3 Reasons why AD is a better draft pick than Reggie Bush was.

[8timechamps]

In last year’s draft, the “experts” predicted Reggie Bush to be the number 1 overall pick, and when the Texans went with Mario Williams over Bush, those same “experts” chastised the Texans for a poor draft selection. You can be the judge whether or not the Texans made a mistake. In my opinion, and with 20/20 hindsight, I think the Texans did about as well as if they had drafted Bush.

So, why is AD a better pick than Bush? First of all, I have taken off my crimson glasses and am looking at this from as partial a standpoint as I possibly can.

1. With more and more teams going to a 3-4 defense, this hurt Bush and helps AD. Bush, while in college, saw a mix of every kind of defense, and one could argue that he saw little of the 3-4 defense. Since Bush could outrun 99% of all college linemen, once he broke the front 4 (or sometimes 5) he utilized his quickness and footwork to gain additional yardage. When Bush moved to the NFL, linemen became much quicker, but more importantly, he saw more 3 men fronts. The trend in the NFL has been fast, quick linebackers. And, in a lot of cases, linebackers with burning speed.

Since Reggie’s running style depends more on quickness and footwork (a style that can be very successful in college), those attributes were somewhat offset by faster linebackers. Which, in many cases, neutralized Reggie’s skills. AD on the other hand relies on his strength as well as his speed with works much better in a one cut offense. He has the size and strength to take on NFL linebackers and win those battles.

2. Reggie came into an existing offense with a proven back in front of him. He was destined to play a back up role for the Saints. With reduced playing time comes a longer learning curve in the NFL. The Saints attempted to offset this by putting Reggie in the slot, however he’s not a prototypical NFL WR, and had limited success there. AD isn’t going to be playing the slot for any coach with a brain. The chances are pretty good that he’ll be the starter for his team by the end of preseason. More playing time=more familiarity with NFL defenses and hopefully success quicker than Bush.

3. Hype/Over hype. Reggie was on everyone’s draft board as the number one pick. He was as over hyped as one can be. And given his performance last season, over hyped is the correct word. He was destined to be a disappointment from the beginning. Teams looked to him as a savior of sorts, and he was not going to be able to live up to that (unless he rushed for 2,000 yards. AD, on the other hand, while getting his share of hype, isn’t looked at as a savior. He should be able to join a team with realistic expectations, and I think should be able to rush for 1,400 yards or more.

Any way you look at it, AD should be in a much better situation to become more of an impact player than Bush is/was.

[Blitzkrieg]

This is not a zero sum argument, one doesn't have to be better than the other. It depends of a teams needs, scheme, and a lot of luck with injuries.

Reggie Bush is a remarkable player. Maybe even better than that. We'll see what AD can do in the league.

[TexasLidig8r]

I'll play the role of Devil's Advocate.

Now, are you looking at long term careers or which one is more likely to have an outstanding, yet shorter career?

History has shown the elusive runner is more likely to have a longer career. Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton to a certain extent... none were considered "burners" yet you don't see many clips of them running over defenders. Longevity characterized their careers.

The bigger backs, Earl Campbell for example, were outstanding yet their careers were shortened because of the manner in which they ran.. over for the most part, instead of around.

Peterson's running style may also be a factor. He tends to run more "straight up." The only running back I can think of who has been successful with that running style.. Eric Dickerson. You are more of a target and more vulnerable when your running style has you up.

Injuries and being injury prone. Yes, I know many on here try to explain away the injuries which hampered Peterson's career, but, his shoulder injury in high school, shoulder injury this past year and ankle sprain, are going to be considered by the NFL and there will be questions about his durability. Are those injuries likely to be repeated? Maybe not. But, Bush does not have the same questions.

Bush is a more versatile player. Slotback, the ability to return punts and kickoffs, running back. He can be slotted in different positions to take advantage of mismatches as he can isolated against a slower safety or linebacker.

Finally, the NFL game seems to be evolving. Teams appear to be going to a two back system. See the Colts from last year.... New England. Yes, Tomlinson for the Chargers was a notable exception, but, the game is so violent and fast, that having two quality backs may become a necessity.

Now... will Peterson be a great pro? If he stays injury free, then yes, he could be. Bush's versatility and skill set sets him apart.

[JLB]

They are both great backs.Both played on outstanding teams,so you could argue that they where both products of the system.
Reggie was lucky that he landed on a up and coming team,the Saints looked pretty good last year and I think it will stay that way for some years to come.
But for Peterson,who is one helluva physical presence,I dont think he will be as lucky.I think his injuries are really going to hurt him in this draft.
I mean he was injured every year that he was at Oklahoma.If that that doesnt draw a red flag than I dont know what will.
He needs not to be so physical in his running style.The men in the NFL are bad mother truckers and wont hesitate to lay the wood on AD.Bottom line is AD needs to prove that he can stay healthy.

[stoopified]

AD is better because he is a SOONER,end of discussion.My Crimson lens are a genetic gift and cannot be removed without surgery.

[goingoneight]

How many "rushing" yard per season has Reggie gotten in college and the NFL.

Good "rushing numbers" at USC, but he was more effective as a slot receiver at NO than a back. In fact, Reggie's only skill running the ball is sideways in the shotgun. I'm much too mature to still cry about him beating us in the OB, so I'm not ripping on Reggie at all. He is all hype when they call him a "running back" in the NFL. Slot receiver and kick/punt returner? Absolutely yes. He is a natural, one fluid motion kind of runner on his returns and never goes backwards like Reggie Smith or Joe Washington for instance... hsi explosiveness is on the move, not stop-and-go.

AD is still a big question. We know he'll have good "rushing numbers" and we know he can catch screen passes and laterals okay, but is he a kickoff return man or punt return man? Can he catch a ball like a WR does? You know, one that's thrown faster than two miles per hour?

I think AD is a sick athlete, and comparing Bush and AD is stupid. The only thing these two guys have in common is the term "running back." Truth is, if you put AD and Reggie Bush in the same backfield, you know and I know exactly who plays where, AD is the I-back, Bush is the slip-screen back. They could play for years and never be the same athlete.

AD dominated the line of scrimmage, and has explosiveness in the open backfield, Reggie bush is more of an extra body in the NFL Reggie Bush can end up being for NO, what Mark Clayton was for OU... the 'grab and go' guy.

[Octavian]

Take away the natural horn condescension and Lid pretty much nailed it.

[swardboy]

I'll play the role of Devil's Advocate.

.....you ARE the debbil...notwithstanding, I think the thing AD has in common with Dickerson is the gazelle-like speed. Dickerson was through the line SO FAST that he was spared much of the brutal blows the average NFL back suffers. If AD can emulate that aspect of Eric's greatness, he will endure and thrive...imho.

[soonerjoker]

8timechamps;

i don't think you successfully removed your "crimson colored glasses".

[XingTheRubicon]

To say to any extent that Walter Payton didn't "run over too many defenders" is free flowing ignorance. The maniac sought out violence at the end of runs, just like AD. Walter was one of God's own mysteries, I think he missed 1 game or something like that.

AD may be durable enough, maybe not. Who knows.

[Soonerus]

I totally agree on AD as the best pick...

[snp]

Since Bush could outrun 99% of all college linemen, once he broke the front 4 (or sometimes 5) he utilized his quickness and footwork to gain additional yardage.

If you can show me one college DL that can outrun Reggie Bush I will give you 1 million dollars. Reggie Bush can outrun 99% of the NFL.

Blitz and Lid are right.

[magic33216]

It doesn't matter if the DL can outrun Reggie, they get off their blocks better, it's more even match ups than in college and the Wac-10, plus they are indeed quicker. It will definitely make it harder for Bush to garner rushing yards.

[badger]

reason number four... he's a sooner.

[Since71ASooner4Life]

Let's not forget that Reggie Bush has very good hands, and AD has been for the most part a runner only. Reggie Bush also has incredible quickness and cutting skills, which other than Barry Sanders I dont recall any back on a comparable level. AD was great, but there are reasons Reggie Bush put up the numbers he did, and they aren't all about how good his teammates were.

[JohnnyMack]

AD can't block.

AD may have durability questions.

AD hasn't caught many balls.

[Jason White's Third Knee]

Bush was a freak. To say that he can outrun 99% of college linemen isn't tough. I'll go as far as to say he can outrun 100% of college and NFL linemen.

He has great hands, the world's best moves, and he is freaky strong. He did 24 reps of 225lb bench at the nfl combines. He's a scat back? Whoa.

I saw him single handedly win about 6 games that the usc should have lost. I hate Reggie Bush, but he's unreal.

I don't know how AD figures in to the equation. He's a beast and has one of the biggest hearts out there. A real fighter. I hope he does us all proud and makes Reggie Bush look like a bitch. I just don't think it'll happen.

[JohnnyMack]

Bush was a freak. To say that he can outrun 99% of college linemen isn't tough. I'll go as far as to say he can outrun 100% of college and NFL linemen.


You want true speed? Go back and watch the video of his TD against the Bears in the playoffs. Watch him run away from Urlacher like Urlacher was an OT.

[Seamus]

You want true speed? Go back and watch the video of his TD against the Bears in the playoffs. Watch him run away from Urlacher like Urlacher was an OT.

And then show what a classless arse-hat he is by taunting Urlacher with the ball ...

[JohnnyMack]

And then show what a classless arse-hat he is by taunting Urlacher with the ball ...

I'm not placing value judgments on his behavior, just pointing out his superhuman speed.

[RedstickSooner]

2. Reggie came into an existing offense with a proven back in front of him. He was destined to play a back up role for the Saints. With reduced playing time comes a longer learning curve in the NFL. The Saints attempted to offset this by putting Reggie in the slot, however he’s not a prototypical NFL WR, and had limited success there.

This, I've always thought, was the biggest knock on Reggie. He's *not* a prototypical NFL WR, and he's also not a prototypical NFL RB.

At the pro level, it always seemed to me that teams would be better off with specialists. Not generalists. I don't see how Bush will ever be a better RB than the best RBs out there -- your tomlinsons, your Barbers, your what's-his-name-from-Kansas Cities, your Sean Alexanders. Nor will he ever be as good a wideout as your great wideouts. So what's the point in drafting him #2?

Er, I take that back - there is a verrry good reason to draft Bush, and the Saints were wise to do so -- the dude fills seats. But there's some question as to how long his career will last as a seat filler.

[snp]

I'm not placing value judgments on his behavior, just pointing out his superhuman speed.

Exactly. Urlacher is faster than many WR and safeties, as well as every DL except maybe Peppers. RB just pulled away from him with ease.

Also, if we were to judging behavior, than AD would win in a landslide. He was loved by all the coaches not for just his ability, but more for his personality. He tried to become a gunner for punts because he's that type of guy.

[ashley]

This is easy and not as complicated as some want to make it. He is going to get over twice as many touches.
for what it's worth,I think AD is the most underrated back I have seen in years, and I have been watching since the late fifties.

[snp]

AD underrated?

But he ****s lightning bolts and has a flux capacitor in his biceps

[Seamus]

[QUOTE=SuperNinjaPirate]Exactly. Urlacher is faster than many WR and safeties, as well as every DL except maybe Peppers. RB just pulled away from him with ease.

QUOTE]


OK. So he's a very fast arse-hat :cool:

[ashley]

Yes, better than ever rated.

[JohnnyMack]

Exactly. Urlacher is faster than many WR and safeties, as well as every DL except maybe Peppers. RB just pulled away from him with ease.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=tBcR_SBl88s

About the only decent video I could find.

[soonerlaw]

Atlanta just traded Schaub to Houston and they flip-flopped their draft picks, so now Atlanta has #8. Do you guys think this has any possible ramifications for AD, or is he still going to the Browns like Kiper says?

[bosworthsteroidmafia]

I think that because of the durability questions, no matter how good AD looks early on he will split carries with Jamal Lewis. The Browns are paying Lewis good money, they aren't just going to keep him on the bench. This will give AD a chance to get aquianted with NFL and keep both backs healthier.

At the far off chance that he is drafted by the Raiders or Lions, I think he will also split carries with Rhodes/Jordan or Jones, respectively.

[JLB]

Reggie Bush is fast.But I did not know Urlacher was that fast.That is one fast cracker.He out ran the cornerbacks on his team.

[Rogue]

Apples and oranges. AD could well be one of the 10 fastest RBs in the league too. So, would you rather have his combination of power + speed or RBs combination of good hands + amazing speed? At this point RB is a proven NFL commodity. Kid can produce. AD probably will too, but at this point the argument is solidly in Bush's favor.

[JohnnyMack]

I think that because of the durability questions, no matter how good AD looks early on he will split carries with Jamal Lewis. The Browns are paying Lewis good money, they aren't just going to keep him on the bench. This will give AD a chance to get aquianted with NFL and keep both backs healthier.

At the far off chance that he is drafted by the Raiders or Lions, I think he will also split carries with Rhodes/Jordan or Jones, respectively.

I remember AD's freshman year when he made the comment right before we played Saxet that the game was "slowing down" for him. That he was getting used to the speed at which the game was played. He had an OK game that year against the whorns if I remember right. I imagine that by Halloween next year, and with Jamal Lewis' help that the game will start to "slow down" for him.

[OU-HSV]

I remember AD's freshman year when he made the comment right before we played Saxet that the game was "slowing down" for him. That he was getting used to the speed at which the game was played. He had an OK game that year against the whorns if I remember right. I imagine that by Halloween next year, and with Jamal Lewis' help that the game will start to "slow down" for him.
Meaning a Jamal Lewis injury right?

[Ash]

You want true speed? Go back and watch the video of his TD against the Bears in the playoffs. Watch him run away from Urlacher like Urlacher was an OT.

EDIT: what SNP said, except Urlacher is faster than Peppers.

He's the fastest defender in the game that plays in the front seven, hands down.