by Erik Klackner
The hype machine has been in full force in the last month, incessantly pounding two words into our collective psyche until we have little choice but to become wide-eyed and carry on with the business of singing his praises: Reggie Bush.
Words that are normally reserved for the likes of Presidents and Popes are tossed Bush’s way: ‘once in a lifetime,’ ’special,’ ‘ordained by God.’ And with good reason; Bush is the odds on favorite to hoist the Heisman Trophy and is the key cog on a potential back-to-back-to-back National Championship squad. He is already the jewel in the eye of every NFL team for next April’s draft, though as of right now only a handful of teams have a realistic chance at screwing up more than their opponents enough to secure his rights.
Here in 49erLand, a place that smells terrific by the way, the talk is of a reunion between Bush and his Helix High School teammate, quarterback Alex Smith, this season’s #1 overall pick. Though the 49ers are currently not in the prime Bush position (which looks suspiciously like the way you’d look if you were on the receiving end of an enema), there is still a chance for them to lock up the #1 pick for the second consecutive year, provided they can lose the rest of their games.I believe I might be the only person who is not on board the Bush Wagon of Happiness, but it is not from lack of trying. I want to believe. I really do. But this entire ordeal seems like an exercise in futility to me.
On a list of the 49ers needs, running back ranks somewhere in the bottom third in my estimation. Kevan Barlow, while not having benchmark numbers to show for his efforts, has improved from last season, and looks similar to the back that showed so much promise in 2003. Unfortunately, the offensive line looks nothing similar to 2003, and it has cost the offense immeasurably. Meanwhile, Frank Gore leads all rookie running backs in yards per carry despite the patchwork line, and has shown a tremendous ability to make plays, though he has battled injuries of late (which is cause for concern, though these injuries have nothing to do with his much publicized knee troubles).
Conversely, the young and inexperienced WR and QB corps have struggled through injuries and the very same unstable offensive line, providing virtually zero threat through the air.
What does all this mean?
It means I don’t want Reggie Bush. I don’t deny the man’s talent. I don’t deny the fact that he makes plays that very few people in history could have made. But one has to sort through the flash and razz-ma-tazz to see that there are still questions.
Can Bush run between the tackles? Can he earn the tough yards after contact? Can he carry the football 25 times a game? USC has another pretty good running back named LenDale White that does all those things, thereby enabling Bush to play his dynamic all-around game. In short, is Reggie Bush a true feature back that you can rely on to win you football games?
I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know that there is not sufficient evidence to suggest it. Other running backs coming through the draft in years past have certainly shared the load (one need look no further than last season when Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams were both top 5 picks), but they did not have 1/10th of the hype that Reggie Bush carries. Furthermore, both Brown and Williams had proven they could earn the tough yards required in the NFL playing in the brutal SEC. Bush certainly makes people look very silly with his amazing agility and moves, but they don’t miss like that in The League.
Despite my concerns with his ability to translate with the same effectiveness from college to pro football, I still would not have qualms about him being drafted #1, because his talent is indeed undeniable. But should the 49ers end up in the top spot, would the selection of Bush make much sense?
I don’t think so. Unless the 49ers effectively wasted a 3rd round selection on Frank Gore in last year’s draft. You don’t spend #1 pick scratch on a guy who’s going to split carries. You only toss that kind of coin to someone who is going to carry your team on his own legs, at least in my world where feature backs are true feature backs (and where candy is free for children under age 10).
While the consensus that the 49ers need offensive playmakers is something I completely agree with, I don’t believe that you can just pick any playmaker regardless of position, simply because the salary cap makes it virtually impossible to do so without restricting everything else on your team. Ideally, the 49ers could use a true #1 receiver to supplement Brandon Lloyd and Arnaz Battle, but that player might not be available in this draft. They could also desperately use a tight end to provide that presence in the middle of the field that they have so clearly missed with Eric Johnson sidelined this season; this draft is very deep at tight end with the likes of Mercedes Lewis, Vernon Davis, Leonard Pope, and Dominique Byrd.
Additionally, the 49ers will most likely need to add a linebacker as Julian Peterson, Derek Smith, and Andre Carter are all free agents. It is unlikely that the team will be able to re-sign all three, so the draft is the likely target for a replacement, again at a very deep position with AJ Hawk, Chad Greenway, Ahmad Brooks, Abdul Hodge, and Demeco Ryans all available. The secondary could also use some assistance, possibly in the form of Jimmy Williams from Virginia Tech.
At the end of the day, while Reggie Bush is unquestionably a special talent who COULD have a tremendous career in the NFL, he absolutely does not fit into the needs of the 49ers at this juncture. They clearly have several other more pressing needs than running back, and in my opinion drafting Bush would only cripple the team in other areas. Should the 49ers end up with Bush, I most certainly will be excited, but probably a bit more tempered than most.
Besides, who’s to say the 49ers will even be in a position to create that dream Bush/Gore backfield tandem? Unfortunately Green Bay, New York, and Houston all have something to say about that. But hey, at least Florida doesn’t.
