After much anticipation, Detroit Lions fans can rest assured that Reggie Bush - who quickly became a top free agent target for the Lions this offseason - arrived in Detroit Tuesday after the opening of free agency at 4 p.m. ET.
Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew was very clear in his description of the kind of running back he was hoping to find this offseason.
"We need that shifty back that can come in and be a change-of-pace guy and catch passes out of the backfield," Mayhew said after a disappointing 4-12 season.
"A guy that can run routes and get one-on-one and beat a linebacker. That's what Jahvid (Best) gave us, a guy with some juice and some elusiveness."
Check all the boxes next to Bush’s name when it comes to that checklist.
The Lions dearly missed the big-play pop Best brought to their offense and filling that need is a big priority for Mayhew and Co.
In two seasons with the Lions, Best played in 22 games, with 15 starts. In those 22 games, he carried 255 times for 945 yards and had 85 receptions for 774 yards. He scored nine touchdowns – six rushing, three receiving.
Bush had 966 yards rushing in 2012 and 1,086 in 2011 with the Dolphins. During those two seasons, he also had 78 catches for 588 yards. He scored 15 touchdowns: 12 rushing and three on receptions.
He averaged 5.0 yards per carry in 2011 and 4.3 in 2012.
Bush had seven runs of 20-plus yards in 2011 and six in 2012. He had TD runs of 76 and 28 yards in 2011 and a 65-yard touchdown run in 2012.
That’s certainly the "juice" Mayhew and the Lions are looking for.
If he signs with the Lions, Bush will add the missing compliment to 
