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Saints Sign Rafael Bush

By Ty Anania

Nov 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) runs after a catch as New Orleans Saints free safety Rafael Bush (25) and defensive back A.J. Davis (20) pursue during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Bengals defeated the Saints 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) runs after a catch as New Orleans Saints free safety Rafael Bush (25) and defensive back A.J. Davis (20) pursue during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Bengals defeated the Saints 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Saints brought back a familiar face in their secondary. Rafael Bush is back in black and gold.

The gang’s getting back together. Former backup safety Rafael Bush is back with the New Orleans Saints. We’ll wait on the contract details to make the final call, but the move looks from the onset to be very very very solid.

I say backup, but that doesn’t do much justice to Rafael Bush, who was always more than that in his tenure with New Orleans. The versatile safety saw a heavy percentage of snaps with the Saints three-safety-heavy sets. And while Bush didn’t light the world on fire, he got the job done.

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions strong safety Rafael Bush (31) does an interview with Fox reporter Mickey York after the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Lions won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions strong safety Rafael Bush (31) does an interview with Fox reporter Mickey York after the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Lions won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

With Jairus Byrd’s impending release, the Saints needed more bodies at safety. Bush is familiar with Sean Payton and has enough talent to crack the starting lineup.

The Saints now have four viable options at safety in Bush, Vonn Bell, Kenny Vaccaro and Erik Harris. Vaccaro is a lock to start, but behind him there will be a great camp battle. Bush is more of a deep safety than the LB-hybrid type, and should compete with Bell and Harris for the starting role. But he’s capable of moving around the field and should be a valuable asset to Dennis Allen’s “multiple” defense.

Bush signed with the Falcons out of college after going undrafted in 2010. He wound up on their practice squad, where the Denver Broncos scooped him up. After the 2011 season, Bush signed with the New Orleans Saints. He played three solid years and was a part of that 2013 Rob Ryan defense that finished 4th in the league. A pectoral injury landed him on IR in 2015, and he spent the 2016 season with the Lions.

Bush is 29 years old, so this doesn’t by any means preclude the Saints from looking for a safety in the draft. But it plugs up a major hole that goes from a “need” to a “want”. It gives the Saints more flexibility to address their other needs, and possibly gives them the opportunity to add an offensive piece.

Next: Team Standings: Defense

For those of us with Reggie Bush jerseys, hold off on any rejoicing. P.J. Williams currently holds the #25 jersey. Will he change? Will our #25 Bush jerseys be relevant one last time? Only time will tell. If you ask me, P.J., you gotta cough it up. Do it for the fans.

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