REGGIE BUSH: "I think this is going to be Reggie's best year. I think it's because those first three years he put a lot of pressure on himself. Obviously the expectations are very high on him. There is no doubt that he is unbelievably athletic, potentially one of the most athletic guys I have ever seen. But there is still that adjustment from college to pros, even three years down the road."
Why?
"Because I think in Reggie's case, you always need a guy who can serve as a mentor for you. I've had that mentor as a quarterback. I had Doug Flutie for four years at San Diego and Mark Brunell here. These guys have played a lot of football. Well, Deuce (McAllister) was that guy for Reggie his rookie year, but (McAllister) tore his ACL and missed the majority of the '07 season. Then last year (McAllister) was kind of in and out of the lineup and all banged up. So it's been kind of tough for Reggie at times, because you really do need somebody like that."
Can Brees be that guy for Bush?
"I'm not in that running back room. I can do that on the field and when we're together, but you spend a lot of time in that room with your position coach and the guys at your position. That's when that thing kind of carries over. Plus, I don't know what it's like to play running back in this league. Deuce McAllister knows what it's like to play running back in this league. He knows what it's like to have to take the pounding, what you've got to do to take care of your body, how to study film and what you're looking at. Definitely that mentorship is key.
"So going into his fourth year now, I think he's at a place now where he feels very comfortable with the offense, and I think he feels comfortable with his role. Yes, the expectations are high for himself, but he doesn't need to put all the pressure on himself.
"Look, this guy cares about the game. He cares about being good. He's certainly not satisfied with just winning the Heisman and being the second pick of the draft and being this marketing phenom. I think we've seen plenty of those guys come and go in this league; a lot of the hype and than nothing to show for it. He's not that guy mentally. He wants to be good. He wants to be great, and I think at times he just needs a little direction and a little mentorship. I think it's only a matter of time. There is a window of opportunity for this team. But with regard to him, because of the style or type of player he is, he's not going to be athletic forever. So there's a window of opportunity for him just like there is for us as a team."
