Reggie Bush Show Me The Money?
Reggie Bush Show Me The Money?
Reggie Bush, is one of, if not the most hyped players to enter the NFL in the past decade. The noise that followed the former USC Trojan into the Pro’s came with a hefty price tag, in 2006 Bush signed a six year 52.5 million dollar deal. This year of his monster contact Reggie is scheduled to be paid a whopping 8 million dollars. One can buy themselves some nice things with all this cash; an extravagant home, 8 McLaren F1’s, or four of Houston Texan’s RB Steve Slaton’s.
Bush only rushed for 390 yards with 5 rushing TD’s last year, he caught 335 yards with 3 TD’s but even combining those numbers his season was not worth the 7 million dollar price tag. Now at 8 million dollars, and likely a year of similar numbers mean it’s time for a pink slip?
No, I’m here to tell you why.
Bush is integral to the New Orleans Saints, and while not an every down back, he still brings with the ability to take it to the end-zone on any play. You can rest assured that Bush can do better, given the opportunities but I believe the Saints are handling things just perfectly. Reggie touched the ball 117 times this season and scored 8 touchdowns, 14% of the times he had the ball in his hands he scored a touchdown, outstanding. This is what makes Bush so deadly.
Durability is king in the NFL, a league in which the average career spans just above 4 seasons. The Saints have been smart enough to realize that Bush is an investment, an investment that will not and should not play on every down. Simply by doing this, they are securing their investment for years to come like any good business should do. Be prudent and wise with your product. Too many times we have seen shortened RB careers in the NFL because of an organizations disregard for their health.
Furthermore I don’t really believe that 8 million in an uncapped year is a terrible investment in a star player, or a player with this much potential. Think of the jersey sales, fans want either a Brees or a Bush jersey that alone is worth cutting him a little slack. Allowing number 25 to leave the team will set the squad back further than an 8 mill salary hit. Pay the man!
