Source: Reggie Bush not returning to Miami Dolphins

Yes but let's entertain the thought that he does fit the scheme ... just not as the one cut runner

 

We also heard a lot of talk that Matt Moore doesn't fit the scheme so would sign elsewhere. Guess that wasn't true so there is a fair to middling chance that it's same with Bush.

 

If you ever have the chance view some games via NFL Game Rewind (coaches tape) and tell me Bush doesn't miss a good number of large holes inside as he continuously tries to bounce outside. I understand what you're saying, but the tape would not support the notion that Moore is not a fit for this offense. The tape does however show how much Reggie left on the field in his pursuit of leading the league in rushing.

I like Reggie, he played hard and operated like a true professional, but honestly we can do much, much better at the position within the natural framework of this offense.

If I'm wrong, so be it. I have no problems living up to it. I can take a lot of **** and smile at you as you throw it because every dog has his day. (Not you specifically) I just think there is too much tape of him leaving yardage on the field for him to be back to be honest. Not with Miller already here. You don't need a lead guy, you need a role player, and there are plenty of those with adequate speed available in the draft.

 

For all the talk of his not fitting the system, Reggie did average about 1300 total yards, 7.5 TDs, and a 4.6 ypc in 2 seasons here. He's not a projection into the system -- we have seen him in it. And that 4.6 UPC was not due to exceptional run blocking. He's a good player, a hard worker and a playmaker. I hope we keep him.

 

He played better his first year in a different system.

No two ways about. His stats were better in year 1.

 

One thing though, the better year occurred in a different system. The year in this system, his numbers went down aside from receiving TD's. His receiving stats were similar, but not the same, and his rushing production went down while receiving more carries.

 

The 2nd year he played with a knee injury for a few games. He was doing fine till that Jets game.

 

Ding ding ding that's my point. What if the role they see for him isn't the one cut run through the hole back?

I mean, they saw him double Hartline's TD reception count in just one game. What if, what if, they see Miller carrying the ball primarily, with Reggie all over the field? I'm just guessing because I'm no offensive scheme guru. But if they're interested, they're interested. Nobody had a better look at him then they did

 

You're not wrong at all. Around mid-season the run game shifted away from the bread and butter stuff Bush was struggling thing to more man blocking and pin and pull plays. Bush couldn't hack it with the plays they wanted to run and I'm not sure what exactly the argument to the contrary could be. They benched him, they switched the blocking scheme in front of him, and now they're letting him walk in free agency with little interest.

Note that until the Jets game consists of two games, and he had very much the same issues he had latter. The first half of that Raiders game was pretty indicative of his issues with cutback lanes he had all year.

 

But why would you pay your part time, role player more than your starter. That will not sit well with many, no matter how well he's liked in the locker room.

And if we did have a better look, don't you think that factors in to why we haven't offered him a contract or been in contact with him as far as we can tell?

There's not really a role of 'not a one cut runner', its a running style not a genre. Its who he is, and it will cause problems within the offense to a degree.

The knee injury wasn't hurting him at the end of the year when he was still missing holes. I agree for about a month he wasn't himself, but after that his play picked up, but he still left too much on the field.

 

Up until the injury against the Jets, Bush had rushed for 301 yards on 50 carries for a ypc of over 6. He was either first or 2nd in the NFL in rushing. He was "hacking it" just fine with the plays they were running (and presumably wanted to run).

The injury clearly affected him for a few games. Other than the 3 games after the injury, Reggie averaged 4.8 ypc which is pretty comparable to his 2011 numbers. And let's not pretend that we were doing no zone blocking or cutback running in 2011 either.

Yeah, he was "benched" for part of one game due to a fumble. He was averaging 5+ yards per carry in that game. And he was back splitting carries 4 days later and as the primary ballcarrier the following week. I like Miller, but he was "benched" in 7 games in which he didn't get a single carry. With the exception of one 28 yard run, Miller averaged only 3.5 ypc after week 3.

Every back leaves some yards on the field. I guess I see the glass as half full and appreciate the good things that Reggie does and his overall solid production.

 

C'mon, that happens all the time when the starter is on his rookie contract. Hell, the Dolphins just signed Matt Moore to a contract that has a 2013 salary that is twice what Tannehill's is. Do we need to brace ourselves for a locker room revolt because of that?

There are reports that the dolphins have made contract offers and continue to be in contact with Reggie's agent.

It is who is he, but the issue is how much of a "degree." If the "problems" take the form of a 4+ ypc average as part of a RB rotation, I'm fine with it. This team has much bigger problems and can do much worse.

 

Difference is, you're not splitting touches between Moore and Tannehill. You are for a running back. Its not like a WR or DE, its a running back by committee and no that won't work well for very long. Especially if the younger guy outproduces. If so then yeah it will get difficult, which is what happens all the time when the backup makes more and is seeing time.

Hence a hold out.

 

That's counterlogical. Moore is getting paid twice the salary that Tannehill is and he isn't even going to be playing. Barring injury, Tannehill will get all the reps.

Players understand how rookie contracts work. They won't get ruffled by the fact that a veteran who has played well here and been a hard working guy is gettign paid more than a rookie. By your logic, the Dolphins are absolutely limited to the draft or players who have been in the league only 1 year to find a replacement for Reggie. Miller is making $480k in 2013. That effectively rules out any kind of veteran replacement for Reggie because any vet FA will make more than $480k. Insisting that Miller will hold out 3 years from now because he was getting paid less on his rookie contract (which is pre-set by the CBA) than a veteran is silly.

 

The fact they chose to franchise Starks and not Bush says basically everything about this FO.

 

That they correctly valued Starks higher than Bush?

 

That they make good decisions?

 

That makes it worse. Moore is making more (huh?) and is holding a clipboard.

 

You can spin it any way you want. Bush is very unlikely to return to this team IMO. I have highlighted my reasons. If they make sense to you so be it, if not, so be it. Thats what I think, and honestly going over it again and again will not change what I've said. Nor am I interested in beating someone over the head to get them to change their position. I don't particularly agree that he will return for the reasons I've outlined, after that things will run their natural course regardless of what I say.

If I'm right, big deal, if I'm wrong same goes for that too.

 

I think we need a better idea of what skills Lamar Miller has right now, and will have by the beginning of 2013's season opener, if he is the planned starter.

From a fan's viewpoint, I am concerned that we will have more mistakes in blocking, in execution, and thus more busted plays, more protection breakdowns, mistakes, and flags and tackles for a loss with Miller in there. If it happens twice a game, that's too much. I base this concern over seeing him make mental errors a couple times in limited snaps over the season.

I am similarly concerned that we end up limited in our playbook AGAIN. Even if the rest of the offense has caught up and is in year two, will we need a pared down offensive play selection so Miller can handle it? If so, we will lose some of the offensive jump we could have made this year.

 

All signs indicate he will be a Detroit Lion in the next few min.

 

Detroit were always my 'second' team, so will be glad if that's true as can still cheer him on most of the time. Will be a good signing for them as they've needed a running threat for a few years now.