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Bush Continues Pushing Fins Along

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – When Reggie Bush was released by the New Orleans Saints, many thought it might be the beginning of the end of his once promising career.

Instead, Bush has enjoyed a career renaissance with the Miami Dolphins. In his career, Bush had never started all 16 games in a season and never ran for more than 581 yards in a year.

In 2011, Bush has rushed for 973 yards on 194 carries with the Dolphins. While he hasn't put it into the end zone much, just six rushing touchdowns, he has been the catalyst for the Dolphins offense in the second half of the season.

Bush punctuated his recent stellar play with Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. As snow fell, Bush ripped the Bills for 203 yards on 25 carries including a 76 yard touchdown run. In the game, he averaged 8.1 yards every time he touched the football.

For the season, Bush is averaging 5 yards per carry and has also caught 41 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown.

But dominating performances are not new for Bush. In college he ran for more than 200 yards three times. The most dominating performance came against Fresno State University when he ran for 294 yards and had more than 500 all purpose yards in the game.

Bush has two games to run for 28 yards and break the 1,000 yard rushing barrier for the first time in his NFL career. He's signed for another year with the Dolphins and could be a key player if the Fins take a young quarterback in the 2012 NFL Draft.

It also should be noted that it was former Fins head coach Tony Sparano who said before the season started that Bush could indeed become an every-down back in the NFL.

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