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| Authored by Paul Falewicz - 28th August, 2006 - 4:07 am
 In our last of the four quarterfinal match-ups we feature a battle between the league?s reigning MVP and a rookie who could soon become one of the NFL?s most talented players. Both Reggie Bush and Shaun Alexander are running backs, but which will make it to the Final Four?
The Case For Bush
Reggie Bush is one of the most hyped rookies in the history of the NFL, and rightfully so. He dazzled his way to the Heisman Trophy in his last season at USC, and just fell short of winning a national title against Vince Young and the Texas Longhorns. Bush is a freakish athlete whose athleticism is only matched by his blazing speed and cool charisma. He is the kind of player who could end up winning games, and putting millions of people in the stands at the same time.
The Case Against Bush
He might be the most athletic of all NFL running backs, but Reggie?s yet to prove that he can be the most durable. At USC, he shared carries with fellow rookie LenDale White, and often handed the ball over to White near the end zone. The question remains as to whether Bush can carry a full rushing load in the NFL, and whether or not, he?s durable enough to keep going after he?s been tackled thirty times.
The Case For Alexander
How?s 1,880 yards and twenty-seven touchdowns sound? If you?re an NFL GM that sounds like a 13-3 record, a Super Bowl appearance, and a bunch of dollar-signs. Heading into his seventh season in the NFL, Alexander has failed to reach 1,100 yards just once. That was 2000, his rookie year when he only rushed sixty-four times. Another MVP performance isn?t likely for Alexander who will turn 29 on Wednesday, but another productive season is almost a shoe-in.
The Case Against Alexander
There are only two concerns I have regarding Alexander. One is his age, as I said he will turn 29 before the season starts and we could see a decline in his production as early as this season. Also, he?s lost Steve Hutchinson, who fled to Minnesota after several years of service as a Seahawk offensive linemen, which could hurt his production. His size has also always concerned me, he?s just 5'11", but he?s obviously proved that he?s too good a back to have that stop him..
The choice is yours ? Who will make the Final Four?
Vote on our NFL main page to have your voice heard!
Also, submit your daily choice to Andrew.Perna@realgm.com in order to enter yourself in the running for a Mitchell & Ness Retro NFL Jersey from DistantReplays.com (a $300 value!). |
