After a “short” two-day holdout, RB Reggie Bush is now an official member of the New Orleans Saints.  The deal is for six years, but the financial compensation was not officially announced, although it’s rumored to be in the $55 million to $60 million range with a guarantee of about $26.3 million.

Bush and the Saints can only benefit from only a two-day holdout, as opposed to a long holdout and even rumored possibility that Bush sit out the whole season and re-enter the draft in 2007.  With a new coaching staff, Bush needed to be in camp in order to maximize his performance this coming season.

The current Heisman Trophy winner, taken second overall in this past NFL Draft, Bush had a lot of hype and just as many highlights in his final season at USC.  However, at the Rose Bowl, Bush didn’t make as much of an impact as many thought he would and, instead, it was teammate LenDale White (now with the Tennessee Titans) who starred as the RB for the game.  Was there some sort of reason based on talent as to why White was being featured and Bush on the sidelines?

Besides USC coach, Pete Carroll, no one may ever know.  Either way, both USC RBs performed well enough to be chosen by an NFL team and now, both are signed and ready to start fulfilling the role of RB of the future.  However, it is Bush who could have the most impact, not only for the Saints, but for the NFL as a whole since he is fairly popular and comes from a winning program at USC.

I suspect that Bush will touch the ball at least 20 times a game, with about fifteen coming from handoffs from the QB.  Bush is too talented to let sit and he is one of the favorites for Offensive Rookie of the Year, if not the favorite.