Since when does 7 games define your career?

I don't understand why people react so vehemently to fair, honest criticism of one of our guys. What is there to be defensive about, to the extent that you'd call someone a hater or bandwagoner?

As a Saints fan, I want Reggie to be awesome. I want him to be the man, the phenom, the game changer we thought he'd be.

But he hasn't shown us any evidence that he will be that. All we have seen is expectations -- from us, from the media, and from opposing defenses who are currently showing him a lot of respect. What I'm worried about is the league figuring out that our emporer has no clothes. Yes, right now Reggie is a great decoy. How long will that be the case? How many games of mediocre numbers and no highlights will it take before teams treat him like an ordinary player?

Of course I'm rooting for Reggie a bunch. I'm hopeful that he will be the pimp I thought he would be. The question I'm asking myself is whether or not I have seen any evidence to prove my hopes are correct. The resultant question is, have I seen any evidence that he won't be the phenom.

Being honest with myself here (not hating, not bandwagon jumping), it certainly seems like there is more evidence to indicate that he will not be the impact player I thought he would be.

What's that evidence? Mostly, it's the fact that other running backs, even small ones, don't usually need time to be great runners in the NFL. Pass blocking takes time. Picking up blitzes takes time. Getting used to the length of the season takes time. But running the ball? Running backs usually get this pretty quick. Reggie runs sideways out of bounds.

Honsestly, seven games isn't enough time to figure out not to run straight out of bounds?

I thought after the Tampa game that Reggie had gained some confidence in his ability to create contact and drive people instead of trying to run around them, but he apparently still hasn't got it.

He runs like he has flags on his waist that can't get pulled, not like he's playing tackle football.

By no means am I ready to abandon Reggie as a weapon in this offense, but for the time being I say we pound Deuce, if he's healthy enough.