Another day in Saints camp: Bush fined for shoes; T-Rac still has McPherson smarting

[bengaldee]

usatoday.com

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — New Orleans rookie running back Reggie Bush drew more than just rave reviews for his fancy footwork Saturday in the Saints' preseason victory over the Tennessee Titans.
He also drew a fine.

The NFL objected to the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft wearing his new Adidas cleats. The league only allows players to wear Nike or Reebok shoes during games because of a marketing partnership.

Both Bush and the top pick in the draft, defensive end Mario Williams of North Carolina State, have signed endorsement deals with Adidas. The shoes in question are black with gold highlights and logo.

The fine was thought to be $10,000, but Bush, the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, originally said he was unsure of the total. He confirmed the fine after Monday's afternoon practice.

"Adidas took care of it," Bush said of the fine.

Bush rushed for 59 yards on six carries and caught two passes for 10 yards in his pro debut. The former Southern Cal back played about a quarter.

McPherson out indefinitely

Things were a bit more dire for backup quarterback Adrian McPherson.

Shortly after the Saints gathered for Monday morning's practice, McPherson limped over to an exercise bike, climbed aboard and started pedaling toward another comeback.

McPherson was run over by Titans mascot T-Rac during second-half warmups of the Saints-Titans game Saturday night. He said he never saw the golf cart coming as he prepared to catch a punt.

The second-year player had one MRI and is planning a second one to confirm the painful injury is no worse than a severe bruise of his right knee.

McPherson is perhaps best known as the quarterback kicked off the Florida State football team for gambling. He served a stint in the Arena Football League before the Saints took a chance on him in the 2005 draft.

He said Monday he's worked hard to make it to the NFL and the accident was a setback. He has been returning kickoffs and punts to add value to his bid to make the team as the third quarterback.

"I'm just a little disappointed because I worked so hard this season," McPherson said. "I know it was an accident, but something like that should never happen."

Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher and Saints coach Sean Payton discussed the accident Monday afternoon. But Fisher said he wanted to keep the conversation private and Payton was not available for comment after his morning news conference. GMs Mickey Loomis of the Saints and Floyd Reese of the Titans also have discussed the accident.

T-Rac uses a variety of motorized vehicles in his routines. The mascot was leaving the field after Saturday's halftime show when he hit McPherson.

Payton said encroachment on the field was a problem before the game, as well. A photographer stepped into the way of receivers running routes, something that also could have led to injury.

"Those are the things that concern you sometimes when it comes to the field of play," Payton said. "The field of play is the field of play, even when you're warming up. You've just got to make sure you keep those areas safe."