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Jeff Duncan, the beat writer for The Times-Picayune, addresses the running back situation with the Saints in his blog today.
Duncan says he expects Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush to share time, with Mike Bell also probably seeing a few snaps per game.
"We're talking semantics here," Duncan writes. "If Thomas is the No. 1 back, then Bush is No. 1A. I expect Thomas to get more traditional carries and Bush to get more catches, but in the end both players to total a similar number of touches."
According to Duncan, Brees considers Thomas to be the team's starting tailback. "I think that Pierre is our No. 1 back and can do that job. I feel like Reggie can be able to step in and do a great job ... but certainly I think Pierre Thomas is the total package," Brees said.
To see the entire blog, click here.
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Posted by JODY SMITH | Jun. 17 at 04:24 AM
I think it's best for the Saints to return to the game plan they used in 2006, where Bush was a much more effective player down the stretch splitting time with Deuce Mcallister. Assuming Bush can stay healthy, do you think he can approach 10 total touchdowns this year?
Posted by John Evans | Jun. 17 at 08:07 AM
Pierre Thomas is going to have a great season. In limited work for the past two years, he has put up huge numbers in the few opportunities that have been given to him. I think that he is going to be a guy that is probably going to go in the 3rd-4th round...but could very well put up 1st round numbers. He also is an excellent receiver (though not as good as Bush)...and he will probably pick up an extra 350-450 yards & 3-5 TDs through the air. Thomas was a solid last year...and this year he has added 10 lbs of muscle to his legs (and it shows) in hopes that the Saints use him as their goal line specialist. Bush will likely be used the way that he was used in year 1. He will probably get about 10 carries a game, with half of them from the slot on reverses and end arounds. If he stay healthy, he could very well lead the league in receptions. Of course he is money in PPR leagues. He running improved drastically before his injury last season. He will likely go rounds 3-5...and is a boom-bust player depending on injury outcome. Can he approach 10 total TDs this year? That is a joke. If he stays healthy...he will blow that number away. Heck...he was hurt for most of last year and missed multiple games with injury and still put up 9 TDs. He lead the league in scoring before his injury...so really it is a matter of whether or not he can stay healthy. He played in all 16 games as a rookie...and the Saints will likely use him like he was used in year 1 in hopes to keep him on the field.
Posted by Duane Stay | Jun. 17 at 08:36 AM
I agree that Bush (if healthy) will get 10 tds. One thing to remember, is the fact that punt returns or maybe kickoff returns will be part of his td's. Depending on your league scoring system some td's won't be worth much. I think the ppr league members will benefit, because of his pass catching skills.
Posted by JODY SMITH | Jun. 17 at 09:28 AM
Love the confidence you guys have. I'm in a keeper/TD only league where all TD (including returns and passes) are worth 6. I'll keep Brees and Barber, but still deciding between Bush or Gore. In my league a TD pass from Brees to Bush is a 12 point play, so that's an added bonus to look forward to...
Posted by Brian Grzybowski | Jun. 17 at 03:30 PM
I'm staying away from this mess. The Saints don't run the ball well enough or often enough. They've finished 26th in attempts and yards gained two years in a row. Last year they out-rushed only Indianapolis, Cinncinnati, Arizona, and Detroit. When you get the magazine turn to the back and look at The Saints team capsule. You'll note that the highest yardage obtained by a Saints runner is 102 yards. A Saints runner only topped 75 yards on 3 other occasions. In their first game against Atlanta the top rusher had 30 yards and was named Devery Henderson. Rushing production and wins go hand-in-hand. Any list that shows team rushing stats has a bunch of playoff teams at the top. The Saints can't close out games because of their rushing deficiencies and don't play in a weak division like Arizona. If the words "Reggie Bush" enter my mind in the 4th round I'll just close my eyes and say "Anthony Gonzales." I'll snag Shonn Greene in the next to last round instead like I did with Steve Slaton last year.