Reggie Bush Transcript

Written by Justin Macione (New Orleans Saints) Monday, 04 August 2008 01:45PM

Saints News

New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush - Monday, August 04, 2008

Q: How has your training camp been going?



A: It’s been pretty good. It’s a tough training camp, it always is. It’s about how we take on the mental approach. Being my second year, I have been more prepared than before. I think it’s been a pretty good camp so far and I’m definitely getting a lot out of it.

Q: Can you discuss your performance at the scrimmage?

A: It was good to score a touchdown at the scrimmage and I thought we had some very positive things to take away from that scrimmage on offense and there’s some things that we can learn from too. It’s only a scrimmage. We’ve only been here a week and a half and we have a long ways to go. It’s a good reminder of how much hard work it takes to be an elite team year in and year out.

Q: Are you excited to play against someone besides yourself?

A: I am obviously real excited to get out there and get a chance to see what we look like against another team after four quarters. I think everybody’s excited, not only to play against another team, but to get out of Jackson for a couple of days. We’re really looking forward to that and putting on a solid performance.

Q: Do you feel like you’re going into your second year in the league?

A: No, my third training camp. I was trying to make the point that I’m prepared for it, I’ve been through it twice and I know what to expect. Some of the younger guys, having been in their shoes my first year and really not knowing what hit me.

Q: Has anything stood out in this camp for you here?

A: I think just the fact that this is our third year under coach (Sean) Payton under this same system and I just feel like guys are a lot more prepared mentally. We understand the offense more and I just feel like we’re clicking more. At this time last year and the year before, I didn’t feel like we had as much progress.

Q: Can you talk about what it’s like going against the defense so far this year?

A: The defense is playing great. Obviously the credit goes to coach (Ed) Orgeron and the job he’s doing over the defensive line. He’s one of the best line coaches in the business and he’s doing a great job so far and their defense is playing great right now. We didn’t have as much progress last year, so I feel like we’re definitely getting a lot out of this training camp this year and hopefully we can carry it on to this first preseason game?

Q: Does it make you feel better to have both you and Deuce McAllister out there healthy?

A: It definitely gives me a chance to get a little bit of rest. Obviously having him back helps out a lot. Hopefully he’ll be 100 percent by the time the season starts. We believe he will. Obviously it’s great to have another back in here to give you a break.

Q: Do you notice any differences in him from last year?

A: Not necessarily, Deuce is Deuce and I know he’s just really focusing on getting back to 100 percent and getting himself back healthy to get ready for the season. I know he’s going to have an edge and have a chip on his shoulder this year about him and proving to people he can come back after such a tough injury.

Q: Did you feel like your speed and instinct was there as it has always been when healthy following that scrimmage?

A: Yes, I’m never really worried about my speed. Out at that scrimmage, I think people are more worried about their stamina, with that heat and how hot it was out there. I felt like it really wore me down, just from hearing guys and talking about the scrimmage, it kind of weighed on everybody the same. It was really hot and obviously with the heat, you get tired really easily. I feel like everybody was more worried about that.

Q: At what point last season did you feel like you were 100 percent prior the knee injury limiting you?

A: I’ve been 100 percent since about a month after the season.

Q: How late into the season were you feeling really good?

A: Towards the end of the season, probably until week 12?

Q: It wasn’t something that bothered you and lingered for a long time?

A: No.

Q: Do you expect to be used more in the role from 2006 this year than last year’s role?

A: I don’t know. There are a lot of things still up in the air. I’m not exactly sure in terms of what coaches want to do. They definitely know I want to be back there returning punts and being as involved as much as possible in the offense. That’s a question more for coach Payton to answer.

Q: Do you think it will be a running back by committee with you, Deuce McAllister and Pierre Thomas sharing carries?

A: I don’t know. What I see, doesn’t really matter. It’s up to the coaches. I think it’s a matter of how I position myself, how I work, how much progress they see I’m making at camp. I really try to focus on my progress and that’s really it. I’m trying to better myself throughout this camp and see that I’m progressing everyday, getting better everyday. Whatever situation or scenario they put me in, or however they want to use me is fine with me.

Q: Would you welcome being the number one punt returner?

A: Of course?

Q: Is there a reason? Does it give you more of a rhythm?

A: I don’t know of anybody who would turn down a starting position. It gives you a rhythm, it gives you a chance to return some punts and obviously the more punts you return, the better you become at it and the better the chances of scoring a touchdown are.

Q : With Jeremy Shockey maybe taking away some of your touches, does that potentially give you a more prominent role in the kicking game?

A: Yes, with the addition of Shockey, it brings a lot to our offense. It brings an edge and a tight end who can stretch the field, and who defenses always have to keep in the back of their mind. Shockey’s a plus for us and we hope that he’s going to be as tough as possible and a good contributor here.

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