SB Nation User Blog: TAYDIGGA

Saints Marching into Miami on High Horses?

TAYDIGGA — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:30:21 -0000

I've been wrong so far but someone is going to give us some trouble. I'm really interested in seeing how we handle this Wildcat crap! I think Porter has got it a lil' twisted. Brees and Bush aren't the only problems he's gonna have. Our line is top notch buddy! Although he's right, the Buffalo game was kinda close for a while. But I'd like to see the numbers on Miami's defense right now.

Reggie may not be here next year Part 2.

TAYDIGGA — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:35:00 -0000

Another post from a Reggie apologist...

I was on another site today and read something about Bush from someone and he put into words everything that’s been bothering me about the Reggie situation. I’m going to pepper this post with regurgitations of what I read.

We’re 4-0 that’s all that matters right? Who cares who does it? Thomas, Bell or Bush. I care! And I think Payton is screwing Bush over! He got 9 touches last game! So he fumbled. That’s a Coaches problem. Tiki Barber had that problem and it was coached away. Tony Dorsett had that problem too, no biggy. You don’t take your star player off the field after he fumbles. It ruins his confidence and it ruins his psyche. Coach that out of him!!! He gave him 3 touches in the second half. (I got these ideas from elsewhere so I’m kinda biting the ideas). John Wooden said something (my boss is homies with him and gives me his books and crap—I hate UCLA) that was very important. He said you can’t treat every player the same on a team and he gave an anecdote of what he would do or what he did different with one of his star players versus his normal contributors when they made the same mistake in the game. And his reasoning was because you have to feed the hunger in the star or you’ll lose him. It’s a mental thing. (I paraphrasing but you get my drift). Reggie is a star, is he above the team? No. But you can’t take him out of the game because he makes a mistake. You put him back in there until he gets it. Against Buffalo Bush was killing it in the first half, then PT is put in when the D is tired and of course he kills it. Bush could’ve done that. “But he can’t run between the tackles” like I heard it said, is just a faddish thing. You hear it once and you repeat it. I’ve seen the kid do it. Go google Reggie vs. Giants or Seattle or San Francisco… Payton needs to give his star the ball more consistently if he wants to see him produce.

Yeah I know Reggie is getting touches in Punt returns and receiving but you’re paying him $53 million for running the ball too. His USC highlights are mostly from runs. And why so sporadically.

Fans?

I’ve never seen more fair-weather fans in my life. Red Cheese is hailed one week and the next week he’s hated. Stick with a player for a second; not doing so is how you run someone out of town. Don’t get me wrong, Bush definitely has some room to grow, but he’s the best athlete on the team and you want to boo him like he took steroids or something… It’s coaching in my opinion. Best athlete on the team and you don’t even run plays for him consistently? And where’s the draws, the delays, where’s an actual route taking him past 10 yards from scrimmage? Mark my words people; unless Payton is doing this to preserve him for later in the season, then this isn’t going to sit right, if he has any sense he’s got to preserve his career before it’s too late. I’m telling you, maybe at a lesser price but another team will pick him up and he’s only 24 he can get a good contract after a year of living up to the hype even with the short shelf life of RB’s.

Hefty Salary for complimentary player...

TAYDIGGA — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:24:04 -0000

Is Reggie even really needed in New Orleans?

After seeing Sunday's game and the games we've played so far. I really don't know if Bush will be a Saint next year. Seriously! I know how the NFL works. Is the dude the most dynamic player in the game? Yes! Is he young still and makes some bonehead decisions? Sure. We gotta take the positive with the negative. But dude is earning a hefty paycheck. Hefty!!! And I don't know about yall but I think Papa Smurf aka Loomis might not be having that. Sure he can rearrange it and blah blah blah, but I know Reg and he can't be feeling this complimentary player stuff. I know he wants the team to win and he's a team player but he also knows that his skill -set only last for so long and in 3 or 4 years he can be running slower and no longer commanding what he gets now. Now, I'm a little ahead of myself seeing that I know Payton may just be being precautious in order to keep the dude healthy until later in the season. And it's only been 3 games... But honestly, people already have been saying it and maybe the Saints organization might be thinking, "Shoot Bell and Thomas can do this, what do we need Reggie for?" I'm just saying. Sure he commands attention and all that jazz but that's a big paycheck to disperse for a complimentary player...Let me know what you guys are thinking...

Breakout Game for Bush versus Buffalo?

TAYDIGGA — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:20:11 -0000

Next game will be the game for Reggie...

Here's what I noticed about the last game (since they showed it here in LA and I DVR'd it). Yes, the dude stutter's a little behind the guard while waiting for a block. Sometimes he'll just run and fall forward for a yard or two, other times he bounces it outside. It really isn't that different from what I'm seeing with other guys. It just looks worse because of the complex we've developed with the guy. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean Bush, Bell and Thomas run the same. Bell in fact hits the whole most aggressively if you ask me. I'm just saying sometimes when there's actually no place to go, he stutters a little while waiting.

There were plays where Bell got just a yard or two but it looks bad for Reggie because he's a dancer and sometimes he tries to get something on the edge. If he was able to get a few carries in a drive I think he could do what he did on the touchdown run, but since the carries are sporadic, he gets nothing. And he feeds the "he can't run" crowd. Also when they were in the endzone, they put their whole defense in there and Reggie still managed to not get a safety. So I won't blame him for that. I'll admit the stutter is his way of just waiting, while other backs just keep high-stepping it until they're either tackled or see a hole.

But here's the nut of what I want to say: This next game, if Payton isn't too scared to give him the carries, will be very telling about what Reggie can do running the ball. Thomas isn't gong to get that many carries and Bell is out. Reggie is going to get around 12-15 carries. I can almost guarantee, if he does, he'll have his first 4+ypc game with at least 75 yards rushing maybe even his first 100 yard running game in what 2 years?. Payton will realize that he's like most runners and just needs the groove. Payton has to be smart about it though. Buffalo is going to focus more on Reggie this time around with the other backs being hurt and all. And the line needs to be aggressive, but take video on this game guys and we'll discuss it after. But I got a feeling dude is going to surprise people this next game.

I can't watch every game live but at least I can see every game

TAYDIGGA — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:41:49 -0000

I don't have ticket so this means a lot to me. I'm trying to decide if I should watch just the Saints or get full access, prob get full access to see them Niners play too. Hopefully this is what some of you that are in my position will be able to do. I mean I like the live peer to peer websites and all, and they're better than nothing, but this is in HD. I don't know when they'll be available but I look forward to using this to analyze games.

Watch Mad Games!!! If you don't have ticket...

Fight, Dashes and Hot Weather!

TAYDIGGA — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:47:11 -0000

Nice read about Saints 2nd practice with Texans...

You knew a fight was bound to break out. Yestersdays article mentioned who cordial everything was, lol, knew that wouldn't last long. Good to hear Brees is back on field. Reggie has been admitting he needs to quit dancing and it looks like he's trying to remedy that. Even PT said, "Reggie is actually hitting the holes a lot harder than he used to, and that's a big improvement by him". Hope I can catch the next preseason game some how some way. Geaux Saints!

Prelude to Something Special?

TAYDIGGA — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:53:40 -0000

Payton discusses Bush, Shockey and what he's liking in camp...

I'm liking what I'm hearing in camp this year. More than last year or any year thus far. I was a little scared about Reggie's knee and hope they don't over do it. But if they actually run him during late practice then maybe Payton is serious about not being worried. Shockey looks to be good, I'm of those to believe the dude is gonna be amazing for us. Defense sounds like it's improved. Still wish they'd quit lowballing Jenkins and get him out there. Anyhow, I can't wait till the season starts!!!

Maybe Bush's time finally has come

TAYDIGGA — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:49:28 -0000

Comparing Pistol Pete to Reggie

Let it all come together and let Bush be Bush. Maybe then Bush can avoid the same fate as Maravich. Maybe Bush isn't too late or too early. Maybe Bush has arrived at just the right time to redefine the game. -Pete Yasinkas ESPN

To those who are a little overly-logical, comparing a basketball player to a football player may not make sense. But to those of us who understand sports and the competitve drive that each player has, no matter what the sport, and how that alone can link any two players from any sport--then this piece may interest you. Let me know what you think.

Urlacher knows what's up...

TAYDIGGA — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:36:25 -0000

Despite taunt, Brian Urlacher a fan of

New Orleans Saints' Reggie Bush

Bears' Urlacher praises Saints' 'dynamic' talent

By Vaughn McClure |Tribune reporter10:37 PM CST, December 10, 2008

Bears fans figure Brian Urlacher has every right to pummel Reggie Bush on Thursday night after what happened the last time Bush visited Soldier Field.

During the 2006 NFC championship game, the Saints running back ticked off all of Chicago when he pointed at Urlacher before doing a flip into the end zone to celebrate an 88-yard touchdown reception off a screen pass.

Urlacher certainly remembers—the final score, that is.

"I think we won that game, right? Honestly, to me, that other stuff was so blown out of proportion," Urlacher said. "I don't think Reggie directed that toward me.

"I don't even think about it until somebody brings it up. He was excited about his play and turned around and pointed, I guess. And I was the guy right there. He's lucky I didn't catch him. If I was running at full speed, I would have."

Urlacher used the words "respectable" and "well-spoken" to describe Bush, referring to their off-season encounters at various celebrity events. He has equally as much respect for Bush, the player.

"He's one of the most explosive players in the NFL," Urlacher said. "Any time he's in the game, it changes the way you have to approach their offense because he's so dynamic."

Defensive end Adewale Ogunleye recalled the Bush taunt but didn't make a big deal about it, either.

"I haven't talked to him about it since then," he said. "I said what I had to say that day, got over it. We won the game and, hopefully, he has learned his lesson."

Bush returned to the lineup Nov. 30 after missing five games with a knee injury. The Saints still racked up yards without him and enter Thursday night's game with the league's top-rated offense.

The addition of Bush, however, simply gives quarterback Drew Brees another weapon.

"Brees is the MVP of the league right now, in my mind," Urlacher said. "He has had a great season. He makes everything go for them.

"Obviously, when they run the ball, he's even better. But he's just a great quarterback, period."

Coach Lovie Smith said earlier in the week that the Saints get off the bus passing the ball, not running it. Regardless, Urlacher said the emphasis remains on stopping the run. Bush and Illinois product Pierre Thomas give the Saints a solid one-two punch. And veteran Deuce McAllister is always available for short-yardage situations.

"No, we can't focus on stopping the pass because we tried that against Green Bay, and they [ran all over] us," Urlacher said. "They handed it off every time they saw Cover-2. And they gashed us.

"[New Orleans] is not going to throw it every single down. So we have to stop them when they try to run it, put them in some second-and-long, third-and-long situations where we have a chance to get some pressure on them."

New Orleans ran for a season-best 184 yards Sunday against Atlanta. Last season against the Bears, Thomas made his first career start with Bush sidelined with a knee injury and ran for 105 yards. He also caught 12 passes for 121 yards.

"But he didn't hurt us that badly because we still won the game (33-25)," Urlacher said. "I'm not saying he's not a good running back. He catches the ball well. He runs it well. But we've been pretty sound against the run all season.

"We'll just get in our gaps and get up the field like we've done all season … and, hopefully, tackle better than we have the last couple of games."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-11-bears-chicagodec11,0,3766881.story

In defense of Bush

TAYDIGGA — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:45:41 -0000

My defense of Bush

Here’s my defense of Reggie Bush and why I think he is better than people are giving him credit for. There are a few things I want to address here so gird yourself for a long read.

Carries

Bush is averaging around 11 carries a game. Hardly enough for a "feature back" to get in a groove or do anything consistently. Some of you may say PT is getting less than that and doing fine. We will discuss that later. But lets look at the games where Bush was doing his thing and averaged above 4 yards per carry.

Denver

18 carries 73 yards 4.1ypc

That’s 8 carries over his average but guess what 11 of those came in the first half. That’s already his season average. That’s about what the usual "feature back" gets for a first half.

Carolina

9 carries 55 yards 6.1ypc

We all know Bush went out early in the third quarter didn’t see a snap, so this was in the first half. Again this is what the prototypical star back does in a game usually. And as I looked at the play by play he was allowed to get into a rhythm.

But now lets look at two of his "abysmal" games, not counting the last one unless you’re just a Bush hater and don’t want to give him the benefit of the doubt considering he really didn’t play much second half and was coming back from an injury.

Oakland

14 carries 27 yards 1.9ypc

The first half alone he gets 9 carries and only gets 20 yards. Weak!!! But in the second half he gets only 7 yards off of 5 carries. We stopped running the ball and we killed the Raiders. Sure he didn’t do too good but here’s the thing. During so many games I’ll be watching and looking at the ticker and see "A. Peterson 10 carries 33 yards". By the end of the third quarter what do I see. 21 carries for 103 yards. Which told me they kept running him and he finally broke for a big one. But before I transition lets look at another game. Let’s go to the first game.

Tampa Bay

Bush gets 7 carries in first half for 8 yards. PT gets a few carries and does great with what he gets. However, I looked at some video and I couldn’t tell who (cause I’m at work and the video quality isn’t that great) but noticed on the play in the third quarter when Devery Henderson caught the deep ball on a play action, a safety came in when Bush was in the backfield. On the screen pass that Bush scored on the free safety was spying on him and if it weren’t for a great block would have had him. Noticed this on a few plays. This didn’t happen with Pierre. Which leads me to my next point…

Defenses Plan for Bush

Check this quote out:

Coach Mike Nolan said this morning that his defense will have to play a game of "Where’s Reggie?" before every snap.

"I think it’s important right now to find out where he is on every play," Nolan said. "What we treat him as is kind of irrelevant.

"Everybody has to know where he is at all times because he does line up in the backfield, he lines up strong side, weak side and he’s very active in the offense."

(http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2008/09/24/49ers-plan-to-keep-a-lookout-for-reggie-bush/)

Treat this quote as an anecdote for what every coach is planning for #25 every game. Are coaches just ignoring whoever else is back there? No, but we have to remember Bush is probably the most highly touted college player ever. Those USC highlights are in coaches and players minds. And he’s shown some explosiveness in the NFL. So PT, Deuce, or Stecker aren’t going to get that type of attention. So when PT is in there to spell of course he’s going to get 7 yards when we pass all the time and the guy who was shadowing Bush can relax—a little of course. If you have safeties spying you all game and your offensive line isn’t the greatest what can you expect? Look at what we did to Adrian Peterson. We put 8 in a box, which happens to Reggie a lot, and we stopped him. But he has a superior line and now with a better quarterback, he’s still killing teams. Anybody see what happened to Davidson when Loyola literally double-teamed Stephen Curry all game last week? He didn’t do squat. But his teammates did and they still won. This is Reggie Bush’s dilemma. They didn’t double-team anyone else and two guards off the bench both scored double figures as they routed Loyola by 30 points. I see Pierre as those guys off the bench.

Reggie vs. Pierre

So the backup running back is averaging more yards per carry than the star huh? The Saints were 3-1 in games with him and without Bush. So he must be a better back. Well, not so fast. He’s been doing great against teams like Green Bay and Kansas City. But what are those teams’ stats like against the run? Uh huh. The whole 3-1 without Bush stat is a mirage. People don’t look at the games where Bush kept us in it against far better teams. And even won it for us against Tampa. Or at who we’ve played in those games (weak teams we’re supposed to beat) versus the teams we’ve almost beat with him. But Thomas should be starting? What about last game? He didn’t get the ball enough huh? Yeah sure, every time I use the not enough carries to get a rhythm excuse for Bush people overlook it or knock it. But it’s legitimate. I aint knocking Pierre. I think he’s solid. But when he finally gets the bulk of the carries against a solid team, that’s not putting 8 in the box or spying him, he gets 11 carries for 33 yards. He had a reception for 20 yards that brought a TD. A very Bush-like game to me. But we give him a pass for some reason. Must be the rose-colored glasses some of us choose to look at him through Which leads me to my final reason for why Bush isn’t living up to the hype, so to speak.

Pass Happy Coach

Payton passes way too much. But of course how do you think Brees is doing this with these stellar receivers. Wouldn’t defenses be ready for it? Well there’s a little distraction in the backfield. Call him a decoy, a bust or a star. Coaches call him dangerous and plan for him as such. Screw what fans say. Coaches take Bush serious and when that happens with a coach like Payton. Pass, Pass, Pass. I think he tries to pass to run. Which is unconventional but could work if he did it right. Last game he used a few delays and draws with Thomas that worked and with Payton’s style of offense it usually does. But when he runs he does it in a way that’s so obvious. I think defenses know that in the first quarter maybe even second he’ll attempt to run at the conventional times--first and second down. And so they stack the box or spy Bush who they usually have running out of the I or singleback formation—hence no fullback to block. Later he abandons it till he basically passes out (pun intended). What running back who has things being said, like what Nolan said, is going to excel with an offensive line that is as untrained as the Saints? Not Bush. I don’t care who you put back there, as far as stars go. LT, AP or Michael Turner they would not succeed behind a pass happy coach with a sub par line.

Take away his TD’s and yards and the Saints are in a far worse position than they are now. Trade him and watch him live up to his potential on a team with a far superior line and you better hope it’s not a team in the NFC south, that would really make us sick and as much as it would bother me I’d be happy for him. As redundant as it sounds, we still don’t know what Bush could do. He’s not in a system that uses him just right. How much practice do you think is really devoted to running the ball when we pass as much as we do. Don’t forget the games where Deuce got a bulk of carries and he didn’t get 4 yards per carry. Let’s look at all the factors here, not just our emotions. Sure, I joke about being his apologist but I also watch film and study the Saints. No back is going to excel when as soon as he gets the ball there are two linemen in his grill. Nobody! Who Dat!