Reggie Bush was happy to see his running mate Deuce McAllister practice in the morning and afternoon on Tuesday at training camp in Jackson.
It was a sign that McAllister is coming back from the knee injury that curtailed his 2007 season. Deuce took a pass from Drew Brees and powered his way into the end zone.
"I know Deuce is really focusing on getting back to 100 per cent and getting back healthy to get ready for the season," said Bush. "I know he's going to have an edge and a chip on his shoulder this year about him and proving to people he can come back after such a tough injury."
Bush was forced to be the No. 1 back last season when McAllister went down and the pounding forced Bush to the sidelines for the final four games with a knee injury. Bush doesn't figure to handle the tough running load this season and will be used more like he was in 2006 when he lined up all over the field.
Bush talked with the media on Monday and is ready for Thursday's first preseason game against the Cardinals at Phoenix. Here are some slices with his question-and-answer session:
Q: Are you excited about playing someone beside yourself?
A:Yes. I'm excited about getting out there and get the chance to see what we look like against another team. I think everybody's excited, not only to play against another team, but to get out of Jackson for a couple of days. We're really looking forward to that and putting on a solid performance.
Q: How has your training camp been going? A: It's been pretty good. It's a tough training camp. I always is. It's about how we take on the mental approach. I am more prepared than before. I think it's been a pretty good camp so far and I'm definitely getting a lot more out of it.
Q: How was your performance in last Saturday's scrimmage? A: It was good to score a touchdown and I thought we had some very positive things to take away from that scrimmage on offense and there's some things that we can learn from too. It's only a scrimmage. We've been here a week and a half and we have a long way to go. It's a good reminder of how much hard work it takes to be an elite team year in and year out.
Q: Has anything stood out in this camp for you? A: I think just that this is our third year under coach Sean Payton under the same system and I just feel like our guys are a lot more prepared mentally. We understand the offense more and I just feel like we're clicking more. At this time last year and the year before, I didn't feel like we had made as much progress.
Q: Can you talk about what it's like going against the defense so far this season? A: The defense is playing great. The credit goes to coach Ed Oregon and the job he's doing over the defensive line. He's one of the best line coaches in the business and he's doing a great job so far and the defense is playing great right now. We didn't have as much progress last year, so I feel like we're definitely getting a lot out of this training camp this year.
Q: Does it make you feel better to have you and Deuce out there healthy? A: Ir\t definitely gives me a chance to get a little bit of rest. Having him back helps a lot. Hopefully he'll be 100 per cent by the time the season starts. We believe he will. It's great to have another back in here to give you a break.
Q: Did you feel like your speed and instinct was there as it has always been when healthy following the scrimmage? A: Yes. I've never been worried about my speed. Out at that scrimmage, I think people wereorried about their stamina with the heat. I felt like it really wore me down. Just from hearing guys talking about the scrimmage, it kind of weighed on everybody the same way. It was really hot and you get tired really easily. I feel like everybody was more worried about that.
Q: At what point last season did you feel like you were 100 per cent prior to the knee injury limiting you? A: I've been 100 per cent since about after the season.
Q: How late in the season were you feeling really good? A: Towards the end of the season, probably until week 12.
Q: It wasn't something that bothered you and lingered for a long time? A: No.
Q: Do you expect to be used more in the role from 2006 this year than last year's role? A: I don't know. There are a lot of things up in the air. I'm not exactly sure in terms of what coaches want to do. They definitely know I want to be back there returning punts and being involved as much as possible in he offense. That's a question more for coach Payton to answer.
:Q: Do you think it will be a running back by committee with you, Deuce and Pierre Thomas sharing carries? A: I don't know. It's up to the coaches. I think it's a matter of how I position myself, how I work, how much progress they see I'm making in camp. I really try to focus on my progress and that's really it. I'm trying to better myself throughout this camp and see that I'm progressing every day, getting better every day. Whatever situation or scenario they put me in, or however they want to use me is fine with me.
Q: Would you welcome being the No. 1 punt returner? A: Of course. I don't know of anybody who would turn down a starting position. It gives you a rhythm, it gives you a chance to return some punts and the more you return, the better you become at it and the better the chances of scoring a touchdown are.
Q: With Shockey maybe taking away some of your touches, does that potentially give you a more prominent role in the kicking game? A: Yes, with the addition of Shockey, it brings a lot to our offense. It brings an edge and a tight end who can stretch the field and who defenses always have to keep in the back of their mind. Shockey's a plus for us and we hope that he's going to be as tough as possible and a good contributor here.
Cornerback Mike McKenzie appears to be ready for the season opener. He got his hands on two passes but couldn't hang on in Monday's practice. Defensive end could had two sacks in the practice. Cornerback Randall Gay took a pass out of Skyler Green's hands and could have scored had it been in a game.
Rookie Adrian Arrington continues to impress. He took in a pass from the outstretched hands of cornerback Jason David and made a great catch in the practice.
When asked to name their favorite movies for an NFL project, Brees said "Caddyshack." His reasoning? "I love golf, and that is a movie that makes me laugh from start to finish." Payton said he liked "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." His reason? "Jack (Nicholson)," replied the coach.
SOME HITHER, OTHERS YON: Peyton Manning is a shoo-in for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and another Orleanian, his wide receiver Reggie Wayne is a long shot. Manning, current out recovering from knee surgery, but could return late in the preseason, is a Super Bowl MVP, two-time NFL MVP, eight-time Pro Bowl selection, ranks No. 4 in NFL history with 306 passing touchdowns, No. 9 with 41,626 passing yards and No. 8 with 105 wins. He could wind up holding most if not all of the significant career passing records. "He could retire tomorrow and he'll still be a Hall of Famer," said Charean Williams, Fort Worth Star Telegram. "Manning changed the game in 1998, a time in which the league was starved for quarterbacks," said John Clayton, ESPN. "He opened the door for the offensive excellence that keeps the Colts in the Super Bowl race year-in and year-out."
Wayne has increased his reception total every year, including 104 in 2007; four straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards, including league-best in '07; two Pro Bowl appearances. "He's a long way away.but he'll have a shot if he continues to progress and has longevity," said Jason Bell, USA Today. "More rings could put him over."...My time is up. Ed Staton can be reached at edcoachstaton@yahoo.com.
Reggie Bush was happy to see his running mate Deuce 
