Reggie Bush and Saints thrived after his departure

    Admit it. Two years ago, when the Saints said goodbye to running back Reggie Bush, you were glad.
    You said, “Thanks for the memories, Reggie. But since you can’t stay healthy and are not an every-down back, it’s time for you to move on.”
    Many in the media thought that once Bush got down to Miami and away from Saints head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees, his NFL stock would plummet.
    Two years later, Reggie not only survived but thrived. Bush was one of the top targets of the Detroit Lions in free agency.
    Before this year’s free-agent period began, the recruiting of Bush by Lions’ players was already underway. During a guest appearance on the NFL Network, Bush got the full-court press from wide receiver Nate Burleson.
    “Reggie, you already took your talents to South Beach,” said Burleson. “Come on to Detroit. I know it’s not as sunny, and it might not be the same glitz and glamour, but you can do wonders for us.”
    The Lions, who signed Reggie, hope Burleson is correct. In Miami, Reggie not only rid himself of Kim Kardashian, but he also rid himself of labels.
    One label was that Bush could not stay healthy. In Miami, Bush played 31 of 32 games. He also proved, without a doubt, that he is an every-down back.
    In 2011, Reggie rushed for 1,086 yards, an average of 5.0 yards a carry. Reggie’s rushing total was 11th in the NFL. But per-carry average was better than any runner in the Top 10 – better even than Adrian Peterson, Maurice-Jones Drew, Ray Rice and Michael Turner. In 2012, Bush ran for 986 yards, a 4.3-yard average.
    In two seasons, playing on a team with instability at quarterback and no other big-play talent, Reggie ran for 2,072 yards.
    When the Saints traded Bush, not every New Orleanian shared the opinion that Reggie would never be a No. 1 tailback on an NFL team. Carver High School’s Marshall Faulk, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said this when the trade was made.
    “I don’t think you make this trade to bring in a complementary player,” Faulk said.
    “You want him on the field on every down,” said former Saint Heath Evans. “He’s a mismatch nightmare. Nobody in the league can create the type of distraction and disruption to defenses that he does, down in and down out.”
    When the Saints and Bush parted ways, it was good for both. The Saints signed Darren Sproles.
    Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].