Reggie Bush may have finally found his niche in the NFL. After he was taken with the second overall pick in the 2006 draft, Bush went on to become somewhat of a bust. The Saints selected him hoping that he would have game-changing ability, but Bush never ran for more than 600 yards in any of his five seasons in New Orleans. With Miami this season, he is just 27 yards shy of the 1,000-yard rushing mark and is coming off a 206-yard performance against Buffalo. Bush credits former coach Tony Sparano.
“Just told him that I really appreciated him for bringing me in here, for believing in me, for giving me this opportunity to come here,” Bush said according to the Palm Beach Post, explaining that he had called Sparano after Sunday’s win. “Because if it wasn’t for him believing in me, I wouldn’t be here. I don’t know where I’d be, and I appreciate him for a lot and I told him that and I thanked him and look forward to working with him again in the near future, wherever that may be.”
There were very few — if any — coaches in the NFL that believed Bush could be an every-down back. In fact, you have to wonder if Sparano even thought he could be. The Dolphins were high on Daniel Thomas coming into the season before he started battling injuries. Early on, it looked as though it would be an even split in Miami with Thomas potentially getting the larger share of the carries. Still, it was Sparano who gave Bush his shot.
“He’s a good coach, and an even better person. Couldn’t be happier to be able to know a guy like coach Sparano,” Bush said. “We all wanted to get this win for coach Sparano today. This win was for him.”
To the Dolphins credit, they avoided all the suck for Luck talk when they were 0-7 and have clawed their way back to a 5-9 record. If it is Sparano who inspired them to do so, he certainly deserves a little credit even if his dismissal was warranted.
