Former New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush was released in a cost-cutting move by the Detroit Lions on Wednesday. Immediately, my Twitter feed filled up with questions about whether Bush might fit back in New Orleans since the Saints were missing that runner/receiver hybrid after trading Darren Sproles last year.
It’s not entirely out of the question -- especially if the Saints lose top running back Mark Ingram in free agency and want to add a veteran to their committee approach. But I don’t know if Bush would provide a missing element to New Orleans’ offense that’s significantly greater than incumbent runner/receivers Pierre Thomas and Travaris Cadet. Bush turns 30 next month and has battled injuries over the past two years.
Are the Saints missing what Bush and Sproles brought in their primes? Of course -- especially when it comes to the way defenses respected their threats by devoting extra safeties or linebackers in coverage. But New Orleans did still lead the NFL in first downs, third-down conversion percentage and completion percentage last year.
Coincidentally, the Green Bay Packers also released linebacker A.J. Hawk on Wednesday. If Bush hadn’t fallen into the Saints’ laps with the second pick of the 2006 draft, they were strongly considering Hawk with that pick instead.
Benson doctors selected: The three doctors who will perform a psychiatric examination on Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson have been selected, according to various media outlets. But their names and the details of that examination will be kept confidential according to a judge’s ruling.
New Orleans Civil District Court Judge Kern Reese ruled earlier in the month that Benson, 87, would have to be evaluated by a trio of physicians to determine if there is any merit to a lawsuit filed by Benson’s estranged daughter and grandchildren to challenge his mental capacity. Each side was to select a doctor, and they were to agree upon the third. Reese said the report was to completed by March 13.
Boo Williams’ struggle with depression: Former Saints tight end Boo Williams was among those featured in ESPN NFL writer Jim Trotter’s powerful story about former players who struggle with depression. Williams opened up about the time he nearly committed suicide in 2010.
Saints hire communications director: The Saints hired Fitz Ollison as their new senior director of communications. Ollison spent the past seven years with the Miami Dolphins. Before that, he spent time with FOX Sports, the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions. Ollison replaces longtime football communications director Doug Miller, who left earlier this month to work for The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia.
Blake Williams back in Louisiana: Blake Williams, the former Saints assistant coach and son of former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, was hired this week as defensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana.