Devilzsidewalk wrote:he can catch the ball just fine, but its not like he's breaking long runs on the regular, thats the whole point, he was supposed to be a game-breaker that could go the distance at anytime and I'm still waiting for that.
It's really not all that simple, but point taken I guess. I think some expectations of Bush were unreal. People wanted a 1700 yard rusher, and 100 catch receiver from the go. It was a long adjustment period, but that will happen when you play in the crap-10 and no one can lay a finger on you.
These three games isn't a good indicator of much, the offensive line has been so horrible no one can do anything. When Deuce Mcallister(the guy who rushed for 1600 yards and 8 TD's behind a poor line) can't get anything up the gut, things are bad.
The center of our o-line is collapsing, not really letting anything set up....
He had more than his share of game breaking plays last year though, that's undeniable, from the game winning punt return, to the huge game against san fran and New York, the explosion on the cowboys, the super dive against the steelers, the 88 yard catch and burn on the bears. Hell his first time he ever touched the ball in pre-season he went for like 45 yards against the Titans
The way the defense accounts for him can't be overlooked. It sounds like a cop out, but he sees as much defensive attention as ANYONE in the league, which really is a part of his value(note the fake reverse on the kickoff, where the entire Titan cover unit went for Bush).
He's rough around the edges, he gets in a zone where he will just be a tremendous runner, and looks perfect, breaking arm tackles, making the precise cuts, juking defenders, putting his head down and delivering a pop. Then he will get where he can't decide where he wants to run, or where he hits the hole so fast that he outruns the blockers and runs directly into the defense. The crap blocking in the middle doesn't help at all, he is forced to take it outside now....
The other issue I have, is Sean Payton doesn't like to run Reggie behind Mike Karney, I think he would really excel if he could make his cut off of a great lead blocker like him. He has inconsistency picking his spots, but when he gets behind a blocker, and his instincts take over and he starts making cuts, that's when he is at his very best.
He's so good now, and has so many ways that he can easily improve(and he has) that it is very encouraging, and we are willing to take the rough patches.
As for Vince Young, he's another guy you just have to account for on every play, which really messes with a defense. The fact that he is up about 11% over last years passing percentage is a testament to how fast he learns. His receivers are worse this year, and pretty inconsistent overall IMO, but he's doing a pretty good job. Like Reggie, he has some rough spots, he still has lapses(that David INT) but he is so good now, you are just willing to take the bad with the good. The other nit pick I have right now, is what J. Kim pointed out last night, he's like the anti-Vick. sometimes it's like "RUN VINCE" but he is still looking to throw, when he has a clear running lane he should take.
To be honest, I think the draft worked out the best way it could, maybe not for the media, or to the casual fan. a dominant DE is important as anyone, and the Texans needed defensive help in the worse way possible.
The Saint's needed an infusion of talent PERIOD, Bush was the best player available, the highest rated prospect, a terrific fit, and a media gold mine. Didn't need a QB, but coming up on the draft, I was hoping we would take Young, but I also thought there was no way Bush slipped past 1. We didn't need a DE, that's about the only thing that wasn't a question mark on the team
Brees was coming off shoulder surgery, and Deuce off knee injury.
Vince Young was the "leftover" of the three, but possibly the one with the highest amount of upside. Tennessee was in the same boat as the Saints, and just wanted a talent infusion, and it fit because they snagged the future at QB.
I think it all worked out, and all 3 teams are going to be so extremely happy with their picks, all of this will be moot.
On a side note, I thought Ferguson was the best OT prospect I had seen since probably Walter Jones, I think his blocking against speed rushers is probably unmatched, Brick is just so quick and athletic, and his footwork is just so good. he might not be able to handle the great bull rushers yet, but IMO it's much easier to add bulk and become a better power blocker than trying to do the opposite, which is why I had Brick more highly rated than Joe Thomas, who might end up a more "complete" LT, because I think Ferguson will be THE premier pass blocker.
Then there was AJ Hawk, a cerebral, athletic, tough LB who should be a pro bowler for years. 4-3 LB at it's finest.
Vernon Davis... wow, possibly the most freakish athlete since Bo Jackson. Unreal.
Haloti Ngata? This guy could be the best NT, or 4-3 DT, and even a 3-4 DE. He's so talented, and when motivated, so good.....
The point of all that? that's 7 guys who could very well be the best player in the league at their respective positions, sooner rather than later.
What a talented top heavy, potential laden draft.
I'm going take a nap before my next class.
It's not a particularly long throwing motion either. And while the release point is a bit lower than where you'd want it to be, the guy is 6-5, taller than most QBs, and stands tall in the pocket, so I personally, don't think it will be batted down as much as some of the other QBs in the league with low release points.
