Whither Reggie?

New Orleans Saints RB and 2005 Heisman winner Reggie Bush counts $8m against the salary cap next season, and simply doesn't make sense to be on their roster next year. Here's a look at his production since getting drafted second overall by New Orleans in 2006:

He ain't pullin' up no tree stumps, as they say in places where people use such homilies. In his most active season (2007), he averaged 3.7 yards per carry. To put that in perspective, that would rank him 30th in the NFL this season (among RBs with at least 100 carries), behind such all-star names as Tim Hightower and Justin Fargas, behind Brandon Jacobs (who flat out sucks ass this season), and most importantly, behind the two other RBs on his team, Pierre Thomas (2nd in the NFL with 5.6 ypc) and Mike Bell (17th with 4.4 ypc). You don't pay a 3.7 ypc running back $8m a season, no matter how many Heismans he has at home.

Now, you sit and think about what you did.

Of course, Bush defenders will point out that he averages 5.0 ypc this season, but that's on only 55 rushes, fewer than such luminaries as Justin Forsett, Jamaal Charles and Tashard Choice (all of whom average over 5.0 ypc, incidentally). Anyone advocating paying Justin Forsett $8m a season?

I see two options here: either Bush restructures his deal significantly (and I mean significantly), or he's on the street come the end of the Saints' season. Either way, the Saints will not be paying him $8m to get 3.7 ypc, hurt his knee and be on the shelf for at least 6 games. So where does he end up?

New England Patriots
I know the Patriots always get brought up whenever an intriguing, flawed player is available (remember the Michael Vick saga this past summer?), but this one does seem to make some sense. Bill Belichick wouldn't expect 25 carries a game from him (he doesn't expect that from any RB), and would certainly find some creative ways to use him on reverses, screens, and as a slot receiver.  I just doubt whether the Patriots front office would be willing to meet Bush's wage demands. He would be a role player, at best. Belichick uses his RBs completely interchangeably, and the Patriots offense demands a 3rd-down back who can catch reliably and get yards after the catch. Bush could be the new Kevin Faulk.

Oakland Raiders
We all know how Al Davis loves speed. He drafted Darius Heyward-Bey based entirely on his 40 time. He drafted Michael Mitchell based on... forgetting the correct dosage of his meds? Anyway, Bush certainly has the measurables to get Al all hot and bothered. Counting against this one is the fact that Oakland already has three RBs who could potentially start (Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas, Michael Bush), but since when has logic played a role in Al Davis' free agency spending? Javon Walker anyone?

Philadelphia Eagles
They already rescued one over-hyped former first overall pick from the football scrap heap, so why not a second overall pick too? I don't see Brian Westbrook being a major factor in Philly next year. Given his age next season (31), history of knee, ankle, and foot problems, and now a repeated concussion issue, I'd say he's a possibility for retirement too. Bush fits the bill as a load-sharer with new starter LeSean McCoy, as he can play the Westbrook role as pass-catcher too.