It isn't a question of whether Reggie Bush will take a pay cut, only for which NFL team he will play at a reduced salary.
And I'm thinking that it shouldn't be theNew Orleans Saints.
Honestly, considering the consistent decline of Bush's numbers -- his combined rushing/receiving yards have dropped every season since 2006, his rookie year, and the number of games he has played each season nearly has done the same -- there's reason to believe he'll never again match those career highs of 1,307 yards from scrimmage and 16 regular-season games in '06.
In most NFL cities, the word for a player like that, who's scheduled to earn $11.8 million and count $16 million against the salary cap, is "luxury" rather than "necessity." The label is "situational" rather than "star." And the Saints, to their credit, have proven time and again that their offense doesn't dip in production when Bush's multiple talents aren't available.
So if Bush were to be cut because the Saints need to purge salary, and not re-signed because the franchise believes it can function smoothly without him or because he believes he's more valuable and should be better compensated than the Saints are willing to offer, it's not like it would signal the end of New Orleans' offense as we know it.
It's not as if his role has amounted to much more than cameo appearances the past few seasons, a role he obviously believes will dwindle now that the Saints have added first-round pick Mark Ingram to the mix at running back.
The fact is, Bush has nothing with which to leverage the Saints.
That's not to say he can't still be a useful player for the Saints, capable of producing several "Wow" plays per season. Bush may no longer be a game-breaker, and no longer may be the decoy he's chalked up to be -- it's hard to be either when you're not wearing pads on gameday -- but few coaches have worked harder than Saints Coach Sean Payton to max out Bush's appearances.
And the truth is, because of that final fact, Bush actually would be better off if he found a way to remain a Saint.
Obviously, Payton probably isn't -- and shouldn't be -- interested in giving up on Bush, his first draft pick as a head coach, a player who was exactly what the franchise needed when it returned to New Orleans after its temporary, Katrina-forced relocation to San Antonio.
But that star wattage has dimmed considerably, a dip paralleled by his increased inability to make people miss and to stay healthy.
Arguably, Bush has made bigger headlines off the field for his love interests, Heisman Trophy scandal and tweets than he has made on the field for ankle-breaking cuts, world-class speed and supreme athleticism in his career.
So whoever believes the Saints can't make due without his contribution simply is blinded by loyalty, or stuck on the belief that we haven't yet seen the best of Bush.
I'll admit there seems to be validity to that stance. Bush only is 26, an age at which athletes are in or are entering their physical prime. He doesn't have a ton of wear on his body. He has played in 60 of a possible 80 regular-season games. He's a fabulous receiver and on occasion. He reminds Saints fans why they were so euphoric when the Texans chose defensive end Mario Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in '06, which dropped Bush into New Orleans' lap.
But wilting numbers and a lack of availability say the Saints comfortably can make due without Bush.
The addition of Ingram, the return to health of Pierre Thomas, the improvement of Chris Ivory and the likelihood that New Orleans can find another player who can average 7.8 yards per punt return, say that Bush isn't irreplaceable as a running back and returner.
Everyone knows his value is diminished, which is why we all know he won't pocket anything close to the salary he's scheduled to make this season.
The only uncertainty is whether the Saints will be the franchise picking up the smaller tab.
They shouldn't, based on previous returns on the investment, returns that have been diminishing.
That's not to suggest the franchise doesn't want to retain Bush, or that he doesn't want to hang around for the right price. But a compelling, convincing stance can be taken that the Saints don't need Bush, regardless of price, that his decrease in productivity is a career arc.
And it's always best to part ways before the player totally bottoms out.
And I'm thinking that it shouldn't be theNew Orleans Saints.
Honestly, considering the consistent decline of Bush's numbers -- his combined rushing/receiving yards have dropped every season since 2006, his rookie year, and the number of games he has played each season nearly has done the same -- there's reason to believe he'll never again match those career highs of 1,307 yards from scrimmage and 16 regular-season games in '06.
In most NFL cities, the word for a player like that, who's scheduled to earn $11.8 million and count $16 million against the salary cap, is "luxury" rather than "necessity." The label is "situational" rather than "star." And the Saints, to their credit, have proven time and again that their offense doesn't dip in production when Bush's multiple talents aren't available.
So if Bush were to be cut because the Saints need to purge salary, and not re-signed because the franchise believes it can function smoothly without him or because he believes he's more valuable and should be better compensated than the Saints are willing to offer, it's not like it would signal the end of New Orleans' offense as we know it.
It's not as if his role has amounted to much more than cameo appearances the past few seasons, a role he obviously believes will dwindle now that the Saints have added first-round pick Mark Ingram to the mix at running back.
The fact is, Bush has nothing with which to leverage the Saints.
That's not to say he can't still be a useful player for the Saints, capable of producing several "Wow" plays per season. Bush may no longer be a game-breaker, and no longer may be the decoy he's chalked up to be -- it's hard to be either when you're not wearing pads on gameday -- but few coaches have worked harder than Saints Coach Sean Payton to max out Bush's appearances.
And the truth is, because of that final fact, Bush actually would be better off if he found a way to remain a Saint.
Obviously, Payton probably isn't -- and shouldn't be -- interested in giving up on Bush, his first draft pick as a head coach, a player who was exactly what the franchise needed when it returned to New Orleans after its temporary, Katrina-forced relocation to San Antonio.
Arguably, Bush has made bigger headlines off the field for his love interests, Heisman Trophy scandal and tweets than he has made on the field for ankle-breaking cuts, world-class speed and supreme athleticism in his career.
So whoever believes the Saints can't make due without his contribution simply is blinded by loyalty, or stuck on the belief that we haven't yet seen the best of Bush.
I'll admit there seems to be validity to that stance. Bush only is 26, an age at which athletes are in or are entering their physical prime. He doesn't have a ton of wear on his body. He has played in 60 of a possible 80 regular-season games. He's a fabulous receiver and on occasion. He reminds Saints fans why they were so euphoric when the Texans chose defensive end Mario Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in '06, which dropped Bush into New Orleans' lap.
But wilting numbers and a lack of availability say the Saints comfortably can make due without Bush.
The addition of Ingram, the return to health of Pierre Thomas, the improvement of Chris Ivory and the likelihood that New Orleans can find another player who can average 7.8 yards per punt return, say that Bush isn't irreplaceable as a running back and returner.
Everyone knows his value is diminished, which is why we all know he won't pocket anything close to the salary he's scheduled to make this season.
The only uncertainty is whether the Saints will be the franchise picking up the smaller tab.
They shouldn't, based on previous returns on the investment, returns that have been diminishing.
That's not to suggest the franchise doesn't want to retain Bush, or that he doesn't want to hang around for the right price. But a compelling, convincing stance can be taken that the Saints don't need Bush, regardless of price, that his decrease in productivity is a career arc.
And it's always best to part ways before the player totally bottoms out.
