So who's going to be more successful in the NFL? Most of you already know that I'm not in the Bush camp, but LenDale really showed me a lot in the Rose Bowl. He's much faster than I had originally thought, and runs a legit 4.5. At 6'2, 235 he's got the type of power to pound it between the tackles and wear down a defense. Over the course of an NFL season, a RB needs to be able to withstand the punishment from handling the ball 25 times a game. To me, White has the tackle breaking ability to move the chains on 3rd and 3 type situations. Meanwhile, Bush has awesome open field moves, but the game is much faster in the NFL. He doesn't have the ability to break tackles like White does. Nor is he the type of back that you can count on to move the chains. In short, he's not the horse that LenDale White will be in the NFL. Bush should be a successful pro as a hybrid WR/TB, but not an every down running back. Green Bay is said to be enamored with LenDale, and probably will pick him up with the #5 spot if he decides to leave USC early.
This is just like Sanders vs. Smith or Sanders vs. thurman thomas. although Sanders was probably more of an every down prospect.
Those two remind me of two Auburn teammates who got drafted last year. Cadillac Williams (5-11 217) has a similar build and running style (outside runner)as Bush (6-0 200) and White(6-2 235) was used mostly as a bruiser for short yardage just like Ronnie Brown(6-0 232). Williams held his own in the leauge and they were saying the exact same thing about him such as he's too small, he needs to get thicker, he won't be able to run between the tackles yaddy yaddy ya..... Sure he got injured but that's because Tampa overused him as a rookie but he ended up finishing strong and the rest is history...With DD sharing the load ala White then Bush will be well rested and his body will adjust better to the rigors of the NFL.
Let's make a chart in comparing Reggie Bush's and LenDale White's strenghts. First, LenDale White: - Better in short yardage situations and running over people because he's bigger. Reggie Bush: - Better at everything else.
From a few scouts via ESPN NFL Insider: As for Bush, he still projects as the probable No. 1 pick in April's draft by the Houston Texans. "He still did enough Superman stunts to make you say, 'Wow,'" said one personnel man. "There aren't many players who make you go, 'Wow,' so he's got tremendous value to a team. Maybe he's not a 4.2 guy [in the 40] but he's got plenty of juice." Now, USC running back LenDale White had all these guys pretty excited. "That's an NFL back," said one scout. "He's 220 pounds-plus and he will be a big-timer in our league. He won't dazzle, but he's the type of guy with the right team who can win a rushing title and score a lot of touchdowns."
You can't simple run to the outside in the NFL, as DBs and LBs are much faster at that level. That being said, Reggie Bush won't be able to change direction and cutback to avoid the initial hit. He can't wear down opposing defenses, and he'll be more of a Brian Westbrook type of back.
Tiki Barber and Warrick Dunn- combined for over 3,200 yards rushing last year. Caddillac Williams, another smallish, quick back had an outstanding rookie campaign.
None of the aforementioned guys are franchise backs like LT or Shaun Alexander. With the #1 overall pick, you have to hit a home run.
LenDale is good but nowhere near as versitle as Ronnie Brown. Brown could catch, block, do it all. If LenDale was a good blocker you would think USC would have him and Bush in their more. I would expect LenDale to be mid to late 1st round unless he runs a sub 4.5 or something at the combine. Heck Stephen Jackson lasted until then (late 1st) and he was more refined as a player with a similar frame. Cadillac and Tiki were proven workhorses in college, and consistently productive inside or outside guys in college, Bush is not. Cad also went closer to 220, he he closer to Thomlinson's or the Edge's frame (particularly lower body strength) than Reggie Bush's frame. Dunn, who had a more similar college game than Bush, has been better and more durable than I expected in the pros, I do admit. It is possible Bush falls somewhere between Dunn and Faulk, that would be one heck of a pro back. But I am not sold Bush will be that durable nor can sustain the pounding those guys could. Most durable smaller (< 220LBs) RBs (Payton, Emitt, Sanders) are much more compact and with thinker lower bodies than Bush. Some smaller RBs are freaks and don't get injured much (Dorsett, Faulk, Barber, Dunn), but I don't see how we can know whether Bush falls in that category, the fact he has not carried it a lot in college should not instill a ton of confidence he will have a sure fire long pro career. That is why it is not a "safer" or more sure fire pick to take Bush over VY or Leinart. If any Leinart is the "safest" prospect in the draft, but probably has lower upside than VY or Bush.
I like LW, but we won't pick him...For the long term, LW will be better...To sell tickets & good PR, pick Bush, although I'm still hoping VY is picked by us...
Reggie Bush has a similar build to LT, and has very similar skills. Hell they train together. Bush will be that type of player.
LT has 21 carries per game. Bush is a 15-20 guy, who will probably get 4 catches a game. Not much of a difference even using conservative numbers.
Tomlinson carried the ball 21.19 times per game this year and last year. He has never carried the ball 25 times per game. If you count receptions, then its about 24 touches per game. But then you would also include Bush's kick and punt returns as touches.
