I actually had nothing to write for today.
Then I had the good fortune of hopping into my car on my way to pick up my take-out order from Bangkok Thai - the best Thai food within the city limits - and listening to Kristian Garic talk about the Saints while taking listener phone calls on WWL. The caller on the line at the time was actually a Vikings fan and just before I got out of my car to run into the restaurant, the guy claimed that Reggie Bush would have a USC-type season next year and that Bush was the Saints' superstar.
Now, I know the readers of Canal Street Chronicles tend to be of the more educated variety of Saints fan so I don't think many of you reading this right now would agree with the caller but I do think there are some football fans out there - Saints or otherwise - who still think Reggie is going to 'break out.' Well I have one thing to say to you: Give it the #&$^ up!
It's not going to happen. Reggie's USC days are long gone and his knees probably aren't far behind. The NFL is a different stage and the two aren't comparable. So stop comparing them! After four years, I think it's safe to say he will never perform at that same level. Bush had more yards, longer runs and less fumbles in two years at USC than he's had in twice the amount of time in the NFL. Does he have his magical moments? Absolutely. But to have a season even remotely similar to the ones he put together in college requires consistency (of which he's not capable) an offense focused solely on him (one which the Saints don't run) and the ability to stay healthy (which he can't seem to do). There is a reason why everyone, including Reggie, expects him to restructure his contract for less money.
As far as the superstar comment: Reggie is a superstar only in the same right that Paris Hilton is famous. It's more about marketing than it is performance.
Honestly, I can't believe I'm still writing about this topic. I can't believe we're still having this conversation. It's like 2007, 2008 and 2009 just won't end. This entire post feels redundant and trite. But I will not, as a Saints fan with a platform, go another off-season listening to people say this will finally be Reggie's year. Because it will not and those people have no evidence whatsoever to back up such a ludicrous claim. I won't allow it this summer so please make it stop.
I'm sure this is going to stir up a $#!& storm - though it really shouldn't at this point - so before anyone starts throwing out the 'But Reggie's value is as a decoy' argument, please note that I'm not talking about his value. I'm simply talking about his straight-up ability as a running back in the NFL. I'm talking about cold, hard stats and what he's able to produce. He's been serviceable and I truly enjoy having him as a weapon in Black & Gold. But if you're still expecting the USC Reggie, you'll be waiting a long time. As much as we want, he's not going to magically start looking like Marshawn Lynch against a pathetic Saints defense! Just to be clear, this isn't about hatin' on Reggie. It's about those fans that still carry around delusions of grandeur, expecting some switch to all-of-a-sudden flip. Welcome to reality!
As far as I'm concerned, this past season has sealed the deal when it comes to my feelings regarding Reggie. I like him. I want him. But there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love him.