Even though Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush fell just 14 yards shy of his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season, he still managed to be a difference maker on offense.

Bush’s elusiveness both as a runner and as a receiver presented challenges for opposing defensive coordinators every week and his unique skill set was on display very early in the season and near the very end. It’s what helped him win a Heisman Trophy at USC and what has kept him successful through seven NFL seasons.

In Miami’s 35-13 rout of the Oakland Raiders in Week 2 at Sun Life Stadium, Bush exploded for 172 yards and two highlight-reel touchdowns on 26 carries. Three months later on the same field in a 24-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 16, Bush caught two touchdown passes and ran for one. His second scoring reception from 12 yards out in the third quarter was textbook for a full-time receiver as he ran under the fade pass from rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the left corner of the end zone and managed to keep both feet in.

But where Bush made an even more lasting impact was in the locker room and on the sidelines, especially when it came to his interactions with the Dolphins’ rookies and younger players. This was a very young team that Head Coach Joe Philbin fielded, with two rookies (running back Lamar Miller and fullback Jorvorskie Lane) and a second-year player (running back Daniel Thomas) in the backfield with Bush.

Thomas, Miller and Lane combined for 588 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 155 carries for a 3.8 yards-per-carry average and added 280 receiving yards and one touchdown on 32 receptions. All three credited Bush with mentoring them and setting the bar for them in practice and in games.

Signature Moment

Bush’s dominant performance against the Raiders in Week 2 encapsulated everything he was capable of over four quarters. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry and showed off his sprinter’s speed on a 65-yard touchdown run around left end, turning the corner behind a pulling center Mike Pouncey and racing down the sideline into the end zone. But his next touchdown run of 23 yards truly captured the imagination a she broke four tackles – and possibly a few ankles – on his way into the end zone.

Coaching Perspective

“He’s a real professional as I’ve stated before. I like the way he goes about his business. He’s serious about what he does in the building, on the practice field, in the weight room. He takes care of his business well. Obviously, he’s made a valuable contribution on the field and I think he’s a guy that young guys look up to. He’s a good example for the younger players.”– Head Coach Joe Philbin

Teammate Perspective

“He’s phenomenal. He’s a leader out there and he goes out there and plays hard every play. He makes our jobs easier and we love having him as our running back.” – Dolphins center Mike Pouncey