The importance of Reggie lined up as a RB

I may be wrong about this, but it appeared as though Reggie lined up as a RB way less times against the Falcons than he did in prior games (not counting where they put him in motion).

When i played the game back, I noticed that the Falcons brought pressure up the middle whenever Reggie was out of the backfield. This is the first time this year that a team has been able to to get pressure up the middle on Brees.

I have said all along that having Reggie in the backfield is the reason that Brees has enjoyed the pockets that he has gotten. Reggie's presence in the backfield means that the LB's and safeties have to cut off the corners and perimeters to defend against Bush's running style and the threat of screen plays to Bush. Without him in the backfield, there is little reason to guard the perimeters, because Deuce seldom bounces outside.

I love Deuce and think that there are benefits to having him out there on almost every down, however, last weeks game against the Falcons proved my theory about how defenses are forced to defend us when Bush is in the backfield vs. when he is on the sideline or split wide. Maybe this is something Payton has known all along.

I predict we will see plenty of #25 lined up in the backfield against S.F.