Even At Full Speed, Reggie Bush Can't Elude Reggie-Mania

From every angle pursuers closed in, to where even Reggie Bush, who's as slippery as an oil-covered eel inside a lard-slathered pair of hands, could not escape.

They surged toward him as one impenetrable mass, eliminating space until not a ray of sunlight remained between the Saints' prized rookie running back and those who wanted to lay hands on him.

Just to touch him.

If you hadn't known better you'd have sworn Reggie Bush was an island unto himself, the way the autograph-seeking troupe of children visiting the Saints' practice facility from an area summer camp surrounded him with pens in hand after Friday morning's minicamp practice.

No, it doesn't appear that Reggie-mania has waned. To the contrary, it probably only will gain speed as the Saints approach more meaningful days than a Friday in early June.

"I'm not surprised," said Reggie Bush, who has become as accustomed to adulation. "It comes with the territory, (with) being successful. I still feel like people are supporting me. The kids coming out were great."

What was better, as far as the franchise is concerned, was that Reggie Bush is back to full speed. The hamstring that was so tender it required Reggie Bush almost shutting down during the Saints' rookie camp no longer is a problem. He worked with the offense and on special teams.

"He's fine," Coach Sean Payton said. "At the end of last week he started going full speed.

"The main reason for us to hold him back in the (rookie) camp was so we could have him right now and have him not be sitting there with an ice bag on him. We were a little conservative, but I think we were just being smart. So I think it's worked out well."

As well as possible because, obviously, it makes no sense for Reggie Bush to not be ready when it really counts. Taking every possible precaution with him -- and fellow running back Deuce McAllister, and quarterback Drew Brees, and kick and punt returner Michael Lewis, and any other player who must be handled with care today to ensure he'll be healthy and available tomorrow -- is the wisest thing that can be done.

But the more Reggie Bush can do now -- and he can do it all, knock on wood -- the better. There's a ton of information to disseminate and digest, especially for Reggie Bush, who can and will play such a versatile role.

"I think we got a lot done," Reggie Bush said of his first two workouts with Saints veterans. "We got a chance to get in with the vets, a chance to run around, do things we couldn't do in the first minicamp.

"I feel pretty comfortable. Coming from USC, we had a pro-style offense. The coaches really prepared us."

That, of course, is a great thing for the Saints. Because Reggie Bush already has had some exposure to the game and already is used to sharing the load at running back -- with LenDale White at Southern Cal and with McAllister now -- that his learning curve could be shorter than that of the average rookie.

That's not to say he won't have lapses. He's learning a new offense, same as almost everyone, and his growth could be stunted somewhat if contract negotiations stall and a holdout ensues. And even if he is around for every day, every player is apt to brain cramps.

But the thought of McAllister paired in a backfield with Reggie Bush is as appealing as any combination the Saints have had.

"Not a bad 1-2 punch, huh?" Brees said. "Those guys are getting a chance. To watch them and see how it's all going to come together right now is pretty exciting."

The kids thought so, as excited as they were to grab a sliver of Reggie-mania and bask in it.

If the Saints are lucky, the feeling that's sure to build won't wane anytime soon.

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