Saints Sideline Blog

REGGIE’S ROLLER COASTER RIDE

Sunday, August 1st, 2010      Email Print

DATELINE: Metairie, LA/ August 1st, 2010 (Keeping Away from the Kardashians??)
 
Reggie Bush's offseason wasn't boring, in fact their was never a dull moment. It saw the highest high's (see Super Bowl) it saw the lowest of low's (see NCAA and USC), it even saw him becoming a free agent (see Kardashian, Kim). Bush picked up a Super Bowl ring, lost a Heisman and said goodbye for the time being to his reality TV career. Through the championships, the banishments and the breakups,Reggie now reports to camp it what he calls, "the best shape of his career."
 
Bush's health was the top story at camp this time last year. National reports had Reggie's knee as serious business even though he told us otherwise. The truth is Bush was about 70 percent a year ago at this time and he admits a year later,he hasn't felt this good since his rookie season. His first year as a Saint was the only year he stayed healthy the entire 16 games. Reggie was dinged up and in and out of the lineup during last year's regular season but came around in the playoffs. Ask the Arizona Cardinals how that one turned out. Bush's playoff performance wasn't followed up in the NFC Championship or the Super Bowl but served as a jumpstart for a Saints offense which had floundered in its final three games.
 
Reggie was rewarded in the offseason as the Saints picked up his option where he will make 8 million this year, that's only 2 million less than that Brees guy. While some may claim he's the highest paid decoy in NFL history, Sean Payton know better. He knows what having Bush means in his offense, especially when he is healthy. Reggie feels good physcially but admits the USC troubles have had an effect,"Well, I think I would be lying if I said it didn't. Obviously it does. At the end of the day, it is what it is. All I can do now is focus on the New Orleans Saints and really just move on."
 
Moving on he will do where time has flown, this will be Reggie Bush's 5th season in the pro's and he's ready for it to be his best. Its ironic in an offseason full of outside distractions, Bush enters this year with no distractions as a Saint which should make all the difference in the world. "Last year, for the majority of the season, I was recovering and I was slowly getting back into football. Once you saw a healthy me,you saw a more explosive me." An exploding Reggie Bush is poised for a breakout season and its obvious he feels its time to get off the roller coaster ride of an offseason and jump on the feel good carousel which could be a back to back World Championship ride of his life.
 
AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
 
THE HEAT IS ON: The Saints only practiced in the afternoon on Sunday and Sean Payton who never uses the heat as an excuse admitted it was the hottest practice since the team moved Training Camp from Jackson. The heat index peaked at 119 degrees and the team adjusted by giving the Saints more water breaks.
 
PLAY OF THE DAY: Lots of hard hitting in 11 on 11 drills but the standout play was a leaping grab by Courtney Roby in traffic.
 
"SHOCK" IS SORE: Jeremy Shockey was held out of the PM workout due to soreness. No word on whether the leg was sore after the Saints Tight End punted the ball in frustration after making a catch on Saturday.
 
WHAT ABOUT BOB?: Robert Meachem and his toe are still being limited in practice but Meacham tells me he is feeling better by the day and expects to be back in action sooner rather than later.
 
JUST DESSERTS: The Saints received a nice treat after Sunday's workout where there was an all you could eat Watermelon table for everyone to dig into. My money for the best Kobiyashi impersonation was Sean Payton who mingled with the players while downing more than a few slices.
 
UNTIL NEXT BLOG,
Mike Nabors
CST

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

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