In an Associated Press story, Reggie Bush is described as "a 'disappointment' in New Orleans because he's only been good, not great." Because there are such immediate expectations for first-round picks, and because teams make such an investment in these players, anything short of spectacular will earn criticism from fans and the media. The article continues:
Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans. "Why hasn't he scored a touchdown yet?" asks Bobby Hebert, the Saints' quarterback of the 1980s and now a talk show host in New Orleans. Hebert always was a bit excitable. Bush is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry as the outside alternative to Deuce McAllister. But he leads a 3-1 team in receptions with 23, three more than Colston, and he's bound to break a big one soon. No, he's not yet LaDainian Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk or Tiki Barber, but he will be. Or better. He's 15th in the NFC in yards from scrimmage, and only will move up.Like most things sensationalized in the media, this too is being blown out of proportion. The season is four weeks old and Bush hasn't played at a pro bowl level, but the Saints don't need him to.
Or, at least they didn't need him to until this week. With the Saints trailing the Buccaneers 21-17 will less than five minutes in the game, Bush promptly returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown. And in case you've been under a rock, that's his first touchdown of the season (thank you jesus!).
New Orleans went on to win the game, the team is now 4-1 and leading the NFC South, and Reggie Bush has quieted his critics, at least for the week. What a difference a year makes if you're a New Orleans Saints fan.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-08-2006 @ 6:32PM
Chris a Bucs Supporter said...
My hat goes off to Reggie Bush for a great punt return for his first NFL touchdown.
Now more criticism for Gruden. For the second straight game Gruden has called a go route on a 3rd and 5 or less late in the 4th quarter. Both times this play has failed. Why try to get more than is necessary when you have a chance to at least tie the game and go into an over-time situation. It seems to me that he may need an offensive coordinator for the real game situations since his crunch time decisions have not been working. To think tiis team could be 2-2 if not for terrible 4th quarter calls by a coach that never proved himself with the Raiders but won a championship with a Tony Dungy team. It's a shame that Tampa Bay let Dungy go for a coach that forgot the defense and never gives a quarterback a second chance even though the quarterback has proven himself a winner
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10-08-2006 @ 8:52PM
ron said...
the hype about bush not scoring a touchdown has not come from the fans but the media, we have to remember this is the NFL the game is much different , the players are more perfected on this level. i personally believe the very presence of reggie bush on the field is one of the reasons the siants has had sucess wheter he touches the ball or not teams have to account for him.i think reggie may have put pressure on himself to score but it finally came to him today and i think he will relax and we will see a much improved player over the next 11 games.
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10-09-2006 @ 10:25AM
michael said...
i agree that the media hyped reggie bush not scoring a touchdown. i live in new orleans and will tell you that no fans around here are calling him a bust. as bad as reggie wanted his first TD, i especially wanted him to get it also because of everything that he has been doing for my city. it didn't matter to much to me if he never scored for the rest of his career. as much as he has done for new orleans and the presence that he has brought, he's been scoring TDs every day.
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10-09-2006 @ 10:25AM
stevenf said...
this is not the old Saints. I am happy to see that New Orleans have a good team this yr. And i know this yr the Saints will be in the play off. "Go Saints" I will be one that can say that this yr. and hopeing that this yr thay have a lot to play for.
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10-09-2006 @ 12:27PM
Chris B. said...
I am happy for Reggie that he got his first touchdown, although that was never an issue for me. It is obvious that he contributed to all the Saints' victories even though he did not score. As a Saints fan, it is good to see them doing so well. This next game against Philly is an important one in determining how good our team really is. Only one of our victories so far has been against a team with a winning record, so this next game will be a real test. Go Saints!
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10-09-2006 @ 12:45PM
David McShane said...
Look Ryan Wilson, I'm a Saints fan, a New Orleans native and have been living in Los Angeles pre-Katrina. What's this crap aboput New Orleans seeing Reggie Bush as a disappointed? You media types are a bunch of hogwashed hypes of crap! You'll put anything on paper for a good story. Are you employed by the New York Times? If not, you should be! They're the worst!
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10-09-2006 @ 3:53PM
Daphijny said...
Bless You Boys.... Geauxxx Saints..... You're doing a great job, you make me and my family miss being back home in New Orleans every Sunday, you also make us proud. Thanks
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10-13-2006 @ 12:00PM
Samantha Owens said...
reggie did so good i was so happy when he socored that touch down and it was the game winning touchdown so that made it even better and i had to wear his jersey to show the world that he scored his first touchdown in the nfl and he is here to stay for along time and he is so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so sos so sexy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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11-09-2006 @ 12:04PM
CoolRider said...
Reggie Bush is going to be a major Bust. He reminds me of Desmond Howard or Rocket Ismail, fast and quick but very small. He want be able to take the pounding of the NFL. Sorry Saints fan, but Reggie is no LT or Marshall Faulk.
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11-11-2006 @ 3:37AM
Mike said...
I'm not a media type but halfway through the season lets take a look at the numbers. He is averaging 2.6 yards a carry, he hasn't scored an offensive touchdown (but has a fumble) and against Tampa he rushed for negative yards. As a receiver his average, 6.8 yards, is well below the Saints team average of 11.9 yards. Those numbers add up to bust for me.
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