Bush comes out of shell to outshine Tiki
Reggie arrived Sunday and Tiki left, a changing of the guard for elite, elusive running backs.
New Orleans’ 30-7 win over Tiki Barber and the New York Giants was Reggie Bush’s coming out party as an NFL back: 126 yards on 20 carries, almost double his previous high of 67 on opening day. He almost threw in a 57-yard punt return for a score. It was overturned on replay when a Giant was spotted brushing him just before he got up and ran after diving over a couple of potential tacklers.
Barber? He was left with the bile of the latest embarrassment in his team’s fall from 6-2 to 7-8. It was his final game in Giants Stadium and the Giants went all out to celebrate him, making him the only player the team introduced before the game, then celebrating his career on the Jumbotron at halftime.
On Sunday, Bush was the role model, although in truth, there was nothing Barber could do about that.
Barber finished with 16 carries for 71 yards, but they were meaningless. The Giants got 67 yards on their first possession, 55 on a touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress. They got 75 for the rest of the game and never took a snap in Saints territory.
Peyton Manning sets record
Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning reached 4,000 yards passing for the seventh season, an NFL record.
Manning came into the game against the Houston Texans needing 90 yards to break a tie with Dan Marino. He reached the mark on an 8-yard pass to Marvin Harrison in the second quarter. Four plays later, Manning threw a touchdown pass to Aaron Moorehead.
Lions fans stage protest
The Detroit Lions’ latest miserable season can’t end soon enough for their disappointed fans.
About 100 spectators left their seats midway through the second quarter of the Lions’ 26-21 loss to the Chicago Bears and called for the firing of general manager Matt Millen as they gathered in Ford Field’s atrium.
The walkout, planned by a group of bloggers, was scheduled to start with 8:57 left in the second quarter – honoring the Lions’ 1957 championship. Detroit has only won one playoff game since then.
Around the league
The Minnesota Vikings have told receiver Marcus Robinson he is being released, Robinson’s agent told the Associated Press. A Vikings spokesman confirmed the story and said the team would have no further comment Sunday. … Matt Leinart sprained his left shoulder late in the first half of Arizona’s game against San Francisco, ending the quarterback’s strong rookie season one game early. … Washington Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs broke a shoulder blade in the first quarter of the game against the St. Louis Rams.