[vincesanity82]

Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Saints running back Reggie Bush will be the subject of no less than eight national ad campaigns this season, including adidas, Subway, Visa, Pepsi and a public service campaign on obesity.

We've got nothing against Reggie Bush, who has great athletic potential and seems like a good guy off the field. But it's hard to escape the idea that Madison Avenue has decided to make Bush the next American sports superstar before he's done anything in the NFL to warrant such attention.

Remember: Although Bush made some great highlight-reel plays last season, his overall production puts him well behind the elite running backs of the NFL. As a rookie in 2006, he had 155 carries for 565 yards, a sub-par 3.6 yards per carry. He did catch 88 passes and make a solid contribution to the Saints' passing game, but even there, he managed a pedestrian 8.4 yards per catch.

And yet the media can't get enough of Bush. Even NFL Network is getting in on the act: A recent profile (which can be viewed on NFL.com) celebrated Bush's unique off-season training regimen while glossing over the fact that Bush's coach, Sean Payton, had hoped Bush would stay in New Orleans to work with the Saints' training staff during the off-season. Obviously, working out with a personal trainer is preferable to other activities Bush could engage in during the off-season (like pigging out with his former USC backfield mate LenDale White), but it's odd to see a player celebrated for going off on his own when most players are working out with their teammates.

Bush will appear on the cover of Men's Fitness in August, he's scheduled to show up at the ESPY awards, and he has more commercial filming obligations still ahead of him. That's all well and good as long as the Saints are winning. But if the Saints slip in the standings this year and Bush is appearing in every other commercial while still averaging 3.6 yards per carry, it won't take long before we see a Bush backlash.

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[Lefty Noob]

I agree that he might be spreading himself too thin, but let's give the kid a chance. He could well show up and have a monster season this year, then all of this will be forgotten. If he's appearing on the cover of Men's Fitness I think it's safe to say he's not ignoring his physical conditioning. And besides, starring in a commercial opposite Jared is better than hanging out at a strip club at 3:30 in the morning, right? Isn't this what the NFL wants?

[azrael492]

I was sick of hearing about him when he was still with USC. It didn't get any better last year when all I heard about was his draft position and his breaking NCAA rules. I hope at least his ads are entertainign like Peyton's

[Bette]

I saw the episode on Access. Other players have their own off season conditioning programs too in spite of what their coaches say. Its no big deal. He knows his body better than anyone.

Running backs can have a short career. Maybe he is just cashing in while he can. So are the sponsors. As long as it doesnt distract him from his main job, I say go for it.