New Orleans — The New Orleans Saints drafted Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Reggie Bush dreaming of him running the football for them.
But he’d no sooner hit town for the team’s first minicamp before they told him to slow down and take it easy.
Bush, who strained his hamstring during his first minicamp practice Saturday morning, spent the rest of the weekend mostly watching the drills.
“Obviously I’d love to be on the field and practicing, so it’s frustrating right now. But it’s still early, too,” said Bush, who participated in walkthrough sessions. “It didn’t feel worse today, but it’s just not 100 percent. So, obviously there’s no reason to push it and risk any further injury.”
The decision to hold back, Bush said, was made collectively with the coaches and training staff.
“I don’t think it’s a long-term thing. And at the same time, I don’t want it to turn into one,” Saints coach Sean Payton said.
Bush, like the rest of the Saints’ rookies, will begin his involvement in the team’s offseason workout program this week. His next chance to take the field will be at the team’s full-squad minicamp from June 2-4.
Bush stayed involved mentally during his stay on the sidelines by following the play sheet.
“I was still able to follow along and learn the plays,” he said. “It didn’t feel worse, but it’s just not 100 percent. There’s no reason to push it and risk any further injury if it’s not 100 percent.”
Coach Sean Payton said it was important that Bush learn as much as he can even when he’s not participating in drills.
“He needs to get up to speed with what we’re doing,” Payton said. Bush was able to run when he wanted, racing forward at the end of the last practice to haul in a kick that was falling a good 15 yards in front of where he had set up to receive it.
Bush’s exceptional speed, his ability to quickly change speeds, and his agility is what Saints fans and coaches alike are so eager to see.
Sports
Related Photos
Saints watch Bush
- Sports
-
-
Gaudin returns to Hancock
Rocky Gaudin is back as the head football coach at Hancock High school.
He replaces David King, who left his alma mater after four years to become the offensive line coach at Biloxi High. -
Blue Devils fall to Pascagoula
Pearl River Central took an early lead on Pascagoula ace Taylor Olsen, but an offensive barrage buried the Blue Devils in a 10-2 Panthers victory in the opener of a best-of-3 5A baseball series on Friday night.
-
Itawamba bombs River 14-3 in five to wrap Lady Wildcats’ season
Pearl River’s Lady Wildcats wrapped their 2012 softball season with a lopsided 14-3 defeat to Itawamba here Friday in the Region 23 Tournament underway at Traceway Park.
-
Union files grievance in bounty case
The NFL players union has challenged Commissioner Roger Goodell’s authority to suspend players who participated in the New Orleans Saints’ pay-for-pain scandal and wants him removed from hearing appeals.
-
NFL suspends 4 players for Saints’ bounties
New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma was suspended without pay for the entire 2012 season by the NFL, one of four players punished Wednesday for participating in the team’s cash-for-hits bounty system.
-
Picayune takes second in boys & girls Region 4-5A meet
The Picayune Maroon Tide track and field team placed second in the team standings of the boys’ and girls’ divisions this past weekend at the Region 4-5A championship meet held in Long Beach. The Lady Maroon Tide tallied 132 points to Long Beach’s 136 while the boys racked up 97 points to Gautier’s 108.
-
Kennedy resigns at Picayune
Picayune High is looking for a boys head basketball coach for the fourth time in six seasons.
Jason Kennedy confirmed to the Picayune Item Tuesday night that he has resigned his post at the helm of the Maroon Tide. -
Seeking another big target, Saints draft WR Toon
Former NFL star Al Toon answered the phone, handed it to his son, Nick, and watched his face light up.
-
Both PRC teams move on
Pearl River Central moved in the Class 5A South State baseball playoffs with a big 13-8 win over homestanding Brookhaven Saturday.
-
Northeast Miss. eliminates Pearl River with 4-1 victory
Pearl River’s Lady Wildcats were eliminated in the semi-finals of the MACJC State Tournament here Friday at Itawamba CC with a 4-1 setback to Northeast Mississippi.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Gaudin returns to Hancock
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Raw Video: Earthquake Shakes Evacuees in Italy
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
