T.J. Duckett has a career yards-per-carry average of 3.9. Reggie Bush’s career YPC is 3.7. It’s just one number, but it says a lot - mostly about Bush. As we near fantasy drafts this month and next, there are a few players who usually go higher than they should in drafts, based mostly on hype related to (NFL) draft status and media glare. Eli Manning comes to mind, and so does Bush.

Essentially, the former No. 2 overall pick out of USC is a slot receiver who is mislabeled as a running back. This is great if you’re in a point-per-reception league, but bad for the rest of us. Do you really want a running back on your fantasy team who has three years in the league as a full-time player but who has rushed for more than 80 yards in a game all of two times, run for at least 100 yards just once and who has never totaled 600 rushing yards in a season? His teammate, Pierre Thomas, had three games of at least 85 rushing yards - and one 100-yard game - just in the Saints’ final six games of last season. Thomas also scored nine times on the ground in 2008, which is just three fewer times than Bush has over his entire career.

And let’s not forget the injuries. Over the past two seasons, Bush has played in just 22 of a possible 32 games. There was concern when he was coming out that he was too small in stature to hold up in the NFL, and though it’s too early to pass final judgment, that may turn out to be true. Then there are the fumbles. Bush has coughed up the rock 12 times in his 38 career games, losing seven of them.

“But he racks up the receiving yards” is another argument that people spit out. While it’s true he catches the ball very well, he doesn’t do an awful lot with it. He’s picked up just 7.5 yards per catch over his career. And just once, in his rookie season, has Bush totaled at least 450 receiving yards.

Again, in a point-per-reception league, Bush has value. That’s clear. But in standard leagues, it’d be far wiser to select Thomas instead of Bush. Unless you like injury-riddled, fumble-prone running backs that can’t seem to run the ball. Your choice.

Tags: Eli Manning, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Drafting, New Orleans Saints, Pierre Thomas, Receiving Yards, Receptions, Reggie Bush, Rushing Yards, Statistics, T.J. Duckett, Touchdowns

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Entry posted on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 7:10 am. Filed under tags: Eli Manning, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Drafting, New Orleans Saints, Pierre Thomas, Receiving Yards, Receptions, Reggie Bush, Rushing Yards, Statistics, T.J. Duckett, Touchdowns,
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