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Breaking Down The Tape: Michael Bush, RB, Louisville (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Sigmund Bloom
- Start date
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Nice write up.
Bush has no agility. He trips over himself in highlight video. He is CONSTANTLY going outside. Not a good sign.
He has to gather himself too much when trying to change direction or adjusting to dump passes. He is going to get blown up in the NFL for that. NFL defenders are too fast and instinctive for Bush to get away with the things he does in this tape, that really are not that impressive.
One of the 2 runs up the middle (that is all there were) was a draw play. This is not a big bruising Rb who will get the nod at the goal line folks. Duckett looked MUCH better than Bush does imho and Duckett has not been starting quality in the NFL.
People who have Bush ranked 3rd of the rookie Rbs are going to be very disapointed.
Bush has no agility. He trips over himself in highlight video. He is CONSTANTLY going outside. Not a good sign.
He has to gather himself too much when trying to change direction or adjusting to dump passes. He is going to get blown up in the NFL for that. NFL defenders are too fast and instinctive for Bush to get away with the things he does in this tape, that really are not that impressive.
One of the 2 runs up the middle (that is all there were) was a draw play. This is not a big bruising Rb who will get the nod at the goal line folks. Duckett looked MUCH better than Bush does imho and Duckett has not been starting quality in the NFL.
People who have Bush ranked 3rd of the rookie Rbs are going to be very disapointed.
ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
He sort of reminds me a little of Ron Dayne in the fact that because he has more speed than a normal back that size, people think he's a quick back AND is a bruiser. Both Bush and Dayne are neither.
I've been skeptical of Bush for a while now, but I am willing to grant that he could learn to run meaner, or flourish if he ends up being reunited with college coach Bobby Petrino in Atlanta. The theme that is emerging with him is that he'll need to overhaul his running style to make it in the pros. There were ever so brief signs of this happening in the first game of the year before he broke his leg.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
I agree Bush is probobly a closer compare to Dayne than Duckett. However even Dayne has shown more nimbleness than I see from Bush here. Dayne can shift to make a defender miss without gathering himself like Bush does.
It is only a short tape but if those are supposed to be highlights that is not looking good to me. I don't see myself touching this guy in rookie drafts unless he falls to the 4th round.
It is only a short tape but if those are supposed to be highlights that is not looking good to me. I don't see myself touching this guy in rookie drafts unless he falls to the 4th round.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Can you share a clip from that game?I see nothing mean or powerful about him at all. Nor does he show the balance to be able to put his head down and gain yards after contact if someone did teach him to change his running style.It is a short clip so perhaps I should reserve some judgement. But what I have seen so far looks terrible.
I don't have a clip. Chaos Commish put it well:
Tag
it just depends on where he goes to. Although I think the Bush fanwagon will pick up a lot of fans after the draft. He is a good running back, and because of his broken leg, people did not get to see how good he can be. Plus lets face it if his leg is back to being good, having the year off with out the carries could be a good thing for his long term in the NFL.
rabidfireweasel
Footballguy
While I appreciate the work by construxboy- people have to put this tape in context. This is tape that one person put together and stuck on the net. This isn't a compilation of multiple game tapes selected by an informed fan/scout that best shows his strengths and weaknesses. It is 12 runs. It is hard to make an informed opinion about someone if you see less than 12 quarters, let alone 12 runs on a supposed "highlight" reel. I still have not made up my mind on Bush, and this clip does little to inform my opinion one way or the other.
Iron Mike Tomczak
Footballguy
I think the Steelers may grab him in the 2nd.
They need a big RB to switch up from FWP, and Davenport (though recently signed) sucks.
They need a big RB to switch up from FWP, and Davenport (though recently signed) sucks.
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Biabreakable
Footballguy
If the Steelers draft him that would give me pause..
RC94
Footballguy
JohnnyU
Footballguy
The biggest thing that stood out to me was how sluggish he was changing direction, always taking it outside, and the way he carries the ball. I agree with Construxboy, he didn't look good in those highlights.
While I'm at it, was it just me, or did Lynch look better than Peterson in their highlights?
While I'm at it, was it just me, or did Lynch look better than Peterson in their highlights?
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Jiggyonthehut
Footballguy
Bush's steps were too choppy and it seemed his in-game speed for his size was only nominal. Cuts didn't look too great, especially in the open field and alot of his work was done off-tackle. Jacobs actually seems to me to be faster for his size and displays good cutting ability to gain a few yards. Also, Jacobs can go between the tackles and maintain his balance, something that Bush cannot do. Jacobs also has a much lower running style and grinds upon contact, whereas it seemed Bush went down like a stone upon initial contact. I'm not a huge proponent of Bush unless he changes his running style. Perhaps he has addressed the issues regarding his broken leg but an injury like that certainly cannot help his already poor balance.
RC94
Footballguy
Have you seen Bush play outside of that little "highlight" clip? He has a similar style and similar strengths and weaknesses as Jacobs. Like Jacobs, he can be a good player in the right system, but has limitations. He runs a lot better between the tackles than you are giving him credit for and IMO has better vision to find the hole than Jacobs. In addition, I have seen him break away and show some good speed for a big RB, which also isn't shown in this clip. rabidfireweasel is right - anyone who is evaluating Bush based mainly on this clip is doing themselves a disservice.Bush's steps were too choppy and it seemed his in-game speed for his size was only nominal. Cuts didn't look too great, especially in the open field and alot of his work was done off-tackle. Jacobs actually seems to me to be faster for his size and displays good cutting ability to gain a few yards. Also, Jacobs can go between the tackles and maintain his balance, something that Bush cannot do. Jacobs also has a much lower running style and grinds upon contact, whereas it seemed Bush went down like a stone upon initial contact. I'm not a huge proponent of Bush unless he changes his running style. Perhaps he has addressed the issues regarding his broken leg but an injury like that certainly cannot help his already poor balance.
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ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
No disagreement there. The general idea of the Break Down the Tape feature was to allow people to discuss a player's highlights while all being able to reference the same tape. That's what makes it fun to me. Someone can say that they disagree with me about a certain move on the 4th run or whatever. As opposed to people arguing about how someone looked in a certain game that most people never saw or don't recollect. As for the short tape, I agree. But it was darn hard to find tape of Bush since he didn't really play this year. I think the Hunt ones were better and the Pittman one that someone has already posted in that thread is a real good sampling.
ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
Again, agree but I think there is some value in this tape. If nothing else, it should show you what things you want to see him do differently in other highlight tapes or full game videos. So you've got that going for you....Have you seen Bush play outside of that little "highlight" clip? He has a similar style and similar strengths and weaknesses as Jacobs. Like Jacobs, he can be a good player in the right system, but has limitations. He runs a lot better between the tackles than you are giving him credit for and IMO has better vision to find the hole than Jacobs. In addition, I have seen him break away and show some good speed for a big RB, which also isn't shown in this clip. rabidfireweasel is right - anyone who is evaluating Bush based mainly on this clip is doing themselves a disservice.Bush's steps were too choppy and it seemed his in-game speed for his size was only nominal. Cuts didn't look too great, especially in the open field and alot of his work was done off-tackle. Jacobs actually seems to me to be faster for his size and displays good cutting ability to gain a few yards. Also, Jacobs can go between the tackles and maintain his balance, something that Bush cannot do. Jacobs also has a much lower running style and grinds upon contact, whereas it seemed Bush went down like a stone upon initial contact. I'm not a huge proponent of Bush unless he changes his running style. Perhaps he has addressed the issues regarding his broken leg but an injury like that certainly cannot help his already poor balance.
ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
Interesting that both Shelton and Bush run too high. Haven't seen enough of Smith to know if he does too, but maybe it's coaching or lack thereof?Also wanted to mention that if anyone knows of better video clips of Bush freely available on the web, let me know.
rabidfireweasel
Footballguy
Construx-
I should add- I think you did a great job breaking down this tape. (I only questioed the amount to be critiqued.) I also think you did a great job on the Hunt tape. I think a great thing for you to do- if you pursue this- would be to request that FBG's send you a tivo of highly rated prospects. Then you could break down entire games. We have FBg's all over the country, and I bet that you could get more than half of the major prospects. You could also analyze blitz pick ups and game situations better. A player like Bush would be tough in any situation due to injury.
Thanks again for your hard work. I always look forward to your observations.
I should add- I think you did a great job breaking down this tape. (I only questioed the amount to be critiqued.) I also think you did a great job on the Hunt tape. I think a great thing for you to do- if you pursue this- would be to request that FBG's send you a tivo of highly rated prospects. Then you could break down entire games. We have FBg's all over the country, and I bet that you could get more than half of the major prospects. You could also analyze blitz pick ups and game situations better. A player like Bush would be tough in any situation due to injury.
Thanks again for your hard work. I always look forward to your observations.
ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
Thanks. I think the plan for next season is to have me and others doing that on a week by week basis (within reason) throughout the season. Should be fun.Unfortunately, I'd have to agree. I watched that clip a long time ago when I was looking for anything to glimpse the players that will be available at my rookie picks. I came away thinking, "this is a highlight video?" It was really very pedestrian, and I had to assume that he gained all his stats by being more impressive than the video suggested.I really need to make an effort to watch more college fb so that I'm not so late to the party.ConstruxBoy said:
fwiw, on the impressions that I got from other players that I looked at:Meachem - great hands. Rarely made eye popping spectacular grabs, but always put himself into a position where he didn't have to. Great awareness of where he needed to come down to stay in bounds. Good YAC. Wasn't afraid to go over the middle even though he didn't do it much. Kinda reminded me of a poor man's Marvin Harrison.Bowe - beastly specimen. Kept dropping catchable balls. I'm sold on everything but his hands, but I value hands very highly.Pittman - a lot more shifty than I expected. Read his blocks and anticipated well in the open field. But I couldn't shake the feeling that he was weak. Rarely saw him finish off the plays how I wanted him to. He could be something in the perfect situation.Hunt - tough bruising rb that's bigger than he looks. Just not quick enough.Ginn - saw very little to make me think he was a wr yet. Yes, he outran people, and he did catch the ball when he was wide open. But he ddn't go over the middle at all. Want to see him use his body and route running more and not just rely solely on speed. Could end up deadly if coached up and used the right way, but a work in progress.I need to look at Jarrett now that his stock has dropped. Also the wrs that are likely out of the 1st round.Right now I'm eyeing Bowe and Meachem at the 1.6. Not sure who at 1.11. I'm pretty sure the big 2 qbs will be gone. Maybe Booker, maybe bush. May get a crack at another 1st round wr(Jarrett, Rice, maybe Ginn) if enough 2nd tier rbs go in the 1st, but most likely it would be my choice of the top of the crop of 2nd tier wrs, rbs, or olsen/defense.
coolnerd
Footballguy
I heard unsubstantiated rumors that Bush's leg wasn't right back in January and it really made me want to see him do a full workout before the draft. Guess that ain't gonna happen.
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coolnerd
Footballguy
I am guessing the question now is how far does he fall?
wannabee
Footballguy
I still think Bush goes to Atlanta in round 2. Petrino is the one that knows what he has in Bush. If he likes him as a player, this should not affect the pick much. The variable then would just be time.I am guessing the question now is how far does he fall?I heard unsubstantiated rumors that Bush's leg wasn't right back in January and it really made me want to see him do a full workout before the draft. Guess that ain't gonna happen.
That really comes down to what the doctors say. This definitely has "will never be the same" potential. I have no idea whether that will come to fruition, but stories that end that way often have this kind of chapter.I am guessing the question now is how far does he fall?
ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
And if Atlanta passes on him in the 2nd round, that would probably be an indication to stay away.I still think Bush goes to Atlanta in round 2. Petrino is the one that knows what he has in Bush. If he likes him as a player, this should not affect the pick much. The variable then would just be time.I am guessing the question now is how far does he fall?I heard unsubstantiated rumors that Bush's leg wasn't right back in January and it really made me want to see him do a full workout before the draft. Guess that ain't gonna happen.
radiohead417
Footballguy
I absolutely agree that this guy is going to be a disappointment for those who grab him in rookie drafts. I traded up from 1.04 to 1.03 just to make sure I didn't have to take him.
I understand the thinking that Petrino may look at him in the 2nd, or even the 3rd round because he knows Bush and thinks highly of him, but some of the college coaches making the NFL transition who went with players they had (e.g. Spurrier) haven't done especially well and others, like Saban, avoided it until later rounds (even though Saban habitually drafted players that he formerly recruited, especially out of the SEC).
Petrino knows the league better than a lot of the coaches who make the move from college to the pros, and I would think he understands that as a rookie NFL head coach, taking a former player who's broken leg isn't healing properly in one of the early rounds would not be the right way to start, especially for a team that has other holes to fill.
Peripherally, I think this is good news for Norwood, since even if Bush were to be drafted by Atlanta, he probably wouldn't be ready to contribute much, if at all, in 2007. If Norwood has the goods (as I think he does) he'd have a chance to prove it this upcoming season and maybe establish himself.
Petrino knows the league better than a lot of the coaches who make the move from college to the pros, and I would think he understands that as a rookie NFL head coach, taking a former player who's broken leg isn't healing properly in one of the early rounds would not be the right way to start, especially for a team that has other holes to fill.
Peripherally, I think this is good news for Norwood, since even if Bush were to be drafted by Atlanta, he probably wouldn't be ready to contribute much, if at all, in 2007. If Norwood has the goods (as I think he does) he'd have a chance to prove it this upcoming season and maybe establish himself.
ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
Good points. I remember knowing that Rohan Davey was done when Saban passed on him, even though he really needed a young QB.
GroveDiesel
Footballguy
After not healing properly the first time around and Bush not being able to be anywhere near ready until a month after the draft, I don't know how a team could draft him at this point. His only hope may be the supplemental draft.
