For Saints RB Reggie Bush last years woeful season was a humbling experience. Thrust into the role of an every down back by coaches after McAllister went down early in the season, he seemed to never really get on track. Which is a far cry from the very good rookie season he had in 2006. With four games left in the regular season Bush missed them with a knee injury of his own.

 The word "bust" has been thrown around by Bush's harshest critics, who suggest his speed has been neutralized by NFL defenses and that he can't be an every-down back. But Bush said he isn't fazed by such talk, and he's not even interested in using it as motivation

"No, because I know I'm not a bust. I know I'm far from it, " said Bush, who gained 998 yards from scrimmage in 12 games last season, but did it without the highlight-reel flair that he flashed in college and as a rookie.

I tend to agree with him. Think about this, is it his fault that he's not a 6'1 230 lbs powerback? No it isn't, in fact if anyone is at fault for Reggies' less than productive second season it's the Saints coaching staff.

They should have known Reggie never was an every down back and in fact he's kind of light in the #### to be doing that. I would imagine the only time Reggie has been an every down back was playing in high school. In college at USC he had LenDale White to carry the heavy load, much like Deuce did for the 2006 season. Coach Shaun Payton gambled with Bush in that role and failed miserably. Knowing all along there was a RB on the roster named Pierre Thomas who could have shouldered that load.

Reggie knows and understands that there are high expectations for players drafted in the first round.

"Any time you're a rookie coming into this league and you're a first-round draft pick, you have a lot of pressure on your shoulders. So it's not easy. It's not an easy job, " said Bush.

I'm probably one of the few people and even Saints fans who believe Bush will still do some great things in the NFL. Far to many people are fair weather fans but I guess that's just the way it is with sports.

I remember a certain QB named Peyton Manning who is widely considerd the best in the game today throwing plenty of interceptions his first couple of seasons. I also don't remember anyone labeling him a bust either. So why should we label Bush in that way?

He's only going into his third season and anyone who thought he would be an every down back doesn't really know football. What he does well is make people miss tackles. Get him the ball in open space and he'll make just about every defensive player in the NFL look silly grabbing for air.

Besides he's still learning which is what 90% or more of the players coming from college do in their first few seasons.

 "This is a totally different level from college. You start from rock bottom once you get in the league, and some people are able to come into this league and have great careers right off the bat. Some people really have to learn. Everybody's different.

So let's give the young man a break...or not. However when he's helping the Saints get back into the playoffs just remember what you thought of him. Well that and crow may taste better in a Gumbo.

New Orleans is a very unique city in America. We love to eat and drink probably more than what's healthy for us. It's home to two of the largest music festivals within the united states, Jazz fest and Essence fest of which the former just passed a few months ago and the later is this weekend. New Orleans is also home to what us locals call "Carnival" officially beginning on the Feast of epiphany, which locals sometimes refer to as "Twelfth Night". The Carnival season is often known (especially by out-of-towners) by the name of its last day, Mardi Gras (Frenchfor "Fat Tuesday"), which is held the Tuesday before the beginning of the Catholic liturgical season of Lent, which commences on Ash Wednesday.

One other thing we love and take much pride in is our sports teams. New Orleans is home to a wide variety of sporting events. Most notable are the home games of the New Orleans Saints(NFL) and the New Orleans Hornets (NBA), New Orleans Voodoo (AFL),The New Orleans Blaze are a women's football team in the National womans football association.

The annual Sugar Bowl, the annual Zurich classic (PGA Tour) and horse racing at the Fair grounds race course, the nations third oldest thoroughbred track. Also, New Orleans regularly hosts the Super Bowl, the college football BCS National Championship game, and the NCAA college basketball Final Four.

Special Football Games:

 Special Basketball Games: