Saints Running Game Dependent on Reggie Bush

by Saintsational on Oct 20, 2008 12:00 PM CDT Comment 13 comments

Reggie Bush = entire Saints running game.

Oh no, no, no. That's not what I think. Don't get me wrong. I'm not crazy.

That's what Sean Payton thinks. He's crazy. How else would you explain what he said after the Saints were crushed at the hands of the Panthers.

Payton said the Saints became "one-dimensional" after Bush left the game, which the Panthers won 30-7.

-Times-Pic

Forgive me if I'm wrong but don't we have Deuce McAllister on this team as well? I understand that Reggie factors greatly into the offensive game plan. The screen passes, the pitch outs and the short passes over the middle. Even when he doesn't have the ball he's a threat. But without him the Saints are still left with a proven, veteran back who still has something left in the tank on top of their already incredible aerial attack; all the makings of a normal, balanced offense.

Of course being down by a lot late in the game will cause a team to become one dimensional. But what's the excuse for the very first series of the second half? Why force three straight passes and go 3 and out when your team is only down by 6? That is certainly not panic time. Deuce ran the ball four times for 22 yards and an average of 5.5 ypc in the first half of the game. In fact, the Saints averaged 5.2 yards per carry for the entire game, their best running performance of the year. Even the offensive line was doing a better job run blocking. Why wouldn't you attempt to run the ball?

When key wide receivers like Colston, Shockey and Patten all missed significant time this season did Payton let it affect his play calling? Absolutely not. Backup receivers were given opportunities and stepped up as the Saints just keep on trucking with its usual gameplan just with new faces. But when injury takes out Reggie Bush for the second half the game and the entire rushing attack is shut down until further notice as the team plays out the remaining game forcing passes that haven't been there all day. There is no confidence. No seamless transition. Only abandonment. What are we to take from all of this? Is it safe to assume that Payton doesn't have confidence in any of our other running backs?

It's even more frustrating because we have been in this situation before. Last year we spent all season struggling with the running game until we realized Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas could fill in successfully and a consistent ground attack could actually helps win games. The problem was solved and an effective model was created. Have we not learned from the past? One can only hope. The Saints are actually in a better position this year than last what with the presence of Deuce. We can only pray that this is a blessing in disguise; that Deuce McAllister, Pierre Thomas and Aaron Stecker show Payton what a running game is supposed to look like. We should all be worried however. Until we actually see Payton embrace the teams running game, don't be surprised if Payton's stubbornness gets in the way and delays that realization. It might not happen as quickly as we all know it should.

The truth is that Payton is right: this team is one-dimensional. But this offense didn't get that way only after losing Reggie or losing this game. It has always been one-dimensional since week one and it's because of Payton. Not for lack of talent. One-dimensional not for a lack of effort but a lack of opportunity. It's the reason why the Saints haven't had a 100-yard rushing effort by any of it's running backs this season. They simply aren't even given the chance. Yesterday was just the result of what happens to a one-dimensional team when that dimension gets completely shut down. What I did see today was this teams continued lack of commitment to a running game on the day of its best performance of the season.

Coaches are not infallible. We certainly learned that a little over a week ago after Jim Haslett's confession about Jake Delhomme and Aaron Brooks. NFL head coaches are human like you and I and they are certainly capable of making incorrect decisions on crucial matters. What's done is done of course and it's too late to change Haslett's decision but I fear that the Saints are currently suffering from yet another coaches adamant and hardheaded stubbornness. If it doesn't end quickly I am afraid it will continue to be a waste of the teams resources and time.

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Absolutely Right!!

You should make a giant poster of this post and pass it around in the dome next time they are home!!!

by Philinwood on Oct 20, 2008 12:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

C'mon on Dave

Your stealing my fanpost thunder man. I know your article is well just better, but hey, mine has a poll. HA!

by asaint on Oct 20, 2008 12:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Pierre

Did anyone else notice Payton getting into Pierre towards the end of the game. I don’t know why, did they say on TV?

I think that some running back put Payton in a trashcan when he was a freshman, and can’t let it go. HE HATES running backs. He secretly knows reggie really isn’t a running back, he’s a WR, and that is exactly why he is getting the Running back touches

by asaint on Oct 20, 2008 12:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Right on!!!

When Reggie left the game, the Saints didn’t become one-dimensional, Sean Payton and his play-calling became one-dimensional. I’ve often felt that Payton has blinders on when it comes to Reggie and the running game and, after yesterday, I know it’s true. This game Sunday will let us know if there is something else to him not playing Deuce more other than the “we don’t want to rush back too soon.” I believe Deuce is fully recovered. Just look at the way Deuce is moving the pile after the initial hit. If he had any concerns or misapprehensions regarding the stability of his knees, he would not be subjecting them to such stress like that. Plus, last week when the game was well in hand against the Raiders, why did Payton continue to use Deuce after he sat McKenzie out? Why subject him to more hits if you are legitimately concerned about his long-term health?

It all basically comes down to these points regarding Payton, Deuce, and the running game:

1. Reggie Bush was Payton’s 1st draft pick as a head coach and is without a doubt his personal overly-hyped superstar. He can’t help but stubbornly see Reggie as the no. 1 running option.

2. Deuce is Haslett’s guy and stubborn coaches like to win with the guys they brought to the team. Payton seems just as stubborn and egomaniacal as most.

3. Much like Green Bay with Brett Favre, I don’t think Payton and Loomis felt Deuce could recover enough to be effective this season and planned the year with him pretty much out of the picture.

4. I still don’t know if this is true or not, but the “hold Deuce back so he can’t meet his pay incentives” theory is starting to look somewhat legitimate at times. I hope that’s not the case or else I’ll be forced to root for a different team.

Go Saints!!!!

by satchmo26 on Oct 20, 2008 12:52 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Deuce is Loose

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. What still remains to be seen is whether Payton is willing to give Deuce the ball like he did against Philly in the playoffs, oh, which happens to be our only playoff win under Payton.
…..What else is great is the way Deuce has handled himeself during this whole charade, class act all the way

by Ditka'sGhost on Oct 20, 2008 1:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

at least

I’m not a Cowboy fan.

Faith, all.

by MobileSaint on Oct 20, 2008 1:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

rotoworld.com:

Owner Jerry Jones said Monday that Wade Phillips will “absolutely” finish out the season as Dallas’ head coach.
Frankly, we thought it was ridiculous that the question was raised so early. Would hiring the heir apparent (Jason Garrett) in the middle of the season make sense?

by stujo4 on Oct 20, 2008 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Payton is about to be "outed"

So he thinks the Saints are one-dimensional without Bush? Now maybe he understands how the rest of us felt last year when the Saints became truly one-dimensional without Deuce.

We still have a great quarterback, protected by a pretty good pass-blocking line, throwing to a top-notch and very deep receiver corps, with Deuce, Steck, Pierre, and Karney to run the ball and catch the check-downs and screens. If Payton can’t come up with a winning game plan with those kinds of weapons, we’ll know that he’s a fake and 2006 was a fluke.

It’s beginning to look as though Loomis built a great team and gave it to the wrong man to run. If Payton doesn’t want to lose the fans, he’d better shut up about the terrible handicaps he has to face, and just do his damn job. And I can guarantee this: he’s not only in danger of losing the fans. How can the team have confidence in itself or in him if he throws in the towel whenever Reggie leaves the field?

The more I write about this, the angrier I get. Signing off before I spit.

by MtnExile on Oct 20, 2008 1:57 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I think he needs to open it up...

I think Payton needs to learn how to be a little bit more conservative. He wants to air it out a lil’ too much. I think he’s centered his whole game around Bush, as either a decoy or a threat. I’m not going to bash him just yet—I’m not that type of fan. But, he needs to learn from his mistakes. This should be our first loss. But its not and so we flirt with .500 every week. Do I think the saints will make playoffs? yes. But it’s going to take Payton stepping up his game and doing some self-assessment.

by TAYDIGGA on Oct 20, 2008 4:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is this about money?

I am also starting to think Payton is preventing Deuce from getting contract incentives. I would also like to know how much money the Saints saved by switching punters. If they are trying to save cash to resign Hollis Thomas, then maybe that’s ok. If anyonr knows anything about this cash trail, please let me know.

by Philinwood on Oct 20, 2008 6:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I’ll text Rita….

by stujo4 on Oct 20, 2008 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if thomas gets more playing time...

then we’ll know, but I don’t think Payton’s doing that at all. Doesn’t make sense, Deuce plays and helps us win, more money in the long run for Benson. Unless his logic is really bad.

by TAYDIGGA on Oct 20, 2008 6:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs