punt return.
How many punt returns for a touchdown was that against Minnesota on Monday night anyway, 17?
Bush makes Devin Hester look like Refrigerator Perry.
The Flash called Reggie. He wants his speed back.
In one of the most electrifying nights ever for a punt return weapon, Bush scored twice on two stunning returns, and neither of the scores had anything to do with Kim Kardashian.
The Saints lost 30-27 in a game that possibly saved the job of Vikings coach Brad Childress and also simultaneously demonstrated the greatness of Bush and the weaknesses of New Orleans, all in one fell swoop.
"Probably one of the weirdest games I've ever been involved in," Saints quarterback Drew Brees said.
While Bush will never remind anyone of Brandon Jacobs, he nevertheless showed he can still drastically change the outcome of a game even if he isn't the most physical player on the field.
So sorry, Reggie. Would you like the apology in written form or is a phone call OK?
Bush first scored a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown that left 70,015 in the Louisiana Superdome and Vikings players breathless. It was his third career punt return for a score.
Just minutes after that he almost broke another huge punt return for a touchdown but fell. Only the ground can stop Bush.
Bush wasn't done. He followed two crushing blocks for his second score, this one from 64 yards, in a move that'll surely cause hell in the Vikings' special teams meetings.
Bush became only the 12th player in NFL history to score twice in a game on punt returns. His 176 return yards on punts was a team record as were the two scores.
Bush was simply remarkable.
"Those two punt returns were unbelievable," Brees said. "It was fun to watch."
This is a night in the life of Reggie Bush. There was something extraordinary, something fantastic, and it was all mixed into a final concoction that both frustrated and amazed.
Bush acknowledged that the returns were important but like other Saints players he was concerned about the team's ability to close teams out.
"I felt like we were in quicksand," Bush said. "We couldn't do anything."
While there remain understandable doubts about Bush's potential to carry the Saints on his back to a Super Bowl -- if he did carry them, it would be on runs to the outside (sorry couldn't resist) -- there's little doubt that his overall game is easy on the eyes.
That's because he makes up for his softness as an every down runner with his brilliance as a punt returner and receiver out of the backfield.
So, Mr. Bush -- can I call you Mr. Bush? -- apology delivered.
However ...
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| Twinsguy46 This article is ridiculous. You apologize for saying that Bush couldn't run up the middle, and it's two punt returns that have now convinced you he was wrong on that count? Twinsguy46 - What a joke. Reggie Bush is a great athlete, and has great speed, and is a great weapon. But, he will never be a between-the-tackles runner anymore than T-Jack will be a Pro Bowl quarterback. They just don't have that in their game, and you shouldn't apologize for calling out things that are obviously true. |
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| Mike Freeman: Not really apologizing for saying he can't run between the tackles. He can't. The apology is more for saying he's a big, fat bust. Which he isn't. If Bush can do that on special teams, he'll be special, no matter his running style. |
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The Saints' loss to the Vikings exemplified that while this franchise is filled with talent it'll be difficult for the Saints to advance to a Super Bowl. Not impossible but difficult.
The reason why is New Orleans lacks toughness and physicality. When the New York Giants play a physical team they refuse to get beaten up, instead, they do the beating.
The Saints are the opposite. They're finesse built for the cushy confines of the NFC West and dome living. If teams don't hit them hard the Saints are fine. But if they get punched in the mouth, like against the Vikings, they tend to shrivel up.
The Saints had no reason losing to a horrible Vikings team at home but they did because they couldn't hang punch to punch.
"We got to learn how to win," Brees said. "We've got to learn how to win (these type of) games."
About the first punt return, Saints coach Sean Payton said, "It's a huge (positive) effect. The momentum shifted with the first one." But as Payton pointed out they couldn't keep that momentum.
What helps do that is a strong running game. Look across the NFC especially in the premier division, the East. All of the teams have tough, physical runners from Jacobs to Clinton Portis in Washington to Brian Westbrook in Philadelphia and Marion Barber in Dallas.
The Saints have an under-utilized Deuce McAllister.
The Saints know they have an outstanding weapon in Bush. Now, they have to figure out how to use that magic in the running game.
If they can, lots more apologies to Mr. Bush from many others will be immediately forthcoming.
Kace1977 
