http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2468489
Bush has first full practice with Saints, wears No. 25
Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS -- Reggie Bush wore No. 25 instead of his familiar No. 5 and went through his first complete practice as an NFL player when the New Orleans Saints began a three-day mini-camp Friday.
Bush's petition to wear No. 5, even though it's not among the numbers designated for running backs, was denied by the NFL last month, shortly after he hobbled through a rookie mini-camp because of a strained right hamstring.
The Heisman Trophy winner, who was selected by New Orleans with the second pick in the April draft, split time with former Pro Bowl running back Deuce McAllister, who's coming off knee surgery last season.
Bush looked fluid and comfortable.
"This was a chance to work with the veterans who are going to be our teammates so that was good for the rookies," he said. "The leg feels good and I was able to run around and do the things I couldn't do in the rookie mini-camp.
"I'm coming from USC where we ran a pro-style offense and the coaches really prepared us for the NFL. So everything is kind of coming naturally for me."
McAllister tested his knee on the field for the first time last week during four days of Organized Team Activities.
"That was a bridge that I crossed," McAllister said Friday. "I know I'm not 100 percent, but I have to go out there and work and get some work done on it. I'm going to continue to build it up for training camp. I want to be 100 percent for the start of the season. The big mental thing that you face is can I be successful, can I be the same back I was before."
Quarterback Drew Brees, who has been limited because of surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder in January, threw passes in a Saints practice for the first time since leaving San Diego via free agency in March.
Brees was limited to throws of 15 yards and shorter in the morning practice and didn't throw any in the afternoon practice. He'll follow a similar routine the rest of the weekend.
"Not a bad one-two punch, huh?" Brees said of McAllister and Bush. "Getting the chance to watch those two guys and see how it's all going to come together right now is pretty exciting."
Fred McAfee, a 15-year veteran running back and special teamer, had worn No. 25 almost exclusively since high school but is now wearing 32 after relinquishing 25 to Bush.
"Since high school that number has always found its way back to me," McAfee said. "I wore it in the Super Bowl and I wore it in the Pro Bowl. It's been great to me."
Bush is donating 25 percent of his royalties from jersey sales to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, and half of those funds will be distributed by McAfee, who said he'll help Katrina victims in his native Mississippi.
The Saints on Friday signed two linebackers _ former Baltimore Ravens player Tommy Polley and Jay Foreman, formerly of the Texans. To make room for them, the team released linebacker Chris Moore and quarterback Joel Klatt.
"We feel that one area of concern is linebacker," coach Sean Payton said. "We need to make sure that we have enough guys in here to have enough depth. We're going to keep looking at guys. It wasn't a good group a year ago and we're hoping it's better than what we saw on film from last year."
The Saints also signed former Cleveland Browns tight end Billy Miller, who's entering his seventh season, and released Troy Bienemann to make space on the roster.
Reggie Bush
Linear Mode
