Former “lightning bolt” Darren Sproles electrified Saints fans in the season opener against the Packers.  He was Gayle Sayers, Emmitt Smith, sprinkled with a small dose of Deuce, all rolled into one.  Although he only had two carries for seven yards, Sproles caught seven passes for 75 yards and 168 yards in punt and kick returns.  Every time he touched the ball, I sat on the edge of my seat knowing that something big was about to happen.  By half time, I was looking up Sproles jersey’s on nfl.com and found myself saying, “Reggie Who?”

I wasn’t the only one who drew a comparison to Reggie Bush.  As commentators gushed over Sproles being the “perfect replacement”, I began to wonder…how does Sproles stack up against Reggie statistically?

At first blush, the career numbers for both backs through the 2010 season don’t look terribly different.  Bush has far more running and receiving yards, due to the more than double number of touches Sproles has had in nearly the same number of seasons.  Sproles and Bush average 4.6 yards and 4.0 yards per carry respectively, and 9.6 yards and 7.3 yards per reception.  They can both move the ball, but we also need backs that can also score.  This is where the biggest difference is - Bush logged 29 and Sproles tallied 17.  My next thought…have we downgraded? 

More slicing of the stats thankfully suggests no, and here’s why:

• Sproles is more efficient at scoring.  He will score a touchdown every 23 touches versus Bush’s 28.
• However, Bush is far more efficient at scoring in the run game.  He will score a touchdown every 31 carries versus Sproles’ 41.
• On the flip side, Sproles is more efficient scoring in the passing game.  He will score every 13.3 receptions versus Bush’s 24.  For Sproles, that can be a touchdown every other game.

This seemed about right, but I wasn’t quite ready to “check out” with my jersey purchase quite yet.  If you are a fan looking for someone who is NOT Reggie Bush, you might be disappointed.  Sproles clearly is effective in space, just like Reggie, and may function more as a receiver than a back.  Hey, this may not be a bad thing with Lance Moore and Marques Colston out with injuries.

Still, something about Sproles seemed different.  I wasn’t holding my breath, waiting for that missed pass in the flat, the stripped fumble or the muffed return.  For some reason, I felt comfortable that he was going to protect the ball.  This settling certainty was a bit unfamiliar – I have been conditioned to be on pins and needles in anticipation of the next turnover. 

Unfortunately, the numbers suggest that this quiet calm and eerie confidence may be fleeting.  Sproles has fumbled the ball 13 times (losing possession on 8) while Bush racked up 19, losing 11.  Yeah, 13 is better than 19, but after adjusting for the number of touches, Sproles has turned the ball over at a greater rate (every 36 touches) than Bush (every 43).

Before I hastily added an at-home defibrillator to my shopping cart, I decided to take a giant step back.  How many times have we seen player go off to other teams and re-ignite their careers?  Randy Moss, Michael Vick, Jeff Garcia to name a few.  Sproles already has impressive career numbers and a memorable opening season performance.  Maybe the humidity in the Big Easy will make that ball stick to hands better!

 ...an' dat's dat!

It's the elephant the room we haven't talked about....that ends now.  What about Reggie Bush?

I remember draft day 2006.  I was running on the treadmill, already out of breath, and now facing a  major coronary event - "With the number two pick, the Saints draft Reggie Bush from USC".  My first reaction was ambivalence.  We already had Deuce McAllister, our beloved local hero, and Aaron Stecker.  With so many weak areas to address after our appalling 3-13 "Katrina" season, was this where the organization wanted to put their focus?

But this was the first post-Katrina season and fans needed to be excited more than anything else.  No doubt, Reggie Bush was electrifying...watch any USC highlight film.  He would bring the "Hollywood attention" to a team and city in desperate need of attention.  Fans showed their overwhelming approval by buying number 25 jerseys in bulk and chanting "Regg-ie, Regg-ie" when he first stepped on the field for that magical Monday night opener against the Falcons.  Reggie brought a much needed swagger - he was a winner that wasn't accustomed to losing.  The Saints and New Orleans knew losing all too well.

The NFL would be an adjustment for Reggie, as it is with most rookies.  His high-flying, beat 'em around the corner, faster-than-everyone-else on the field style might have worked against boys but not men.  It did, however, work occasionally and it was spectacular and everyone praised his athleticism.  In a photograph of his first punt return for a touchdown against the Bucs, even the chain gang is caught cheering him on.  When it didn't work, he took the wrath of fans and talking heads. When you're the talk of the town, you're also the butt of all jokes!

Is everyone supposed to be succeed all the time?  Mistakes happen every game - missed tackles, fumbles, interceptions and missed blocking assignments.  The only problem with a "Reggie Bush" is that the spotlight shines on him all the time whether he's excelling or not. The problem is, as with any top draft pick, when you pay big money, you expect big results.

I, for one, think we got what we paid for.  Reggie was a pivotal part of building a championship team.  Anyone who disagrees may want to look up the definition of "team".  Did he drop a punt or two (or more)? Sure he did! Did he miss a pass or two? Sure he did! But when it came time to "Bring the Wood", he brought it!  When he was asked to carry the load in a season with massive injuries, he stepped up.  When he was asked to stop doing so many commercials, he stopped.  When he was asked to move his offseason workouts to New Orleans, he did.  

It's easy to be critical of a big dollar player.  Reggie did what he was asked to do - showing a great deal of commitment to the Saints and New Orleans.  But he wants to be a feature back and he has that opportunity in Miami.  I wish him the best of luck....unless of course we meet the Dolphins in the post-season.

...an' dat's dat!