Reggie Bush is not an every-down running back for the Saints.
Question is, can he be an every-Sunday one?
Seldom in his four-year NFL career has the former USC star strung together highly productive performances in consecutive weeks. And the Saints, who are one win away from their first Super Bowl, would welcome a big game from him.
“I try to be a difference-maker, especially in games like these,” said Bush, whose team plays host to the Vikings on Sunday in the NFC championship game. “These are games when your stars need to show up and make big plays.”
Bush certainly did that last weekend, running with a decisiveness and explosive aggression he rarely has shown since the Saints made him the No. 2 pick in the 2006 draft. He gained 84 yards on five carries in a 45-14 victory over the Cardinals, more than half on a 46-yard touchdown that began with him twisting out of a tackle. He added another score on an 83-yard punt return.
It was a timely display of toughness from a player who has suffered knee injuries each of the past three seasons, setbacks that led to him missing 12 of 49 games since he played all 16 (and two in the playoffs) as a rookie.
“To me, he’s the X-factor” against the Vikings, NBC’s Cris Collinsworth said. “He’s the guy that we just haven’t seen put up that kind of production and that sort of physical running style. That’s the Reggie Bush we’ve all been waiting to see.
“If he can match that kind of production over the next two games, the Saints will be champions.”
By no means are the Saints lost without him. In fact, since 2007, the Saints have more yards and points — and a better winning percentage — playing without Bush than with him. In the 12 games without him, they have averaged 33.3 points and 430.6 yards and are 8-4 (.667). In 37 games with him, they have averaged 26.9 points and 380.1 yards and are 21-16 (.568).
That’s not to suggest that Bush isn’t an asset but that the Saints are so loaded with weapons, taking one player out of the equation only creates opportunity for another to shine in their top-ranked offense.
Bush’s productivity has come under particular scrutiny lately because of his enormous salary. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, his contract’s average of $8.75 million per year and $26.25 million in guaranteed dollars are the highest of any running back. That for a player whose lone 100-yard rushing game came three years ago.
The newspaper has reported his salary-cap figure of $13.5 million next season would be second on the team to that of Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees ($14 million). That has led to speculation the club will be forced to reduce Bush’s pay, trade him or even release him.
“I don’t feel any pressure at all,” Bush said. “When my number’s called, I do what I can. I try to make the most of my opportunities and make plays when I can.”
The Vikings are all too familiar with the damage Bush can do. In a Monday night game at the Superdome last season, he ran back two punts for touchdowns and probably would have scored a third had he not slipped. Somehow, the Vikings escaped with a 30-27 victory, although coach Brad Childress was irate afterward. He had instructed punter Chris Kluwe to angle his kicks out of bounds.
“We will go back and revisit our last trip … and probably have a little sit-down about that to see if either one of us has evolved in our processes in communicating that,” Childress said.
It’s clear Bush is at his best in open space, where he can use his speed to pull away from defenders. That speed disparity was stark in college, when he would leave tacklers hugging air.
Former Trojans center Ryan Kalil, who plays for the Panthers, said some hold Bush to superhuman standards but that Bush never had unrealistic expectations.
“I’ll hear guys in our locker room talking about him, maybe they made a good tackle on him,” Kalil said. “And about two or three other guys will say, ‘Yeah, but he shook me.'”
Sunday, Bush has another chance to remind the Saints that, while tacklers might miss on him, the franchise did not.
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SAM FARMER’S PICK
Vikings at Saints
Line: Saints by 3 1/2 Over/under: 53
Vikings are coming into the game with injury question marks and a 4-4 road record. They haven’t won on the road since Brett Favre beat the Packers on Nov. 1. The Superdome crowd noise will be a factor, not to mention the Saints’ top-ranked offense. It should be a shootout.
SAINTS 30, VIKINGS 27
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sfarmer@tribune.com
