Reggie Bush’s Goal Of Leading Rusher Set Too High

If you listen to Reggie Bush, he will be the NFL’s leading rusher this year.  If you ask him why he thinks that he will tell you this,

"“I believe in setting the highest goals possible,” Bush said, via the Associated Press. “If you’re not setting the highest standards for yourself, then you don’t belong in this game.”"

If you want to lose weight, a trainer will tell you to set realistic goals instead of goals you likely will not earn.  If you ask them why, the will tell you this,

"“setting unrealistic goals will only serve to discourage you.  If you can’t realistically meet those goals, then anything you do accomplish will be viewed as failure.”"

Sorry Reggie, but there is no way you are going to reach the goal of being the NFL’s leading rusher.

Bush, in his six years in the NFL has only rushed for over a thousand yards once, coming in just under 1,100 yards last season with the Dolphins.  Under Tony Sparano’s run oriented offense it was more surprising that Reggie Bush stayed healthy all year as opposed to rushing for this best yardage output of his career.  This however is not Tony Sparano’s offense.  It’s Joe Philbins and it is a “west coast” offense.

If Bush wanted to be “realistic” he would have said that his goal would be to rush for another 900-1,000 yards but lead the league in combined yardage.  In this offense, Bush is more likely to attain the receptions and reception yardage numbers for all running-backs.  From behind center, Bush is going to give up time to Daniel Thomas and Steve Slaton and will need to hold off losing touches to rookie Lamar Miller.

The Dolphins don’t want to get Bush physically wasted so they will split his duties with the other backs.  It’s not ideal for Bush who is entering a contract year.  It’s not likely going to be a banner years in next season free agent market where runners have suddenly become one of the least sought after positions on the field.  With more and more teams moving to a two back style approach, the days of record breaking rushing seasons could be coming to an end or at least going on hiatus for a few years until teams turn back towards using featured back offenses.

Bush can be patted on the back for making such bold statements and I’m sure there are plenty out there who will agree that setting lofty goals is paramount to the drive to succeed.  At some point though, the reality of those comments will only serve as a reminder of what you were not able to accomplish and be used as an example of far off you really came.

If Bush want’s to set goals, he should  be a little more realistic.  I know that no one is going to come out and say, “I want to finish 3rd overall in the NFL rushing leaders” but it’s just a little much to buy into the whole number 1.  Perhaps the best goal is to go out and stay healthy and do whatever it takes to help the team win.  The rest will take care of itself.

But hey, here’s to Reggie Bush, may he get the NFL’s rushing title to replace the Heisman he gave back earlier this week.