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Reggie Bush Sees Big Opportunity Playing With Calvin Johnson

By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak

ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) – Reggie Bush could have stayed in Miami. He could have gone to Arizona. He might have packed his bags for Seattle or Atlanta. A big reason he chose Detroit was Calvin Johnson.

Bush, one of the best known running backs in the league, is excited to play on the Lions' offense with Johnson, who may one day be known as one of the best wide receivers ever.

"Just watching the film, just seeing the way they play him, it's clear that defenses, they scheme their whole defense around him and his ability to be able to score from anywhere on the field," Bush said.

Needless to say, that leaves a distracted defense vulnerable to Bush's rushing ability.

"I definitely see the opportunity to be able to make an impact on this offense right away," Bush said. "When you talk about what they were able to do when they had Jahvid Best, they were doing something special."

Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said the addition of Bush means the Lions now have an established, dependable rusher who can also catch.

"First of all, he gives us a running back that has produced in this league, really in the last two years done a really good job of just carrying the ball," Linehan said. "Even prior to his last stop, he was doing a lot of the things you'll see him do in our offense and [being] a dual-threat guy.

"He gives us a dynamic a lot like what we got with Jahvid," Linehan added. "He definitely gives us a guy that can be an effective rusher and effective receiver."

The constant comparisons between Bush and Best allude to the speedy running back the Lions drafted out of Cal who is still on the roster but is not attending mini-camp. He has a history of serious concussions, has not played in a game since Oct. 16, 2011, and cannot get cleared to play by doctors.

The Lions have not said much about a timeline for any possible return by Best, but with the signing of Bush, they have moved on when it comes to the playing field.

"By having a guy like Reggie, we're able to put stuff in that we didn't have before because we didn't have that type of player," wide receiver Nate Burleson said. "We were missing that Jahvid Best – type speed, and we have that with Reggie."

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