Reggie Bush wants bad weather
Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush (21) acknowledges the crowd after defeating the Green Bay Packers 40-10 during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush has always been one of the most elusive players in the game, and his ability to juke out defenders is nearly unparalleled. In his first season with the Lions, Bush has been more than what this team bargained for with 854 rushing yards on 180 carries (4.7 yards per carry) and 45 receptions for 448 yards (as well as five total touchdowns). The Lions sought to final add a feature back and get an explosive pass-catcher out of the backfield, and they have two such players now due to the emergence of No. 2 RB Joique Bell.
The Lions will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles this week for what should be a great game between two playoff contenders, and Bush is looking forward to seeing some bad weather in Philly on Sunday. Here’s what he said, via MLive.com’s Justin Rogers, “I actually welcome it and I love playing in the bad weather conditions. I feel like it’s an advantage for the running backs because the defenders, safeties and the linebackers don’t know which way we are going. Anytime we can make a move and get them off balance, especially in bad weather and in mud, that’s a win for the running back.”
Game conditions against the Eagles are expected to be poor, as the temperature will likely be below 40 with some sort of precipitation expected as well. I love this quote from Bush, because it gives logical insight on how bad weather benefits running backs based on his personal experience. Elusive backs especially hurt defenders, because bad tackling is already commonplace enough when trying to stop a guy with Bush’s agility. And when you combine that with slippery conditions, it just becomes that much harder.
It’s why Bush disagreed with Jim Schwartz’s statement that the Lions played Bell instead of Bush due to the conditions at Heinz, and that’s because Bush’s running style suits poor conditions well.