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Originally Posted by burmafrd
No Stash- you said WIDELY CONSIDERED. NOT your opinion. NO ONE really thought Peterson was NOT the #1 back. Just admit it- you overstated Bush big time- he was never the top RB in the college game by anyone with any kind of a reputation- or any major site or scout or anything else.
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After his record-breaking performance in 2005, many experts were anointing Bush as a favorite to win 2006 Heisman Trophy honors. After the first half of the '06 season opener, most football people agreed that he was well on his way to another fantastic season. However, only three minutes into the second half of the Kentucky clash, Bush suffered a right leg fracture that would bring his season and Louisville career to a close. Bush could have applied for a medical hardship and returned to the Cardinals in 2007, but he has decided instead to test his wares in the National Football League.
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http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/bush_michael
ANALYSIS
Positives: For a player of his size, he shows very good foot agility and balance … Takes short, pitter-patter steps and demonstrates the loose hips to change direction and come out of his breaks with an explosive up-field burst … Very crisp planting and driving in his route cuts and has the feel for the crease and vision to locate the cutback lane … Intense competitor who will do whatever the coaches ask if it will help the team … It is very rare to see him run out of bounds with the ball, as he feels he can be more productive sinking his pads and driving with his legs to drag the opponent for extra yardage rather than taking the easy way out … Has that deceptive burst that allows him to surprise a lethargic defender … Does a nice job of changing angles, but can also build up to top speed quickly when operating deep in the backfield … Is not going to run away from defenders in the open just on pure speed, but can change gears, lower his pads and redirect smoothly to get past the second level (39 runs for 10 or more yards in 2005) … Shows patience waiting for holes to develop, but it is his ability to see the cutback lanes that is the result of his long run success … Most big backs tend to get erect in their stance, but Bush is capable of sinking his hips and keeping his pad level low … Because of his patience waiting for blocks to develop, Bush has had good success through the cutback lanes or bouncing outside to get big yardage … Has the loose hips to redirect and is quite nimble in the open for a player of his size … Even though he is a good downhill runner, his lateral bounce is more effectively used running outside … Does a nice job of staying low in his pads and has the smooth stride moving laterally to make the initial tackler miss … Can either juke the defender or slide step to elude … Sets up his cuts nicely when sliding and has the feet to take the ball long distances … Not only is Bush a capable third-down receiver, he has the natural hands and arm extension to catch away from his frame (13 of his 21 catches in 2005 produced first downs) … Catches the ball cleanly and does a good job extending for the off-target throws … Has that deceptive quickness to get open underneath and does a nice job adjusting and settling in the soft areas.
Negatives: Has a thick frame that can carry additional bulk, but needs to add overall muscle definition … Has a soft midsection, big bubble, good lower frame thickness, but only adequate strength … Adequate student with a mediocre Wonderlic score (12) that might set off some red flags, but has a natural feel for the crease and the ability to recognize coverages … Will need to improve his overall strength for the next level, as he is not a power back who will obliterate tacklers that get in his way, but does use his size and leg drive efficiently to break tackles … Adequate performer who needs structure in the training and dining room tables, as his weight has been a problem in the past and his lack of overall muscle tone is the result of his dislike for lifting weights. However, he seems to be conforming more to the program in the past year … Still has that mentality that he would much rather avoid and elude defenders than run over them … With more lower body strength and a better compact build, it will allow him to gain better success in attempts to run through arm tackles down field … Despite his mass, he is not a pile mover (stopped 13 times for losses and 19 times for no gain in 10 2005 games) working inside and needs to get stronger in order to attack the second level … In the 2005 Cincinnati game, he failed to distribute the ball away from the defender, resulting in three lost fumbles … Willing in-line blocker who uses his body well to occupy the smaller defenders at the line of scrimmage, but his lack of ideal power is evident when facing up to the down linemen … Tries to square up, but lacks the strong hand punch to lock on and sustain.
Compares To: Greg Jones -- Jacksonville … Bush is not as well-built or strong as Jones, but when both are healthy they are capable of moving the chains with their deceptive speed, stutter-step running style and natural hands as a catcher out of the backfield. Both have also had injury issues that have affected their play in recent years.