Reggie's Out and I'm Happy!

by asaint on Oct 19, 2008 9:59 PM CDT Comment 20 comments

I know it's a horrible thing to say, but hey, I got your attention, so hear me out...First off, I'm by no means happy to see anybody injured, let alone Reggie. We all know how important he is for the offense. But I am going to welcome a new game plan with OPEN arms.

Now Sean Payton can't possibly find a way to hand Reggie the ball in the backfield. I understand why it needs to be done, I hear ya "You gotta keep 'em honest." guy. But the fact of the matter is...Reggie does not hit the line of scrimmage fast enough. The worst part is that he can do just that, run to the line of scrimmage, faster than just about anybody. Use the talent you have damnit! JUST RUN and you'd probably hit more homeruns anyway! I'd love to see the YPC when handed the football, and reverses don't count, stat padders. Reggie's dancing in the backfield usually results in a very minimal gain, if not a loss. Naturally setting us up with third and long. Luckily, Drew is there to bail us out most of them time.

But now we will be seeing more Duece, and Duece equals consistency, consistency equals rhythm. While Reggie is out Payton will be forced to have a new gameplean. I believe he is intelligent enough to properly use Duece with no Reggie. And even if he goes back to giving Reggie that many touches a game, he's at lest going to see that he can get more out of the running game with Duece, and give him more touches even when Reggie is in. It's not that I want to see Reggie get less touches, it's just that I think that's why our running game is lacking. I mean, please give Reggie the ball, just don't give up our running game because of it.

Poll

At least a little happy? C'Mon....who's with me?

Put me on the happy bus!

9 votes

Take your bus ticket and shove it!

5 votes

Sorry, I have alternative travel plans.

2 votes

16 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

2 recs | Comment 20 comments

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Comments

I vote happy bus

For this reason: It’ll force Payton to run an offense without Bush. Let’s see that running game with Deuce, Pierre, and yes, Stecker. Because you KNOW if they establish the run (hey, Dad), they will then abandon it and start throwing. But let’s see it established first.

by stujo4 on Oct 19, 2008 10:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't wait

to see more of the bush-less offense we saw today in the second half.

by SaintBevo on Oct 19, 2008 11:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I hear ya "bush-less offense blew in the 2nd half" guy

But I think that if Payton game plans for no Reggie, with a healthy Duece (which he has never had before) things will be alright, and a lot of good may come.

by asaint on Oct 20, 2008 6:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're dreaming

Reggie is about the only explosive player we have on offense (maybe henderson, but he touches it about 3 times a game). We can win without Reggie, but our margin for error on offense is zero. Look for lots of bump and run, daring our WRs to beat people deep, no respect for running game or anybody in the backfield. Brees will gave to dink and dunk and be perfect, which he can do, but we’ll be able to afford no mistakes.

by SaintBevo on Oct 20, 2008 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Disagree

Reggie is the MOST explosive player, and by far the BEST explosive, but Henderson and Meachem can burn. The beautiful thing is that we will have more of a margin for error without his botched attempts at running the football between the tackles. It’s the difference between 2nd and 9 and 2nd and 4. I think that alone will help us out more than anyone is anticipating.

by asaint on Oct 20, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm cautiously optimistic

Let’s be honest, since ‘06 Payton has not utilized the Duece/Reggie tandem correctly. Last season it was obvious Deuce was not in Payton’s game, hence Reggie was the starter at tailback from day one. Deuce was the afterthought. When Deuce got hurt I thought well let us see what Reggie can do without Deuce (since Payton was not giving him the ball anyway). Reggie’s at his best catching the ball, and occasionally running, not as a true tailback. Fast forward to this year. Deuce was the afterthought again as Payton continued the “Reggie as your everydone back experiment”. Payton’s greatest success came with Deuce having around 15+ carries per game and Reggie having 15+ “touches” per game. It all goes back to Payton’s NFC championship debacle – he loves to “showcase” his passing game and make Reggie/Drew the face of his offense.
Deuce’s 4+ yards per carry are not “flashy” enough for him. Deuce to me would give an offense more rythm. Deuce’s carries have a flow – 4 yds 3 yds, 5 yds, 4 yds. Reggie is no gain, lost yards, no gain, breaks one for 10. 2nd and short gives Brees and Payton more options than 2nd and 10, then you have to pass. That is why Deuce avg. 4+ yards per carry over his career (including this year he is avg over 4 again). Reggie is 3+ yards per carry over his career. Last thought, I love both of these guys, the play their guts out, but Payton has forgotten that the Saints were at their best when he used them for different roles where they complemented each other instead of competing against each other as tailbacks.

by Ditka'sGhost on Oct 20, 2008 11:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You guys dont know what you're talking about----and im disgusted

The Saints have played better this year than any other, their offensive numbers are tops in the league, if it wasn’t for 3 barely missed fg attempts, Saints would be 6-0. Brees and Bush have been dynamic. The reason Brees can do so many things on offense is because of Reggie Bush. Every defense they play has one goal, “Stop Reggie”, make other players beat us. He is called the “Magnet” for a reason, if you watch defensive game film, defenders all gravitate to him even when he doesn’t have the ball. When Deuce is back there, they drop back into coverage. My brother in law is on the 49ers defense, he told me this. That NFL players have a high ego, and when they saw Bush coming into the league, they all said to themselves, “I will not let him embarrass me.” A poll was done among NFL players as to vote for their favorite player to have on their own team, B.Westbrook, L.Tomlinson, and #3 was Reggie Bush. You guys don’t understand how much defensive coordinators key in on him. How important of a factor he is on plays where he doesn’t even touch the ball. His presence on the field opens up so many things for the offense. So now without him on offense, the Saints will have a very small margin of error. They can’t simply outscore opponents, their defense will have to step up, and make some plays, some Pick 6’s and cause more turnovers. The offense will need WR to step up and make plays.

Reggie Bush is the only play maker on the Saints, he is the only one that can make something out of nothing, can break it at any time. But for saints to be successful now, they must have others “make plays”. Not just catch the ball, but make some plays. L. Moore and D.Henderson have that ability with their speed. But no one else, im a die hard Saints fan, and i know they next few weeks wont be fun, unless we have a perfect offensive game plan, and the defense is making big plays, and Drew being even better than he has been. So when Reggie does come back, it can make us a playoff team and super bowl contender.

NFL is really pissed that Bush vs Tomlinson won’t happen, that was thier marketing strategy, i guess Drew vs Philip is good also.

Reggie, get better quick please.

by MisterFootball on Oct 20, 2008 3:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

not know?

yes D’s key on him

When you had them BOTH in the backfield … things magical happened.

Coach P using Bush not Deuce is stupid.
Yah it opens up passing yards but running is so freaking important and NOONE respects our run. PERIOD.

As for playing well this year they are freaking YOYOs . the Minn and Carolina game they STUNK up the joint. I was ashamed of them. It looked like they played TO LOSE.

by MT_always on Oct 20, 2008 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmm...

As “Reggie’s Cousin” (lol) I have to say that the truth is, he does add soo much to the offense that its incredible. But (a big pregnant but) Payton does need to learn to adjust. I think Colston and Shocky coming back will open that up, so defenses can respect people besides Reggie. So I agree with MisterFootball and SaintsNational, we need to diversify. Because the fact is, Reggies running game is suspect due a lot to the fact that he’s keyed on. You same guys that are mad at his 3.6ypc just stated the very reason why it is 3.6. We overuse the guy and defenses are constantly waiting. I don’t see coverages moving back with Reggie in the backfield, so lets make them pay. Send PT or Deuce. Get Colston back in sync with Brees and lets see it roll.

by TAYDIGGA on Oct 20, 2008 4:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

"The Saints have played better this year than any other"

The Saints are 3-4, in last place in the division, and further from a wild card spot

by Philinwood on Oct 20, 2008 6:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

"Reggies running game is suspect due a lot to the fact that he’s keyed on"

Why does Brian Westbrook do so well when clearly every team keys on him. The saints have three times as many offensive threats than the Eagles. Why does Frank Gore get tons of yardage playing for a marginal team with very few good threats. Teams key on him. And, how about Adrian Peterson- think anyone keys on him? And then there is Miami’s Ronnie Brown averaging 4.3 ypc and 7 TDs, I wonder why he does so well- defenses have no one else on Miami to key on but him

Reggie is into this thing 3 years and he is what he is- a superstar but not an every-down back who can carry the rushing load against good teams. There has to be someone on every team that can do that when needed and we need that now ( and for the last 7 games).

by Philinwood on Oct 20, 2008 6:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

lol...

well…
Philinwood, I’ll say that we just agree to disagree on my boy. I just don’t want him coming back too soon. I’m sure he’s overly optimistic about returning and I hope Sean doesn’t let him play too soon.

by TAYDIGGA on Oct 20, 2008 6:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We'll see

Count me VERY pessimistic about things with Reggie out. I’d love for us to go on a run, rediscover our inner big ugly and get back in the playoff race, I just don’t see it.

And let me say one thing – Reggie is an every down back, as in he needs to be on the field for every play, not as in plunge him into the line on every play.

by SaintBevo on Oct 20, 2008 6:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

We need to hear that. he’s changing what it means to be a runningback. The NFL is evolving. Positons are evolving from QB to Cornerback. Michael Vick, (save me the dog crap—lets stick to football) is a prime example. Sure, he could’ve learned to throw the ball better and he probably would’ve, but defenses had to worry about more than whether or not guys were open…

by TAYDIGGA on Oct 20, 2008 7:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Every down player...not neccessarily an every down back

I really would just like to see him get less touches running in between the tackles. Line him up just out side the tightend, let Drew and Reggie read what the defense does. If the give him a CB, through a screen, if they put a LB on him, go deep. My point is there a million and three ways to get him the ball.

And Payton’s “offensive genius” can’t figure out what to do without him??? Give the ball to Duece!!! I’m sorry your life dreams of being the mastermind behind a better looking, more talented, and really just a cooler guy as he breaks an NFL record aren’t coming true tonight. Put that shit on pause, and realize that an unbelievably classy beast that can still move the pile. I can not wait for Payton to actually gameplan with no Reggie. Honestly, he’s evidently a pretty smart guy. I really believe that if he takes time to analyze the running game, he’d come up with something. And then he’s going to have the film to watch, I really think that will speak for itself, I really hope it does.

by asaint on Oct 20, 2008 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Coach Payton, heed these words:

Put that shit on pause

by stujo4 on Oct 20, 2008 9:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hummm

So do you blame the bank tellers at WaMu or IndyMac ?(failed banks here in Cali) To even think about blaming Reggie is outlandish and unfocused fan thinking. He as an employee is only doing what Payton is asking him to do. The dumb shit is the Payton is using him and not using Deuce. Well now that’s all about to change. But if you remember, Deuce got hurt on a slant to the left which Reggie should have been running. Payton is a rouge coach and needs a real “football guy” as a GM to reel his ass in. He’s the type of guy that would do well with a Jerry Jones on the sideline for every game getting in his ear.

by BigTMill on Oct 22, 2008 3:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You're saying Mickey Loomis is not a badass???

I think they, PayLoo, are pretty close and have an understanding. And common goals. Which is good, but there is no check and balance as you described. So yes, I agree.

by stujo4 on Oct 22, 2008 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only thing I blamed on Reggie was...

dancing in the backfield when he could just run forward and get some yards. This really wasn’t to ride Reggie at all, it was much more to point out that a new game plan could do us some good.

by asaint on Oct 22, 2008 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah when I get this startup going...

and it blows the heck up and I make billions. I’m going to buy a team and run it somewhat like Jerry Jones runs it. With a little more cool of course, I won’t be owner/coach but I’ll definitely know what’s going on more than the average owner and stick my head in situations just to make sure the coach isn’t ruining my paper. OH and don’t worry, as much as I love the saints and the Los Angeles Saints would be nice, I’d rather own a NBA team, although I think football may be a little bit more lucrative. (I’m totally kidding myself—I’ll never do anything in life!!!)

by TAYDIGGA on Oct 22, 2008 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs