Payton Says Reggie Stays

The Times Picayune reported New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton giving assurances that running back Reggie Bush will remain with the organization in 2010 despite the massive up tick in his salary.

“He’ll be with us. He’s not going anywhere,” said Payton while in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine.

Under the reported terms of his contract, the celebrithete is due $8,000,000 in 2010. By contrast, quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees made $13,000,000 in base salary and bonuses in 2009.

According to USA Today, Bush is already the highest paid running back in the NFL despite ranking 48th in rushing yards and 26th in rushing touchdowns.

Maybe it’s his marketing value or Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis are just that enamored with him as a player. Or maybe they’re just buying time to evaluate their other options.

Bush hasn’t played a 16 game season since his rookie year. And former Saints running back Deuce McAllister isn’t losing sleep that his franchise record is in any danger from Bush as number Twenty-Five racked up his fewest rushing yard total of his professional career, 390.

Bush also had his least receptions, receiving yards and had a disappointing season as punt returner.

Any objective observer recognizes that Bush isn’t living up to his pricey contract, perhaps even less so than perennial fan punching bag defensive end Charles Grant. Then against, Grant doesn’t make plays that end up on the cover of SI or sell as many jerseys.
Despite the recent comments by Payton, the Onside Kick’s position regarding Bush’s future with the Saints can be appropriately punned as such: watch for the fake.