The Miami Dolphins lost to the New York Jets yesterday, coming up short (or wide left) in overtime. Miami was dominating the game in the first half, with running back Reggie Bush able to go anywhere he wanted, averaging over six yards per carry. That is, until Bush was lost for the day with a knee injury with 23 seconds to go in the second quarter.
After the game, Jets linebacker Calvin Pace told the media, "I guess he was doing his thing for a quarter or two. We had to put him on out. We didn't see him again."
Add that to New York head coach Rex Ryan's comments about wanting to put "hot sauce" on Bush, and suddenly the "bounty" red flags begin popping up all over.
Today, Pace spoke to the media, and open his comments with a clarification about having to put Bush out:
"(Before I) answer any question about any game stuff, apparently, I said something about Reggie Bush trying to get him out of the game. I wasn't trying to say it as if we were trying to hurt him. I'm sad to see him get hurt. We aren't running any kind of bounty system or anything like that, and actually, looking at the play, somebody just fell on his knee. That's all I have to say. I guess I need to say things in a different manner, and I'll do a better job of it next time."
Of course, there really is nothing to Pace's post game comments about Bush. The hit on Bush was clean, and in no way did it appear as anyone was attempting to hurt him. It simply looked like a tackle in which Bush hit his knee into someone's helmet. But, in today's Bounty-gate NFL, Pace had to make the clarification remarks.
And, luckily, Bush's knee injury is nothing serious, and he could be back as early as this week.