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      Reggie Bush wants to return to Saints

      May 14, 2011 /
      New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush (25) runs up the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during first half action at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 2, 2011. Defending on the play is the Buccaneers’ Corey Lynch (41). UPI/A.J. Sisco

      Two weeks after suggesting on Twitter that the selection of Mark Ingram sealed his fate in New Orleans, Reggie Bush has pulled an about-face and wants “first and foremost” to be a Saint.

      From Rotoworld:

      Bush regrets his post-draft tweet suggesting the Mark Ingram pick had sealed his fate with the team. “Obviously, sometimes you write things or say things that you wish you shouldn’t have,” Bush said. “(Ingram and) I can definitely help each other.” Bush acknowledges that he and the Saints still have to “handle the business side of things” and “come to a happy medium” on a restructured contract, but he to play the rest of his career in New Orleans. The odds are now much better than 50-50 that Bush will remain with the Saints

      The problem is that Bush is set to make $11.8 million next year before he becomes a free agent in 2012. Given his role in Sean Payton’s offense and the fact that the Saints just drafted their running back of the future in Ingram, it’s hard to justify them paying Bush $11.8 million. If he’s willing to restructure his deal to stick around, I’m sure the Saints would love to keep him in New Orleans.

      If he does wind up playing elsewhere next year, there have been some rumblings that Bush could be a nice fit for the Colts.

      External Sports, NFL

      Russell Westbrook strikes again!

      May 14, 2011 /
      Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (C) heads to the hoop as Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (L) and O.J. Mayo (R)defend during the second half of NBA basketball action in Memphis, Tennessee May 13, 2011. The Grizzlies won 95-83 REUTERS/Alan Spearman (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

      Regular readers know that I’m no fan of Westbrook’s performance in the Playoffs. He posts gaudy numbers in virtually every game, but when it comes down to crunch time, he has been inconsistent.

      Take Game 6 in Memphis. Westbrook finished with 27 points (on 11-for-22 shooting), four assists and three rebounds. Great, right? Not quite.

      A closer look at Westbrook’s performance in crunch time reveals an entirely different story. After entering the game with 9:04 to play, he turns the ball over on three of the next four OKC possessions. The Grizzlies capitalize with a pair of Zach Randolph buckets. The four-point lead swells to seven.

      Trailing by that margin with 3:29 to play, Westbrook misses a layup. On the next Memphis possession, Westbrook closes on an O.J. Mayo catch too quickly and Mayo goes by him for a 19-foot stop-and-pop to push the lead to nine. When Westbrook misses a 17-foot jumper with 2:23 to play, the Thunder are all but done.

      He went 3-of-7 (0-2 from 3PT) with zero assists and three turnovers in the final 9:04, and his team was -8 during that span.

      Can the Thunder win a title with Russell Westbrook at the point? Unless he finds a way to suddenly become much more efficient, I’d say no. He’s young, but he’s been in the league for three years and is still playing inconsistent ball in crunch time.

      External Sports, NBA

      49ers’ rookie Kaepernick has surgery on leg

      May 13, 2011 /

      While neither he nor his new team have any concerns about whether or not he’ll be ready by the start of the season, the 49ers announced on Friday that No. 36 overall pick Colin Kaepernick recently underwent surgery to repair an injury to his lower left leg.

      “It’s nothing serious at all,” Kaepernick told the Sacramento Bee’s Matt Barrows. “For me, going through the end of the season and then on to the Senior Bowl and everything – there wasn’t any time to get it handled.”

      The Niners issued a statement about the procedure, stating that they knew about the surgery before they drafted Kaepernick in April. (I would have hope they would.) The team also stated that it had “no concerns regarding his health and are confident that he will be ready for the 2011 NFL season.”

      Even if he weren’t, that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing for Kaepernick or the 49ers. I think Jim Harbaugh will eventually turn Kaepernick into a successful pro quarterback. But it’s going to take some time.

      Kaepernick certainly has all the physical tools to succeed at the next level (i.e. great arm strength, terrific athleticism, good intangibles), but he played in the pistol offense at Nevada. It’s going to be a couple of years before he learns the nuances of how to be a pro quarterback, including being able to read a defense and learn an entire playbook. I know Niner fans are excited for him to start right away, but it’s not a bad idea that the team is considering re-signing Alex Smith to an extension so that Kaepernick can watch and observe for a year or two. And if this injury slows him down in his first year then again, that may not be a bad thing.

      External Sports, NFL

      Forcier changes mind, won’t enroll at Miami

      May 13, 2011 /
      University of Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier looks for his receiver during the second half of their NCAA football game against Ohio State in Ann Arbor, Michigan Michigan November 21, 2009. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook (UNITED STATES SPORT FOOTBALL)

      Former Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier has changed his mind and will not enroll at the University of Miami according to SI.com.

      A person familiar with his decision told The Associated Press on Friday that the former Michigan quarterback broke off contact with the Hurricanes about six weeks ago because undisclosed personal matters were overshadowing football. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Forcier has not publicly revealed the decision.

      ESPN.com first reported Forcier would not attend Miami. A message left for Forcier’s father by the AP was not immediately returned Friday.

      Miami added another transfer quarterback earlier this spring, when South Florida native Ryan Williams left Memphis after one season to join the Hurricanes. Returning quarterbacks Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris will vie for Miami’s starting job for 2011 in training camp, and Williams would have to sit out until 2012 unless the NCAA grants a waiver saying otherwise.

      As SI.com points out, the last 10 or so months of Forcier’s collegiate career has been rocky. He lost the full-time starting quarterback job to Denard Robinson last year and despite his insistence that he would remain a Wolverine throughout his career, he announced his decision to transfer shortly after being ruled academically ineligible for Michigan’s trip to the Gator Bowl.

      After considering Kansas State, Washington, Arizona and Montana, he signed an aid agreement with the Hurricanes in February. But after backing out with Miami, his playing status remains in flux.

      Forcier has always reminded me of Jeff Garcia thanks to his ability to buy himself more time by moving around in the pocket and finding open receivers. He doesn’t have out-of-this world natural talent but given the right situation, I think he could succeed as a full-time starter somewhere. Of course, in order for that to happen he has to settle on a school and make sure he stays academically eligible.

      College Football, External Sports

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