Head coach Jim Schwartz hopes to give the running back between 60-80 receptions throughout the year.
After signing as a free agent during the off-season, Reggie Bush looks set to become a focal point for the Detroit Lions, as head coach Jim Schwartz will aim to make him as effective in the passing game as well as the running game.
Source: NFL.com
After somewhat reviving his career as a Miami Dolphin last season after a poor career in New Orleans, Reggie Bush may now finally be at a team that will fit his capabilities as a dual-threat back best.
While he is not a running back that can carry the ball 30 times a game, and run hard through the tackles as a power back, Bush is an excellent outside runner, especially in sweeps and pitch plays, utilising his speed and vision to break runs on the outside.
That will be a great fit to a Lions offence that threw the ball over 40 times in 13 of their 16 games last season, making them a very one-dimensional team.
In a pass-happy offence that regularly plays out of shotgun, Bush will be better suited to their system as a pass-catcher too, and this target of 80 receptions seems very likely.
Bush can be used effectively as a screen catcher, while also moving out into the slot to create mis-matches with slower linebackers over the middle of the field, once again fitting the passing offence run by Quarterback Matthew Stafford.
There seems to be high hopes for Bush to succeed in Detroit, and if they can use him correctly and effectively, then they can certainly improve on their 4-12 season in 2012.
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