The Student of the Game

I’m not much of a card player by any stretch of the imagination, but I can assure you that in light of all that’s been announced and alleged over the past week or two I have proof that I could leave the table with a healthy portion of sports writers’/personalities’ salaries in addition to all of the millions in former USC RB Reggie Bush’s endorsement money.

Reggie Bush was a touch unlucky in the fact where he was drafted this past May by the New Orleans Saints number #2 overall instead of the WIDELY projected top overall pick held by the Houston Texans. The “football prowess” of this pick is in question as many think the Texans certifiable for going with DE Mario Williams over Bush.

At first impulse it seems understandable as Bush (among other feats) has gained 500+ yards in a game single-handedly during the previous college season. (I don’t mention the Heisman here, because even Chris Weinke and Charlie Ward have Heismans).

So Bush could have been number one . . . MAYBE he should have been — I get it. . . but HE still thinks that despite not being the number one pick (be it through the Texans’ stupidity, or his camp’s stubborn inability to comes to contract terms with the Houston front office before Wiliiams did), that he deserves “Number One Money”.

He does have a slightly interesting hand to play . . . bad mamma-jamma of a college player, available to contribute in several capacities (RB, Slot Receiver, Kick/Punt Returns just to name a few), his mere DRAFTING to the soon-to-be-revitalized franchise (in addition to other factors as Drew Brees’s arrival in New Orleans and the rebuilding of the Superdome) warranted a new Saints franchise record in Season Ticket Sales.

But if I’m Tom Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints, my response to Reggie Bush would be when he (or his agent) used these points to get paid more money, “Wow. . . you bring a lot to the table . . . but what about this? How about if I give you “the finger” ::flick:: and you come sign my contract.”

Quite frankly, Bush coming to the bargaining table playing this hand should get him in more trouble than a pocket pair of low cards in a Texas Hold ‘em game. Especially when he proverbially goes “all in” by claiming he’ll sit out the entirety of the 2006 season.

The very IDEA he’ll be a full season hold out is absolute hogwash! Without any references to Maurice Clarett in regards to what a year off from playing can do to your stock, let’s pretend Bush attempted this ridiculous action he threatens:

First off, it would be fitting that Reggie’s last name is Bush because his approval rating with his fans would drop just as quickly as George W. Bush’s in his second presidential term. His jersey would stop selling (and lose all possibility for reselling should his lobbying for changing his number ever find success), his endorsement deals would be severed (millions lost), he’ll not be collecting a salary for an entire year (MORE millions lost) in order to risk killing his value or possibly his ENTIRE career altogether (SHITLOAD of millions lost).

He also has an example of “don’t let this happen to you” from which he can directly observe every cent lost. No not Maurice Clarett. . . I already said I wouldn’t reference him — I mean former USC teammate Matt Leinart who (albeit for nobler reasons) went from a guaranteed first rounder who’d start out of the gate to a Back-up QB in ARI-Fricken-ZONA (of course . . . perhaps better that than attempting to play QB for the 49ers . . . but I digress).

Maybe Reggie Bush isn’t all about the money and maybe he’s all about making sure he isn’t a victim of the “D-word” (DISRESPECT) by having contract numbers less than that of Mario Williams . . . But if RESPECT is his reason, I would use his endorsement deals to prove he’s established that. And not just dinky appearances, I’m talkin’ gear for Reebok and video games for EA Sports . . . it’s in the FAME!

But regardless of the fact he has thrown in all his chips when he can’t win the hand in a bout of seemingly blazing and brash stupidity . . . we look across to someone else at the table — the Sports Media.

95% of them ACTUALLY give this threat CREDENCE! They are talking about how it would hurt the Saints if he did that and what damage it would do and blah blah blah . . . Hey look, I’m talking about Bush and his hold out, too. It’s the off-season . . . we as NFL fans are bored out of our skulls with baseball, but don’t let the “cabin fever” cloud any reality.

The bottom line is this — if Reggie Bush doesn’t play, the Saints still have aces in the hole to greatly improve their season. The removal of QB Aaron Brooks at the helm, the arrival of Pro Bowl QB Drew Brees to replace him, and the return of Deuce McCallister as the best of a majorly STACKED RB corps.

But if Bush plays his cards right and he DOES sign; with his salary (which will likely be reworked to even more lucrative levels assuming his success), his endorsements, overall fame, and maybe eventually an NFC South Division Championship . . . he can be known as the next “Moneymaker”.