Don't Bash My Bush

Usually, when we hear things like "Bush Sucks!" or "Bush is a Disappointment", or "Get rid of Bush", the image of that ex-cokehead president who's ruining the world tends to pop into our brains. But low and behold, there's another Bush who's getting whacked by the media and the general public as of late: the Saints very own #25. No, he didn't start a war for no reason, give tax cuts to the rich, or play air guitar while people were drowning after a hurricane. Instead, he's charged with the crime of being one of the most gi-normously overrated first rounders to come into the league since David Carr.
Just take a look at some of the headlines from the last week alone:
"(Adrian) Peterson is No Bush, Which is a Good Thing"
"Saints: The Next 'Mr. Everything' has been 'Mr. Nothing' So Far"
"Former Trojans Tripping Up in NFL."
"Dancing Cockatoo Loves a Boy-Band Beat"
(Actually, there's a slight chance that last one may not have anything to do with Reggie...)

In light of all the bad press, we decided to open up Reggie's stat book for ourselves to see just what all the trash talk is about. So far, Bush is averaging 3.5 yards a carry, has a total of 244 rushing yards on 69 carries, and 2 touchdowns. He's got 166 receiving yards, and he's fumbled 3 times (two of which were recovered.)
Okay, so not exactly MVP Numbers. But do the numbers really tell the whole story about Reggie's impact with the Saints and his potential for greatness? Take for example someone like Shaun Alexander, who at the same point of the season in his sophomore year had run for 345 yards, racked up only 24 receiving yards, and scored two touchdowns. In week nine of that same season, Alexander rushed for a franchise record 266 yards on 35 carries. By season's end, he led the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 14 and was tied for second overall with Terrell Owens.
Sure Alexander was showing more signs of life than Reggie during the earlier part of that season, but he was also doing it with the help of a tougher offensive line. The Seahawks 2001 offensive line ranked 16th in the league that season. The Saints line is currently ranked 29th. That's like (counting aloud and using my fingers) 1, 2,3...I don't know, like a bunch of spots different.
Reggie's tendency to dance toward the sideline has likely done little to help his stats (and done lots to make me swear at a glass breaking volume at the TV.) But you gotta admit, he's showing signs of progress. The Offensive coaches have started directing his plays up the middle, running him on north-south routes, and helping him find his comfort zone as an inside back. This strategy, along with some solid offensive line play) helped Reggie gain 97 yards in last week's game against Seattle, averaging 5 yards a carry.
Something else no one seems to be bringing up is that the Saints coaching staff has seemed hell bent on using Reggie as one of their primary receivers. This is likely due to the consistent double coverage on Colston and the consistent suckyness of Devery "Don't Call Me Butterfingers" Henderson. Now that WR Lance Moore and TE Eric Johnson are stepping up as solid go-to-guys, there's a good chance Reggie will get more opportunities to focus on and improve his running game.

Bottom line: Reggie's got some work to do, we know this. But he's also shown glimpses of the Heisman Trophy winner we came to fear and love at USC. He's not the only Saint struggling this season, the whole offense is off to an utterly "offensive" start. Let's see how he overcomes team adversity this season before permanently filing him in the flop category. And above all, let's acknowledge that his abs are hella ripped and he is freakin' hot. Should that not count for something?
(I figured digging up Seahawks offensive line stats from 2001 should afford me at least 1 girly/groupie comment.)
So not to worry, #25. You'll always be #1 in my book. (Unless of course another one of your fumbles almost costs us the game.) Oh yeah, and drop that Kardashian chick. She's got to be hiding some negative energy in all that ba-donk-a-donk...)