Where does Reggie Bush rank at RB? (1 Viewer)

[GregR_2]

From a water cooler discussion the other day. Reggie Bush is more difficult than most to peg as to where he slots amongst RBs in an NFL (not fantasy) sense, since a lot of what he brings to a team isn't your traditional RB value.

So let's say every NFL RB was going to be paid based on what you perceive is his total value to an NFL team for the 2011 season. Total value... rushing, receiving, kick return, mismatch creation, roster flexibility, difficulty for opponents to gameplan, jersey and season ticket sales, veteran leadership... anything that is a real consideration for an NFL team that might make them be willing to pay a few dollars more for a RB with the trait over another RB who lacks that trait but is otherwise identical.

We're talking 2011 season only, not long term.

So using a ranking by salary where salary is based on your perceived value he has to an NFL team, about where would Reggie Bush end up ranked?

 

[Jason Wood]

Nice topic, GregR.

I voted outside the top 40. He's got obvious elite athleticism but that never translated onto the field save for the occasional snapshot moments.

 

[GregR_2]

Nice topic, GregR.I voted outside the top 40. He's got obvious elite athleticism but that never translated onto the field save for the occasional snapshot moments.

Assuming he either gets cut by the Saints, or agrees to restructure his contract, do you think the contract he actually ends up with would put him in that range, or do you think the NFL will 'overpay' for him compared to your beliefs?

 

[DawnBTVS]

I voted 11-15 for several of the reasons you listed...

1: He's capable of running the ball 15+ a game if given the opportunity. It's just that he was initially stuck behind proven inside runners in Deuce and then Pierre Thomas, et al in New Orleans so his opportunities in that regard were small.

2: Very, very solid receiver who can be utilized on screens, flares, and position himself out as a slot WR. He also has enough speed that he can be thrown all the way outside and asked to run a Go.

3: With a proper offensive mind, he is arguably one of the top players, period, who would be a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. He can run inside, run outside, catch the ball, and split out wide. It wouldn't surprise me if he could even be a Wildcat QB type and throw a couple times a year ala LT2.

4: In terms of roster flexibility, he can essentially offer up the ability to play 4 positions for the cost of 1 roster spot. He can be a RB, slot WR, PR, and if asked, a KR. So a team could utilize the other 3 spots on depth or special teams coverage instead.

5: Jersey sales, he's still a big enough name that he could sell jerseys pretty well, even with the chaos at USC. He's too electrifying on the field to not turn around ala Mike Vick and sell jerseys for being such an exciting on field product.

I think too many people look at positions through the eyes of FF and proclaim 40 (seriously, people???) RBs better options than Bush simply based on running/receiving ability alone. The roster flexibility and matchup potential for an offense alone would provide Bush at least a Top 25 ranking from most NFL player personnel I think. The ability to split Bush out wide makes the entire offense much more dangerous, even if Bush isn't the targeted receiver on the play. Such concepts are severely underrated/undervalued in trying to compare NFL to FF.