 |
| Detroit's addition of Reggie Bush only adds more pressure for this team to win. (Credits: John T. Greilick/AP Photo/Detroit News) |
In 2006 Reggie Bush was about as coveted as a college football prospect as there was. His explosiveness was unmatched, his quickness was almost an urban legend and his playmaking ability was unheralded. Well at least he was coveted by every team except for the Texans, who intelligently passed on the USC back with the first overall pick. Bush hasn't been coveted in such a way since '06 and while he's compiled a nice seven-year career, he's never produced like he did in college. And yet when Bush signs to a team, it's still a big deal. It was big news when he inked with the Dolphins two years ago, and it was big news when he signed in Detroit on Wednesday.
However, for a Lions team that endured one of the strangest and most disappointing seasons we've ever seen last year adding Bush just adds a profile name and ups the pressure on them to succeed. I thought Jim Schwartz fairly got a free pass last year with the magic he produced two seasons ago, but this year its much different. The talent that they have on this team is too great for them to be anything south of a playoff berth. There was no reason for this team to contend for a playoff spot last year and yet in the most bizarre turn of events we watched a 10-6 team crash, burn and finish with only four wins. Adding Bush, who should help shore up their weakness in the backfield, only increases their expectations. There are no more excuses Schwartz; you're on the hot seat.
Don't get me wrong I like this move, especially if the contract numbers (which haven't been disclosed) are right. Bush hasn't shown that he's the most effective running back, only rushing for 1,000 yards once, yet he showed earlier in his career that he can really make plays catching the ball out of the backfield. He and Calvin Johnson present a tough matchup for coverages since they both can change a game pretty quickly. This move should only enhance the Lions second ranked passing offense and it should help Matt Stafford open up the game even more with an effective checkdown option. Plus, Bush can add some help on the ground bringing versatility aside bruising back Mikel Leshoure, who certainly needed it last year. All in all, the move works on the field. But it's the off the field issues that need to improve.
Bush has no record of being a selfish player or a locker room cancer, but he is another high profile name that will force more pressure on what is usually considered a losing franchise. Detroit needs to relieve itself of its off field distractions immediately. There cannot be a repeat of last offseason when several Lions players were arrested and the team got off on the wrong foot before the preseason even began. Now with a big name guy like Bush entering the locker room, the scrutiny will be even greater.
If things work out then this offense will be electric and they will win, but if there's a slow start then this signing will go up in flames and the pressure will eventual bust the Lions pipes.
0 comments:
Post a Comment