Reggie Bush-Matt Leinart -- Who has brighter future ?

Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland grinded into the early morning Thursday, surpassing 2 a.m. as he and agent Joel Segal hammered out details of a trade that would potentially send Bush to the Dolphins, sources told the Miami Herald.

Ireland had not yet pulled the trigger on the deal in the middle of the night, and Bush still would have the option to accept the renegotiated terms of the contract, but everyone was headed in the right direction, sources said.

Ireland eventually wanted to sleep on the possibility, meaning the trade isn’t likely to be finalized until a more reasonable hour Thursday morning. The two teams agreed on their terms for the trade, but the contract negotiations remained the outstanding issue.

The Saints were planning to eventually release Bush because of a contract that owed him $11.8 million in base salary and bonuses. Once New Orleans selected running back Mark Ingram in the first round of April’s draft, Bush’s eventual departure became all the more clear.

But before New Orleans was to part ways, the team first began testing the waters to see if it could gain some compensation from an organization wishing to avoid a competition for his services. Ireland decided to make the move.

The Herald’s sources did not disclose the exact compensation of the potential deal because the trade was not yet finalized, but it is not expected to be an early-round pick. Instead, the true challenge remains getting Bush to agree to the restructured contract.

Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, who first reported that Miami and New Orleans had agreed to terms for a trade, said the deal was contingent on Bush agreeing to a new contract with the Dolphins. He could choose to return to New Orleans at a reduced rate.

As of early Thursday morning, that did not appear to be a major obstacle, and Bush seemed willing to make the move, sources said.

Should the trade be consummated, the Dolphins would acquire a dynamic player they hope will provide the lightning to rookie Daniel Thomas’ thunder. Bush would also provide a much-needed threat in the return game.

In five years, Bush rushed 524 times for 2,090 yards. He caught 294 passes for 2,142 yards and scored 29 touchdowns combined on offense.

Bush, though, has struggled at times to stay healthy. Only once – his rookie season in 2006 – was he able to complete a full 16-game season. Last year, he played in just eight games and rushed for 150 yards because of a broken right fibula.

In 2007, he tore his posterior cruciate ligament. In 2008, he tore his meniscus. And in 2009, he suffered a bruised knee. All three injuries required him to miss two or more weeks.

But Bush’s ability to provide a big-play threat are also well documented. Bush was a favorite of Saints coach Sean Payton, who is very close friends with Dolphins coach Tony Sparano.



The decision to make a trade for Bush would very likely end any potential interest in Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw. It also would likely draw an end to the careers of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in Miami.