Now that Reggie Bush has given a game away, will people admit that maybe he wasn't such a slam dunk top pick?
With the score tied at 24 with 7:03 left in the 3rd quarter at Heinz Field, Bush put the ball on the ground. The Steelers recovered and immediately scored the first of three unanswered touchdowns that clearly swung the game in their favor.
Sean Payton greeted Bush with a potty-mouth tirade as the rookie came to the sideline. It seemed a bit much considering that even Jim Brown might not have held on to the ball if a safety got a hat on it as he fell forward. But it wasn't too much, if in a moment of frustration, Payton was forced to confront a reality nine games in the making -- right now, Reggie Bush just isn't that good.
But I've been saying something much like this all season and I was all set to go into it again today until I noticed that Jones had done most of it for me. Jones mentions Rocket Ismail but I think Bush is most comparable to fellow USC alum Chad Morton. He'll make two or three big plays a year on special teams or on gadget plays like the reverse that got him the first rushing TD of his career.. nine games in, but don't expect him to become an every-down back. He couldn't even pull that off in college.
I might have trouble holding onto the ball too, if it was roughly twice my size.
As for the rest of the team, well, they continue to do two things very well: pass the ball and play no defense. The Saints have squeezed out six wins this season on guts and smarts. If they end up winning more than they lose, Drew Brees is your 2006 MVP.
Are we sure that shoulder wasn't healed by laying on of hands or something?
Were it not for Terrence Copper's fumble in the closing minutes, is there really any doubt that Brees would have found a way to get the tying touchdown? BTW, why is this Copper guy playing ahead of the speedy Devery Henderson, camp sensation Jamal Jones, and Everyone's Favorite Saint Michael Lewis? Fitch n Dar Dar asked the same question yesterday. I still haven't heard a decent answer.
Who let this guy in here anyway?
The defense plays hard but just isn't good enough. This coming offseason, the Saints will have to upgrade the linebackers and corners... and yes you have heard this before... many many times. It's still refreshing after the past few seasons to watch a team that doesn't quit. On each of Willie Parker's breakaway runs in the second half, someone made the effort to run him down from behind. I don't think we would have seen that last year.
It's like running against air... I mean.. linebackers rejected by Dallas
Hmm.. looks like Donte actually played yesterday. Still... had he been in a Saints uniform, he probably would have fumbled.
TD tally: Rookie of the year Colston 7 Stallworth 3
I said last week that running and stopping the run would become more important in the second half of the season. The Saints performed pretty badly at each of these in Game 9. This week brings another angry and talented AFC North team to the Superdome. The first Bengals fan to say "Who Dey" within earshot is getting reported to the usher.
Note: All photos shamelessly stolen from the NOLA.com Saints gallery.
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