Bush denies report

Well it did not take long for Reggie Bush to deny the recent report that the Saints permitted him to speak with other teams back in February.  Here is the follow up article from PFT:

Bush disputes report that he had permission to talk to other teams

Posted by Mike Florio on June 17, 2011, 5:39 PM EDT

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In response to Jason Cole’s report that Saints running back Reggie Bush received permission in February to talk to other teams, WWL radio opted to go straight to the Bush’s mouth for confirmation.  Or otherwise.

They got the otherwise.

The question from WWL, via text:  “Yahoo sports is reporting that the saints gave u permission back in February to gauge interest of other teams for u.  Is that accurate?”

The response:  “Lol!  Absolutely not!“

Then:  “just so I have this right u were never given permission to gauge interest of other teams? Right?”

The reply:  “For the second time no.”

(And then the cock crowed.)

There are, in our view, four possible explanations.  First, Cole is wrong and Reggie is right.  Second, Cole is right, the permission had been given directly to his agent, Joel Segal, and Bush didn’t know about it.  Third, Cole is right and Bush knows it and Bush decided to lie for the sake of lying.  Fourth, Cole is right and Bush knows it but Bush panicked and denied it because the Saints insisted that the information be concealed.

Regardless of whether Bush didn’t know, whether he lied because he likes it, or whether he was simply trying to keep his word to keep it secret, we suspect that Cole’s report is accurate.  With Reggie due to earn a base salary of $11.8 million in 2011 and with the Saints surely unwilling to pay that much money for a third-down back and kick returner, the Saints likely believe that, in the end, they’ll offer as much or more for a part-time player than any other team would be willing to spend.

Of course, the fact that the Saints could be the highest bidder doesn’t mean that they’ll get the contract.  Bush, a marketing dynamo with no need for money, can make his decision for reasons other than the price tag.

Finally, as to the notion that the Saints gave Bush permission to talk to other teams in advance of a possible trade, we can’t imagine Bush agreeing to rework his contract when, as a practical matter, the Saints surely won’t let him take a rep in training camp under his current deal, given the reality that a torn ACL would cost Bush the season — and the Saints the full $11.8 million.

So look for everyone to continue to say the right thing.  Right until the second training camp opens, and the Saints part ways with the second overall pick in the 2006 draft.

Reggie Bush was allowed to contact other teams

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on June 17, 2011, 2:07 PM EDT

AP

The Saints and Reggie Bush have publicly said nice things about staying together this offseason, like a divorcing couple that is trying to break the news gently to their kids.

(Although in this case, many of the kids — Saints fans — want a separation.)

The reality is that the two sides know they are likely headed for a break-up andhaven’t done a great job concealing it.  The latest piece of evidence via Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports is that the Saints let Bush talk to other teams to gauge his value in February.

“Bush and agent Joel Segal were told that a number of teams would be interested in paying him handsomely, or at least more than the Saints have apparently been willing to offer at this point,” Cole writes. “The expectation from Bush, according to the sources, is that he will be playing for another team next season.”

In the meantime, the Saints have drafted Mark Ingram and Bush hasn’t shown at Saints workouts.

So where might Bush end up?

One of Cole’s sources says the the most likely suitors include the Dolphins, Steelers, Seahawks, and Giants.  Philadelphia also showed “strong interest” but Bush has reservations about playing behind Lady Gaga.

Miami makes a lot of sense.  Pete Carroll is in Seattle, but running back is not one of their bigger team needs.  The Giants could fit if Ahmad Bradshaw leaves, but that’s a big if.  It’s hard to believe Pittsburgh would spend big money just for third downs.

No matter who shows interest in Bush, we’d be shocked at this point if he worked out a new contract with the Saints.

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I am not a huge Reggie Bush fan.  I think he is a weapon for match ups, but I think he does have a limited role.  I just don't see him as a fit in the Dolphins, Giants, or Steelers because he isn't a physical runner.  Even the smaller elusive backs that have been in those organizations were still physical runners.  

I do think Seattle could be a spot where he lands, not just because of Pete Carroll, but really their running game was awful last year.  I know that their Oline is a big part of that, but I still don't think Marshawn Lynch is the long term answer.  

With all that being said, Bush loses value in Seattle because they already have Leon Washington, who is a player that can do a lot of the utility things that Bush does.  Ultimately, I think Bush is best suited to stay in New Orleans, unless he is willing to go to a non-playoff team.

Raheem Brock arrested in Philadelphia

Reported on NFL.Com:

Former Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts defensive end Raheem Brock was arrested Thursday night after allegedly walking out on a bill at a Philadelphia nightclub, police confirmed to NFL.com.

 Brock was arrested outside the Copacabana for theft of services and resisting arrest.

Fox 29 News in Philadelphia reports, according to unnnamed sources, that Brock was arrested after he engaged in a minor struggle with police when questioned about allegedly skipping out on a $27 bill.

The 33-year-old Brock played four years at Temple University in Philadelphia. He spent eight seasons with the Colts before catching on with the Seahawks in 2010. Brock recorded 9 sacks and one forced fumble as well as a pair of sacks in Seattle's two-game playoff run vs. the New Orleans Saintsand Chicago Bears last season.

Brock is expected to be on the market once free agency begins this offseason.

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So obviously there is more to the story that what has been reported, but I am interested in hear the rest of the story.

Woodson's speech etched into history

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on June 17, 2011, 8:21 AM EDT

AP

After the Packers beat the Bears in the NFC Championship, Charles Woodson made a speech to the team that they needed to play with one mind, one goal, one purpose, and one heart for one more game.

Six months later, that phrase was inscribed on the Super Bowl rings we showed you last night.

“It’s a beautiful ring,” Woodson said after the ceremony. “I don’t think they could have made it any more spectacular. Best ring I’ve seen. Not just saying that because it’s our ring.”

For one night, Packers players, coaches and staff forgot all about the lockout.

“It’s all about getting the ring. Every franchise that wins title, it’s all about ring. It seals the deal. We’ll enjoy it tonight. Hopefully we’ll get a settlement,” Woodson said via the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

“The mood in the room is giddy,” Packers president Mark Murphy said. “We all miss the players. To be back together with them was special.”

A trip to the White House is on hold, and will depend on whether the lockout ends in time. For one night, the focus was on the rewards of being champions.

“They wanted big and they wanted bling,” Murphy said. “We were successful in that.”

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Not a fan of the Pack, but I am a huge fan of Charles Woodson on and off the field.  I think it is only fitting that one of the leaders and key components to this team's championship run is honored.  

"they needed to play with one mind, one goal, one purpose, and one heart for one more game"

I think a lot of players, on a lot of teams probably should have listened to his speech.  Minus the "one more game" part.