Report: Reggie Bush Will Try Now

It looks like the New Orleans Saints and keeper-league fantasy owners will have something to look forward to this season: Reggie Bush will focus on football this year.

This will all come conveniently after a sub-par sophomore season that saw the former second-overall selection get the first crack at carries following the knee injury to teammate Deuce McAllister. Bush didn't respond well to the increased workload, averaging only 3.7 yards per carry over the course of the season.

Yes, he remains a lethal weapon in terms of his pass-catching abilities, but those that thought his game would translate flawlessly to the next level have been met with quite a wall. The final four games of the 2007 season were played sans-Bush, and all of the media blitz turned to his "relationship" with Kim Kardashian along with the possibility that the running back received some special treatment at the University of Southern California. When books titled Tarnished Heisman hit the shelves, it's never going to cast a great light.

But while the lawsuit is pending, Bush claims that this season will be greeted with more focus.

"That's what I feel like and that's why I'm taking a whole different approach this year in just how I go about my business and my life," Bush said. "As football goes and in very aspect of my life I'm just trying to cut everything down. Cut a lot of stuff out. Cut a lot of people out, and just focus on football."

On the 205th tips us off on the fact that Bush's new-found focus may not be starting off on the right foot. But when you sit courtside, where the limelight shines bright, "focus" may be one of the last things on one's mind.

Bush vows to focus on football [Sun Herald]
Uh oh... Woman Confronts Reggie Bush [On The 205th]

What's the Market For 12 Years of Concussions?

Trent Green may want to pay attention to this one, as it appears that (former?) Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas is looking for a long-term contract to reward his 12 years of hard work in the NFL.

And when you're an aging linebacker in search of a deal, where better to look than New England? A graduated Junior Seau found home on the East Coast, and Tedy Bruschi is no spring chicken. Thankfully for Thomas, both of the aforementioned are free agents this season, and may not be back to open up a slot in their vaunted 3-4.

The catch will obviously been in the "guaranteed money" portion as I can't imagine many teams would want to back up the truck for a 35-year old linebacker that has missed a handful of games over the last few years, with the most recent due to concussions - not the greatest of injuries for a veteran to endure.

For those that missed Super Agent Drew Rosenhaus over the past few months may be in luck with this one, as he's being mighty persistent.

“We had a great visit in New England,” agent Drew Rosenhaus wrote in a text message last night. “They offered him a contract and we will continue negotiations.”

Read: They didn't offer us enough money, so we'll make a few more phone calls.

Dallas, New Orleans, Buffalo and the New York Jets are all said to be interested in Thomas' services. New Orleans seems like a decent option to me, as their linebacking corps could use some veteran leadership (and some talent to go with it). But if any team is loose enough with their wallet to give Thomas long-term, guaranteed money, I would be shocked - unless it was with the New York Knicks.

Report: Patriots make offer to Zach Thomas [Providence Journal]

Should The Saints Go With A Running Back?

After Deuce McAllister went down last season thanks to a brutal knee injury (his second in three seasons), the Saints were forced to rely on Reggie "Paparazzi Hating" Bush to carry the load in the backfield. With games of 17, 34, 32, and 64 yards on the ground, it goes without saying that the full time gig did not produce the dividends that New Orleans thought they would receive with the second overall selection.

Though Aaron Stecker had a couple of solid outings towards the end of the season, he will be a free agent this coming off-season and likely not re-signed. Versatile, yes, but the soon-to-be 33-year old has a better chance of being replaced by rookie running back Pierre Thomas (105 yards rushing, 121 yards receiving during week 17) who will cost the team a lot less money and give them a few more years.

So, if McAllister comes back from his injury, the Saints will be back to a three-back arsenal. Or will they? An article in today's edition of the New Orleans Times-Picayune hints towards the possibility that the Saints will not bring McAllister back - thus, saving the team $1 million in a roster bonus that will be due to the veteran. After finishing 7-9 this season, General Manager Mickey Loomis says that he would like to "do what's best for the team and Deuce."

If the team opts against re-signing McAllister, can they possibly feel that Bush and Thomas are enough to rely on? Drafting another back this season would not be far-fetched, but given the youth that is currently in tow, using their first round selection on a running back seems like a poor allocation of assets. The other option? Free agency, of course. Thankfully for New Orleans, the Free Agent running back scene is pretty rich.

Possible options include Michael Turner (UFA), Marion Barber (RFA), Jamal Lewis (UFA), Fred Taylor (UFA), Julius Jones (UFA) and a slew of other veteran-types. With the Cowboys expected to sign Barber to a three-to-five year extension, this almost ensures that Jones will be for the having.

A lot can happen between now and March, when the Saints have to declare their future with McAllister, but if I were a fan, I would not count out seeing a new name in the backfield of New Orleans come this fall.

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday.

A few things I learned this weekend:

1) American Gangster is a pretty sweet movie - even in bootlegged DVD form.
2) Your quarterback can be pretty good all year, but it is always the one game that matters most
3) My sister is pretty freaking creative. More on that later in the week.
4) My fiancee is very generous - even in tough times
5) White Christmas' are nice and all, but man is it great driving to and from holiday get-togethers on dry roads
6) LeBron's kids likely had a decent Christmas

With that said, here's a quick recap of what some others are saying around the net to catch you up to speed...

- CBS, NBC and the Fans: 1. NFL Network: 0 (Signal to Noise)

- A slew of bloggers more important than myself chipped in for a Year-in-Review of sorts. (Yahoo! Sports)

- Philip Rivers apparently forgot that he's not a good quarterback. (NFL FanHouse)

- Maybe the Mario Williams pick wasn't so bad after all. (Jim Rome)

- Another long year for Jerious Norwood on the docket? (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

- Could Derek Anderson be heading to Miami? (PFT via FanIQ)

and finally...

- Thanks for all of those fantasy points down the stretch, Reggie. (The Big Lead)

More to come later.

Morning YouTubness: MJDefense

Happy Monday, all. A solid week of NFL games about to be finished off tonight. Unfortunately, Indianapolis folded like a lawn chair and New England is still undefeated - but failed to cover the spread, if that matters.

I now direct your attention to this Jacksonville Jaguars interception. While they got drilled by the Saints, check out Jason Craft getting drilled by Maurice Jones-Drew. Get this guy on special teams!

Afternoon Delight: Pick 'Em (Week 8)

Think they forgot to put a "1" in front of that +2.5?
OK, so last week got a bit rough - you'll have that when New England hangs 40 on a team that loses it's starting running back to a season-ending injury. I think we should be able to get our principle back if a game-deciding injury occurs.

Like what if by some strange chance a fan takes Washington +17 this week, but when I say "takes" I mean puts a few million on the line. And that fan just happens to be a little unstable - because what Redskins fan isn't - and runs on to the field to take out Brady? You think those that took NE would want a refund if the man is successful? Bet your sweet ass.

But I digress. On to this week's picks....

New Orleans (-2.5) over SAN FRANCISCO
Let's just say that I'll be hard-pressed to take San Francisco with anything less than getting a touchdown for the rest of the season. They're awful. Plus, Darrell Jackson is likely out. And they still have Trent Dilfer. Trent Freaking Dilfer. The Saints aren't as bad as their record suggests, and San Fran isn't exactly Soldier's field in terms of a home field advantage. Give me Reggie by at least a field goal. (Edit: While they still "have" Trent Dilfer, he's not starting. Alex Smith is. Still taking N'Awlins. No turning back now.)

Buffalo (+3) over NEW YORK JETS
Take the 49ers, give them green jerseys and move them to east coast and you have the Jets. Buffalo can be thrown on all day, but until the green and white can stop an opposing running back - in this case, Marshawn Lynch - they're not going to win games. I can't believe Trent Edwards can win a game two weeks in a row. Heck, he doesn't even have to do that, just don't lose by more than three.

Indianapolis (-6.5) over CAROLINA
Are you serious? They destroyed fellow expansion team Jacksonville on the road last week and do not even have to give up a touchdown this time out? Carolina could start both David Carr AND Vinny Testeverde and I'd go with Peyton Manning giving points. Plus, that would just be stupid of Carolina. Who startstwo washed up QBs? Wait, what's that Raiders fan?

Green Bay (+3) over DENVER
Obviously, I'm not liking the home teams very much this week*. I'm just a fan of Brett Favre on Monday nights...and this happens to be a Monday night. Green Bay will need to run the ball to be successful, and DeShawn Wynn seems like a guy that can get the job done when needed. Give me the gunslinger and some points and I'm all over it on the road.


*Actually, St. Louis getting points at home is intriguing with Steven Jackson coming back - but I'm a Browns fan, so I can't do it

The 12th Man

Big thanks to Fan IQ for this video of Reggie Bush dealing against the Falcons this past Sunday.



Now, there's no doubting that Bush is an electric player that deserves all of the accolades he gets. Yes, there are doubters whether he can carry the "full load" or not, but after this past week, it's hard to argue against the guy.

My question is, what the hell was Keith Brooking doing on the touchdown play?

Go back and watch the video if you must, but you'll notice good old #56 come rumbling towards the side line, and then he just totally takes out Lewis Sanders, allowing Bush to fall into the end zone. The announcers give Bush the credit on the play, which was a solid pass-turned-touchdown, but it looks like Lewis would have won that battle had Brooking not ripped him off of the play.

I went ahead and pulled some not-so high quality stills...







I'll let you judge for yourself, but methinks that Brooking cost the Falcons a win on the road...

Reggie Bush Will Be Just Fine [Fan IQ]

Hi, My Name Is: Jesse Chatman

The Miami Dolphins are winless on the season. And now with recent news out of the Miami Herald, it looks like while they lost yet another game on Sunday, they will also lose their prized running back for the rest of the season.

Enter Jesse Chatman.

Like many others in the "Hi, My Name Is" series, Chatman was an undrafted free agent, signed in 2002. His college experience stems from Eastern Washington University, where he was an AP I-AA All-American selection. University of Michigan fans should know something about I-AA, but I digress.

While in school, Chatman recorded the fourth-highest single season rushing total in I-AA history with 2,096. He finished his collegiate career with 53 trips to the end zone and over 4,000 yards.

Since entering the NFL in 2002, Chatman spent several years with the Chargers before giving way to some guy named LaDanian Tomlinson. He had a tour of duty with the Dolphins, but was traded to New Orleans in 2005.

He spent 2006 out of the NFL, but rejoined the Dolphins in 2007 where he will now be thrusted into the starting running back slot for Cam Cameron.

What many not know is that Chatman was right on the tails of Brown in the preseason, sparking rumors of the former first round pick taking a back seat. Well, now Brown will take a seat on the trainers table, and Chatman will be getting the bulk of the carries while Miami still searches for their first win of the season. Good luck, Jesse.

Fans of Miami, congratulations on that number one overall pick in 2008! Will it be Jake Long? Brian Brohm? Heck, Andre Woodson?

Dolphins' Ronnie Brown Done For Season [Miami Herald]

Morning YouTubeness: "Best Team In The League, What Chu Know 'Bout That?"

Quite an odd line written in a song about a team that's currently 0-3. The Saints dropped another one, this time to the Titans...at home.

Reggie Bush finally had a solid game with two touchdowns, but it was at the expense of Deuce McAllister who reportedly tore his ACL in the game.

Vince Young threw for 164 and two touchdowns. LenDale White rushed for 50 yards, but also found pay dirt. Brandon Jones (likely one of the better receivers you haven't heard of) had 73 yards on four receptions and a touchdown.

But without further ado, the best team in the league.



Saints McAllister Has Torn ACL [CBS News]

Memo To New Orleans...

The 2007 NFL season has started.

Perhaps their copy of the memo was sent to Houston on accident? They sure came to play as they're 2-0 and the offense has only given up two sacks in two weeks.

The Saints, on the other hand, have only scored two touchdowns in as many weeks - with zero of them being by star running back Reggie Bush. Fresh off of a loss to the Jeff Garcia-led Buccaneers, the Saints are looking lifeless on offense as well as defense which can be seen by the 40-year old Joey Galloway looking like Jerry Rice against them.

So what is the problem? Let's break down a few possible reasons for the slow start that has the Saints 27th overall in points scored. (And if you're the curious type, Houston is 8th)

1) No Home Games

The Saints are 0-2 thus far, but have yet to play a game at home. After playing Indianapolis on the opening night of the NFL season, the league threw them a bone and let them play the Bucs - coming off of a 4-12 season. But with the game on the road, the Saints obviously missed their home-field advantage: "F*** Da Eagles" Heather.

They'll get to come back to the dome this week as Tennesee Titans come to town. This will bring two of the biggest second-year stars in Vince Young and Bush, likely making quite the montage on ESPN.


2) Kim Kardashian

With Reggie Bush having a busy off-season frolicking around with David Beckham, Ciara and Kim Kardashian, the first two likely didn't impact him negatively. The other has a solid chance as she's not exactly Mrs. Clean.

While some athletes choose to take risks by riding motorcycles, Bush decides to take his chances with Hepatitus. Hey Reggie, and ACL heals itself. The Hep's here to stay. "It's like luggage."

Perhaps the Saints can get an adendum written into his contract.




3) Not landing Mario Williams

Last season's draft saw the Texans make one of the more surprising moves of the year by inking defensive Mario Williams to a deal with Bush (and Vince Young, for that matter) still available. Well, as the season stands, Williams has six tackles, two sacks and touchdown on a 38-yard fumble return. With Williams having one touchdown to Bush's zero, the Texans are obviously geniuses. Bush, on the other hand, has only 65 yards rushing on the whole season - making New Orleans look downright silly for their drafting of the former Trojan...which takes us back to #2. Wrap it up, Reginald.


4) Joe Horn's Obviously a Witch Doctor

After the Saints failed to re-sign the veteran receiver, Horn went to the media to diclaim his unhappiness. While he didn't go as far to place a curse on them, you can't tell me that this dude doesn't have a Sean Payton voodoo doll at home. Or a real doll. Or both. But I digress.

Horn gave many, many seasons for the black and gold, and while he ain't what he used to be, he was a big part in the revivial of the franchise. Meanwhile, while Horn is attempting to play at the "Pro Bowl Level," his Atlanta Falcons also 0-2. Quite a coincidence, if you ask me.


So, take your pick. Don't feel like you have to limit it to just one. There's obviously something wrong with the Saints, it's just a matter of figuring out who's to blame. (Cough Kardashian Cough)

Ten Inches of Forecasting

As everyone an their step-brother are making predictions for this season, I figured that there's enough room for one more blogger to jump on board.

I had something a bit more colorful planned, but due to a lack of time - all you're getting is content today.

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts
AFC East: New England Patriots
AFC West: San Diego Chargers

AFC Wildcards: Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals

NFC North: Chicago Bears
NFC South: New Orleans Saints
NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles
NFC West: San Francisco 49ers

NFC Wildcards: Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys

AFC Champ: New England Patriots
NFC Champ: New Orleans Saints

Super Bowl Champ: New England Patriots

And yes, this pick is made strictly based on my ability to curse a team by selecting them. I'm actually going to be pulling for the Saints to win the whole she-bang this season...with the Chargers close behind.

The AFC North is going to be a three-horse race, and I could easily see the Steelers getting that wild card bid over the defenseless Bengals. The Rams may surprise a few people, as well as the Cards - but I'm sticking with my Seahawk-Niners combo. And don't underestimate the Broncos this season...They could easily go 13-3.

But that's why they play the season... Go Browns.

Morning YouTubeness: Turn Back The Clock

With the New Orleans Saints rolling into Indianapolis tonight, I figured that it'd be a great time to jump in the Wayback Machine and show a little bit of the Colts' old fearless leader: Jim Mora.

While his son's likely still doing cartwheels after getting the boot from the Falcons, the Colts have obviously improved upon the seasons of Mora, Sr. I've actually watched this a few times this morning alone - loving that it opens up with the "Diddly Poo" line. Classic.

Morning YouTubeness: Take Two

I was torn between saving this for tomorrow or posting it today. After you watch it, you'll understand why I couldn't wait.

Robert Meachem Prefers Fly Patterns

I'm a bit late on this given that it's Thursday. This one is short, but sweet. Really sweet.



Too bad that the "just run as fast as you can" spot is taken by Devery Henderson. The Saints may want to explore other options for the middle of the field as Robby may not be even putting his hands up between the hashmarks after this one.

(And I have no idea what's with the horseshoes-on-paneling at the end of the video. I just find and post. Fiiind and post.)

It's That Time Again

While this is the premier post for "Inches," I'm feeling pretty lazy on this Monday afternoon. So, you know what? You get a video.



The release of Madden 2008 is actually more important than the Hall of Fame Game to most fans, so instead of talking about Bill Cowher, Jerome Bettis and Joe Horn, we'll just go with Maddden.

What? They're not on those teams anymore? Oh...then just watch the video and ignore that last part. Queue the NFL Films music...