Robert Mayer-US Presswire
Years ago, would anyone think to mention ‘elite’ and ‘running back’ within the same sentence with Miami Dolphins RB Reggie Bush ?
Bush had always been a play-maker, don’t get me wrong; he just wasn’t a play-making every down back. His damage was done more on special teams.
In his first 12 games as a Dolphin, Bush only rushed for 100 yards once – that coming against the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.
But ironically enough, Bush’s assertions of claiming to be an every down back went into the fruition last year, after facing the Oakland Raiders.
Against the Raiders, Bush rushed 22 times for 100 yards and a touchdown. In that performance, the Dolphins won handedly 34-14.
Bush went onto finish the season with rushing performances of 103, 203, and 113 with one touchdown. Then, after having an off-week against the Houston Texans – in which he rushed for 69 yards in 14 attempts – Bush annihilated the very same Raiders team that gave him the confidence to begin with.
Bush rushed 26 times for 172 yards and two touchdowns. This propelled the Dolphins to a win with a similar score of the last meeting 35-13.
What does this mean for Bush fantasy wise?
Well, with those previous performances, Bush has gotten 10 or more fantasy points in his last six fantasy games. He has averaged 17.3 points in those games. Sounds like Arian Foster and Ray Rice type territory.
I’ve been skeptical of Bush as an every down back, perhaps thinking he’s just streaky. Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong. But Bush is showing the level of consistency needed, and as long as he can stay healthy, he’s worth being an everyday starter.
The Dolphins face the New York Jets next week. While the Jets are known as a great defensive team, they allowed Buffalo Bills RB, CJ Spiller, to have a monster game in the season opener.
Spiller, an eerily similar back to Bush, rushed 14 times for 169 yards and a touchdown.
With that said, I’d take a chance and start him.
