Those are five words I never thought I’d write, but [intlink id=”88″ type=”category”]Jarrett Bush[/intlink] was actually an asset for the Green Bay Packers during the 2010 season.
No, he’s not an All Pro in the making, but the Packers faith in Bush, which often seemed misplaced, finally paid off. The idiotic penalties disappeared, Bush finally developed into a serviceable NFL cornerback and became one of the team’s best special teams players.
I was always the first to point out when Bush screwed up — and it’s happened often in the past few years — and called for him to be cut on numerous occasions, so I’m happy to give the guy credit for turning things around.
It’s been an ugly ride, though.
There were the 12 special teams penalties from 2007-09. There was the terrible cornerback play when Bush was thrust into the nickel and, later, the starting lineup in 2009, when the Packers secondary was decimated by injuries. There was what seemed to be a complete unawareness of the football, which manifested itself both in coverage and on special teams.
But that’s the past. I’m done bagging on the guy. He’s worked hard and, dare I say it, become a playmaker for the Packers.
In addition to his 12 special teams tackles (add seven in the playoffs), which was second on the team, Bush has proven himself as a gunner. He played a key role in the Packers playoff-clinching win over the Chicago Bears, downing two punts inside the 5, in what turned out to be a field position game.
He’s also proven himself as an option at cornerback, something unthinkable as recently as 2009. With [intlink id=”143″ type=”category”]Charles Woodson[/intlink] and [intlink id=”1061″ type=”category”]Sam Shields[/intlink] injured in the Super Bowl, Bush stepped in and came up with five tackles, a pass defended and a huge interception, which the Packers turned into a touchdown and a 21-3 lead.
I won’t call him a hero, as one site did, but I will say this.
Well done, Jarrett Bush.
Thanks for proving me wrong.