Nikolozi’s Crazy Idea of the Week: Debut Edition

It’s one of the worst kept secrets in the NFL that, despite what they are saying, the Saints are not going to bring back Reggie Bush for his huge salary, adding him to a backfield that already features Chris Ivory, Pierre Thomas and now Mark Ingram. But, despite the fact that the Chiefs obviously already have a productive backfield, adding Bush could stil turn out to be a brilliant idea – here’s why.

Bush is basically a luxury, and like Jamaal, he’s not likely to be incredibly durable in the long run. Not a problem. Thomas Jones and Jackie Battle can continue to grab the ugly 3-4 yard gains up the gut, while finesse runners Reggie and Jamaal can be used for the all sorts of special plays that could utilize both of their dynamic abilities.

Imagine this lineup: Bowe, Baldwin and McCluster out wide with Bush and Charles in the backfield. You send Baldwin on a go route straight down field. On the other side, Bowe runs a 12-yard comeback that he is so good at and uses his body to stay open on the sidelines. Bush and McCluster attack seams in the zones in the middle of the field and Charles goes out in the flat. You could easily interchange McCluster with Moeki at TE as well. Where are their safeties going to go? Tell me how you defend that.

Then, out of the same lineup you can run a counter to the strong side with Charles, or fake it and toss it to Bush for a weak side sweep. The list goes on.

I know it’s hard to imagine us improving upon our already dominant run-game, but adding Bush as both a runner and a passer would give Haley and Cassel a new playmaker that will really screw with opposing defenses. With Bush and Charles on the field, you essentially have two extra legit passing threats. With this kind of lineup we will get defenses going to the nickel even when we only have two WR’s on the field. Think of the holes that’ll open up for our runners. If they don’t – fine, let some middle linebacker try to keep up with Bush in coverage. Either way, we win.

If for some reason the Saints keep Bush, or competition for him is fierce — which I doubt because he is such a specialty player — then I say go for Darren Sproles if he becomes a free agent under the new deal. In the end, I would probably be willing to pay slightly more for Sproles simply because signing him means taking him away from the Chargers. No matter what, the Chiefs have plenty of cap room and if Clark Hunt wants to pay for the Arrowhead renovations he’s gotta spend some money to make money.

Nikolozi, out.