This has gotten spicy -- I like it.
Fans are too impatient at times with player development.
Bigby is a great example. He is a tough, talented athlete who bounced around until he settled into a position and got an opportunity to show the talent he possesses.
He was not drafted because of concerns about his mental health -- frankly it was cultural misunderstanding as a Jamaican Rastafarian he did not act like some coaches expected.
Once the Packers started watching and listening to this kid they found a player with the heart of lion, who played fast and without fear. Will he make mistakes? Of course, but they will be mistakes of aggression and trying to make plays - not the mistakes based in fear or lacking physical skills.
Is Bush being picked on?
Of course Bush is the target -- what offensive coordinator would look at Harris, Woodson and Bush and not think Bush was the weakest link?
Of course that is true of almost every nickel back, especially in the context of comparison to two solid veterans. It does not however mean that Bush is a weak CB or player
Harris and Woodson also got beat and also drew penalties -- it goes with playing the position. Williamson had a step on Harris deep three times, but Holcomb's passes weren't quite on the money - yet no one has mentioned that, but instead highlight the play in which Bush got beat and Holcomb missed on the throw. Harris and Woodson drew multiple penalties, Bush drew none (a huge upgrade from previous nickel backs). Woodson's gambled and gave up a 40-yard post-corner completion to Wade after Charles undercut the route. Like I said it goes with the position.
This coaching staff (to their credit) are pretty damned honest and direct with their players -- good and bad, sparing neither.
Bush beat Blackmon, Walker, Williams and Dendy out for this spot. The coaching staff is pleased by his play and realize that sometimes a nickel back is going to get picked on and some times the defensive call is going to work against the DB.
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IMO that is what you are dismissing as "verbal back-patting."
Bush is young and tough. He is better at press coverage than in space. What you get with Bush is a talent that keeps battling and makes receivers earn what they get.
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Does he have room for improvement? Of course, plenty of it.
But much of what is directed at players by fans is at least partially guided by biases and lack of understanding of DB responsibilities in different defensive calls.
The job is still Bush's for a reason.
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I hope Blackmon, Walker and Williams keep developing and pushing him. I have no stake in who eventually wins the job. I want all of these young guys to develop and progress. There may be times when they have to step up and produce when a starter goes down -- much like Bush did against Philly when Harris went down.