Post by Kliquid on Sept 13, 2010 19:52:42 GMT -5
Is New Orleans Saints' RB Reggie Bush Worth Owning?
I have taken a lot of heat, during my time as a football writer, for making excuses for New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush. While others have turned their backs on him, calling him a “bust” and criticizing his performances on and off the field, I have stuck by him and his ability to be one of the most dynamic football players in the NFL.
I believe that most NFL analysts are too harsh on Bush’s real-life contributions to the Saints. He is constantly criticized for not being able to run between-the-tackles, yet numbers indicate that he is actually significantly more successful running between-the-tackles than he is off-tackle.
Bush had an impressive 5.6 yards per carry in 2009 (compared to Pierre Thomas’ 5.4 yards per carry and Mike Bell’s 3.8 yards per carry), so the popular opinion that he “can’t run” is obviously not true.
But Bush’s biggest contribution to the Saints actually has to do with what happens when he doesn’t even touch the ball. Ask any NFL Defensive Coordinator and he will tell you that Reggie Bush is an absolute matchup nightmare.
When the Saints put him in the game, defenses almost always put an additional cornerback on the field or “spy” him with their safety in an effort to slow down his effectiveness in the passing game. This leads to opportunities for other players in the offense to have favorable matchups against linebackers, safeties, or single coverage from cornerbacks.
But fantasy football is completely different than reality—and when it comes to fantasy football, my sentiments are beginning to change regarding Bush.
(read more...)
I have taken a lot of heat, during my time as a football writer, for making excuses for New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush. While others have turned their backs on him, calling him a “bust” and criticizing his performances on and off the field, I have stuck by him and his ability to be one of the most dynamic football players in the NFL.
I believe that most NFL analysts are too harsh on Bush’s real-life contributions to the Saints. He is constantly criticized for not being able to run between-the-tackles, yet numbers indicate that he is actually significantly more successful running between-the-tackles than he is off-tackle.
Bush had an impressive 5.6 yards per carry in 2009 (compared to Pierre Thomas’ 5.4 yards per carry and Mike Bell’s 3.8 yards per carry), so the popular opinion that he “can’t run” is obviously not true.
But Bush’s biggest contribution to the Saints actually has to do with what happens when he doesn’t even touch the ball. Ask any NFL Defensive Coordinator and he will tell you that Reggie Bush is an absolute matchup nightmare.
When the Saints put him in the game, defenses almost always put an additional cornerback on the field or “spy” him with their safety in an effort to slow down his effectiveness in the passing game. This leads to opportunities for other players in the offense to have favorable matchups against linebackers, safeties, or single coverage from cornerbacks.
But fantasy football is completely different than reality—and when it comes to fantasy football, my sentiments are beginning to change regarding Bush.
(read more...)
