Cory's Corner: Jarrett Bush made the decision easy for the Packers

Jarrett Bush getting busted for performance-enhancing drugs was the best thing that could’ve happened to the Packers.

Bush will be a spectator for the first four games of the upcoming NFL season.

But the reason why this is such a godsend is because the 31-year-old is a free agent. The Packers don’t have to hope and pray nothing else happens to the position like they did when tight end Andrew Quarless got arrested for acting like a lunatic over a week ago.

First of all, let’s be honest. Bush was terrible at coverage. As a defensive back, he played the least amount of coverage snaps last year with 22. I can still remember when Ben Roethlisberger lit up the Packers but mainly Bush in 2009 to the tune of 503 yards.

And then I hear the special teams argument. Bush’s main position is special teams and that’s why he’s on this team. Really? Because there were numerous times when he looked anything but special out there. The fact that the Packers rewarded that kind of mediocrity with a three-year, $5.2 million deal is a head scratcher.

But now Bush may have written his last chapter. The whispers of good football that he once had are now clearly behind him and what team is going to want to throw away the first four games of the season just for a special teams guy?

Bush is your classic undergdog story. He was undrafted out of Utah State and as soon as Carolina cut him loose, the Packers scooped him up. And don’t get me wrong, he’s been serviceable. But just because his position says cornerback or defensive back doesn’t mean that he can or should be trusted there.

It’s amazing to think that he’s been a Packer since 2006. He has tremendous heart and understood early on that special teams was his ticket to stick and stay in this league. But unfortunately heart only goes so far. Sooner or later, you’re going to be asked to complement that deep desire with state-of-the-art ability. How much longer would a guy in his 30s toil on special teams while watching youngsters steal snaps that he would’ve liked?

Bush just reached the end of the line. Unless he can showcase a hidden skill that nobody has ever seen, Bush’s time in the NFL is likely over. And that’s why he was taking PEDs — because deep down he knew it too.

With Ted Thompson using his first two draft picks this year on a pair of athletic defensive backs, Bush’s days in Green Bay would’ve been numbered anyway.

He just made the decision for everybody upstairs that much easier. 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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Comments (8)

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Evan's picture

July 14, 2015 at 02:08 pm

I still believe Bush could have been a halfway decent safety if he had been converted early in his career.

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PortlandMark's picture

July 14, 2015 at 02:34 pm

I'll always remember Bush for his Super Bowl interception, the way he helped keep Devon Hester from hurting the Packers in 2010, and of course his game clinching interception against the Falcons in 2013, a play that helped salvage the season that resulted in another division title. He had a great run in GB. Hopefully he saved his money and has a good life post NFL.

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aaronqb's picture

July 14, 2015 at 02:59 pm

Replacing older players with younger players is a necessity in the NFL. Older players who are on the fringe shouldn't be on the roster. Suspension or not ... this is a good move for the Packers. It reflects what we all know - the Packer roster is in a good place.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 14, 2015 at 04:02 pm

I agree that Bush made the decision easy for GB (though I think it had already been made). Drafting 2 CBs merely replaced Tramon and House. Gunter looking good might have hurt Bush, though I doubt that too. Goodson and Gunter both looking good, if that really happened, might have hurt Bush. It was just time. I don't know that it is a godsend for GB, but it might mean that Bush would be available to GB should misfortunes arise mid season.

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LeagueObsrvr's picture

July 14, 2015 at 04:26 pm

I agree Reynaldo. I didn't think Bush figured into the Packers plans going forward despite the suspension. Between McCarthy vowing to make sweeping changes on special teams, and Thompson spending a couple of high picks on DB's meant the writing was on the wall for Jarret Bush.

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John Galt III's picture

July 14, 2015 at 06:51 pm

I wish him well and hope his replacement is better.

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sonomaca's picture

July 14, 2015 at 11:08 pm

So, the vaunted super-fit workout warrior was a bit of a phony.

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ray nichkee's picture

July 15, 2015 at 02:59 am

Does minnesota need special teams help?

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