Giants Face Tough Task Going Against Reggie Bush and the Saints

Giants’ linebacker Antonio Pierce delivered a simple answer yesterday when asked how to stop electrifying Saints rookie Reggie Bush: "Hit him."

It's a common saying among defensive players. And still, when facing a talent that unique, even that basic maxim needs to be qualified.

"His legs are very strong, so we're going to have to try to gang-tackle this guy," fellow linebacker Brandon Short said. "He's really shifty in open space, and when you try to bring him down, he's a lot stronger than you would think."

As if the sliding Giants don't have enough problems heading into their crucial game against New Orleans, they must contend with the NFL's top-rated offense (at over 400 yards a game), including a certain Heisman winner that has the potential to score on seemingly every touch.

"You hear people talk about Michael Vick, that it's like having another running back sometimes," linebacker Carlos Emmons said. "(With Reggie Bush) it's like, you have Michael Vick and he is that running back. You have to contend with that kind of quickness on a regular basis."

Especially in open space, and the Saints have focused on getting Reggie Bush outside the tackles. His first offensive touchdown came on a double-reverse, complete with his trademark leap over a Pittsburgh defender and into the end zone.

He is also a dangerous receiver. He caught a 74-yard screen pass against San Francisco - though it wasn't for one of the four touchdowns he scored that day - and the No. 2 pick is currently third in the NFL with 84 catches, on pace to break Joe Horn's team record of 96.

Coach Tom Coughlin was most impressed with a 61-yard touchdown that Reggie Bush scored on a screen pass against Dallas.

"He's a guy who looks like he's at top speed just like that, in one step," Coughlin said. "He certainly has some great natural vision and instincts. He can change pace, he can maneuver. He forces really good football players to be in bad positions to tackle."

Reggie Bush also had a game-winning 65-yard punt return with 4:17 left in the Saints' 24-21 win over Tampa Bay.

"In all of these capacities, obviously his outstanding natural ability comes forth," Coughlin said. "It gives you multiple circumstances where you have to be concerned with defending him."

Brian Westbrook of the Eagles, who also serves as a rushing and receiving threat, gained 261 total yards with three touchdowns in two meetings with the Giants this season.

In a league noted for its copycat mentality, the Giants are certainly looking at film from last weekend, when Washington held Reggie Bush to 46 yards on five rushes, seven catches and two punt returns in a 16-10 Redskins win.

Football Prospects
Steve Slaton
Steve Slaton Rushed for 1836 yds and 25 TDs as a SR. Excellent speed and leg strength. Very productive, breaking the 22 year old school career rushing record before his junior year ended. JR stats: 1626 yds rushing (9.3 ypc) and19 TDs; 16 tackles/2 picks.
Steve Slaton: "I have great speed and field vision. I'm also really strong. I love playing RB and I've been playing it my whole life. I have the speed, elusiveness and strength. I'd like to run over linemen more and be a more powerful runner."
Position: RB
Class: 2nd Year West Virginia
Ht: 5-9.5 Wt: 185
Hometown: Fairless Hills, PA
High School: Conwell Egan Catholic H.S.

Football Prospects
John David Booty
John Booty(born January 3, 1985 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is the starting quarterback of University of Southern California (USC) football team. He is called "John David" Booty because his father's name is John Booty.
John David Booty prepped at the Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport but left a year early after his father/Quarterbacks Coach left the staff (he already had enough credits to graduate). Despite leaving after his junior year, John David Booty threw for 8,474 yards on 555 of 864 attempts (64.2%) with 88 touchdowns and 26 interceptions.

More Top Stories on Reggie Bush

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March
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February
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Super Bowl Weekend
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January
•Reggie Bush Engaged to Kim Kardashian?

December
•Eagles vs. Saints Preview 12/23/07
•Bush Hoping to Play Against Eagles 12/18/07
•Cardinals 24, Saints 31
•Bush Out For the Year 12/12/07
•Falcons 14, Saints 34 12/10/07
•Falcons vs. Saints Preview 12/10/07
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