I guess I've always rebelled against the norm and that's partially why Bush is so low here. But...
The attitude he exhibits as 'the anointed one', and, as 'God's gift to football'; are simply offensive.
Football is a team sport and no individual can succeed without the team doing its job well. Even Barry Sanders, the greatest 'running' back to ever play, had a team that showed, in the year after he left, that they were a good team without him.
For an individual to flout the rules, and act like he is above everyone else, is troubling to the genesis of the team attitude needed for team success.
His situation with the house his family accepted, and, the people led on to believe they would be his representatives, reeks. Why would they have put up a dime without talking to him directly and getting some assurances; and, if he was against it, then why did the family accept?
So, he never visited his mother, and brothers, for an entire year and never asked about their new house? Please.
It's, simply, U.S.C.'s problem.
The hubris in which he thinks he is untouchable and everyone else is stupid, is amazingly tolerated by the press and N.F.L. owners. Kellen Winslow had this attitude, and, he went down and lost his money. His accident was a direct reflection of his invincible attitude.
The best example is Maurice Clarett. Bush could be heading down a similar road.
A truly great player needs to be humble and respect his peers. No matter what the promise of his athletic ability he needs to learn and prove that he can do something with it.
David Boston had a great athletic ability, and, he destroyed his career instead of becoming the elite receiver he could have been. The list of failures is far longer then the list of successes.
The media frenzy phenomena, of our current culture, has gone to his head. The promise of potential and, more importantly, the money he will command in endorsements and salary; have gone to the heads of the people around him.
This is looking strongly like the giant ready for a fall.
He should study the class of the N.F.L. and emulate them. The Barbers, for instance, are an excellent example of hard working talent that understand the wonderful life they are privileged to receive.
The overwhelming majority of humanity will never experience or understand the life that Reggie Bush now stands on the threshold of. In respect for them and the fans that make his ascendancy to god-hood possible, Bush should show appreciation and respect.
Unfortunately, he has decided to be small minded, selfish and a consummate jerk. He is quickly cashing in the good feeling chips for the isolated, busted out misunderstanding of Barry Bonds.
Bonds cheated Pittsburgh of two World Series championships by putting himself before the team, turning his back on his teammates and the fans to publicly rail about his selfish desire for money. His postseason batting average proves he choked to prove the point of his stupidity.
He filmed a commercial that came out early in his Giants career. He hits a home run and while rounding second he stops, calls his agent, and tells him that he's going to need more money or he's not going home.
Bush is quickly headed down this road. His first national commercial portrays him cheating a friend; through the guilt of association by using his status to demand friendship tribute from one of the 'little people', out of the top draft pick in fantasy football.
Often hubris blinds its slaves to themselves and allows them to become complicit in portrayals of the truth that they feel is simply acceptable behavior.
Reggie Bush is quickly becoming a cancer that will infect and destroy New Orleans. He will be the second hurricane to decimate that wonderful city and rip the hearts out of its suffering residents. He may be the catalyst that destroys the franchise enough to allow its departure. (L.A.)
Deuce McAlister is a great back and still young. He will recover from his injury by next year.
Bush has never held the #1 runningback's responsibility, alone. He was the alternative, the lighter, quicker, pass catching outside rusher. When the national title and history was on the line, some very smart and accomplished men went with Lendale White, instead.
White scored more touchdowns and was possibly more valuable overall then the occasional home-run hitter against questionable talent on college teams.
It will take a couple years for his body to get acclimated to the N.F.L. speed, hitting and endurance. He needs to learn plays and defenses, and gain valuable experience in dealing with professionals looking to knock him back into his rookie place and give him an intimate understanding of the term: "snot bubbles".
The schedule New Orleans faces is brutal. They will get another top five draft pick next year.
They will lose games and frustration will set in.
Brees needs to come back from a very serious injury and stay healthy. The line needs to re-find an identity and reform its unity around a lot of new people, some with questionable talent and attitude. the Stallworth issue could blow up and be poisonous, and then there's Bush's future relationship with McAlister and the pecking order he will not want to accept.
Bush will feel his way into his greatness or wither and die under the unfulfilled expectations and crushing psychological failure that found its extreme in Ryan Leaf.
Houston is still taking heat from the pundits that have anointed Bush as the second coming, but, everyday they are looking smarter and smarter.
Their defensive choice is already under contract and, if he truly is talented, will contribute immediately and elevate the Texan defense. Look up what Merriman, Tatupu, Urlacher and so many more did in their first year. Has any runningback had such an impact; and for so long!
Houston knew there was going to be a problem with the money, Bush let them know right away. In the retrospect of this draft it will be evident that the Saints would have been better served with D'Brickashaw Ferguson, a future franchise quarterback, or a top defensive player who would have made an immediate impact on the bottom line, winning.
If Bush is the demi-god everyone thinks he is then he will score the minimum ten touchdowns and get over 1200 yards and be the rookie of the year. Take the chance and draft him if you think this, because someone will. He won't be available after the third round of any fantasy draft.
But, keep in mind he could just as easily end with 4 T.D.s and 650 yards.
More likely, in the midst of failure, a convenient, or (hopefully not) tragic, injury will occur, and he will use it like so many others as the excuse for failure.
There is one thing that in his heart of hearts and soul, Barry Bonds would love to have; a World Championship.
If he had followed either of his fantastic seasons with a quiet, team first effort in the series with Atlanta, then he would have one or two rings and have gotten the money he desired anyway. Bush, like Bonds feels that money is respect and Bonds, at least, has learned that type of respect is false and empty, in deed.
