Reggie Bush, newly signed by the Lions, calls playing in Detroit's offense "a running back's dream." He's right, especially when a running back's greatest asset is catching passes.
Bush averaged over 1,000 yards rushing in his two seasons in Miami, while not being used extensively as a receiver -- he averaged just 2.5 receptions per game. But wind the clock back to his years in New Orleans, and look at Detroit running backs over the past four seasons, and Bush's potential as a receiver looks dramatic.
Bush missed a lot of games in his five seasons in New Orleans, so we've projected his per-game reception numbers with the Saints over a 16-game season. (Except 2006, when he played all 16 games.) Below that, we show running back receptions in each of the last four seasons in Detroit's pass-happy offense. If he stays healthy -- as he was able to in Miami -- he could reasonably approach 100 receptions in 2013.
Bush receptions, yards in New Orleans (projected over 16 games)
Year No Yds
2010 68 416
2009 54 383
2008 83 704
2007 97 556
2006 88 742
Lions running back receptions, 2009-2012
Year No Yds Lead RBs
2012 99 793 Joique Bell, Mikel Leshoure, Kevin Smith
2011 85 770 Jahvid Best, Maurice Morris, Kevin Smith
2010 110 879 Jahvid Best, Maurice Morris, Kevin Smith
2009 99 842 Kevin Smith, Maurice Morris
--Andy Richardson