Nov 20, 2011; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush (22) hauls in a catch as Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Kelvin Sheppard (55) defends during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The specialization of skill-sets suited for a particular role obviously has advantages as it allows the Lions to take advantages of particular weaknesses in a defense. However, the Lions’ use of personnel also has the potential to severely tip their hand to opposing defenses.

Reggie Bush and Mikel Leshoure are different players and won’t be used to do the same things. It’s an overly simplistic explanation but the Lions will look to get Bush free in space while Leshoure will be the more traditional between the tackles runner.

The Lions will have to flip the script just enough to keep defenses honest or punish defenses cheating towards a tendency, but can’t do it so often as to misuse their running backs. Jim Schwartz touched on another way the Lions can add a level of deception to their offensive attack:

During the NFC coaches breakfast this morning Jim Schwartz said we could see Leshoure or Bell and Reggie Bush on the field together in 2013.

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) March 20, 2013

That likely means we’ll see a combination of two-back backfields and Bush split out wide. Having Bush line up on the outside accomplishes the goal of giving him opportunities to work in space while also having Leshoure in the backfield gives the defense something else to think about and another option for Matthew Stafford as he reads the defense before the snap.

The NFL is all about matchups and the different ways the Lions can use their running backs thanks to the addition of Reggie Bush helps to ensure they have more matchup advantages than they had in 2012.

Sept 9, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush (22) rushes against Houston Texans defensive back Quintin Demps (27) during the second half at Reliant Stadium. The Texans won 30-10. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

Bush has just one career kickoff return but he returned has returned 98 punts, although none since 2011. His first NFL touchdown came on a punt return as a rookie in 2006 and he returned three more for scores during the 2008 season. In January 2010, Bush’s 83-yard punt return for a touchdown was the final score in the Saints’ 45-14 Divisional round blowout of the Arizona Cardinals on their way to a Super Bowl championship.

He’s clearly capable, but is it a realistic to expect Bush to be the Lions primary punt returner in 2013? That’s tough to say without comment from the coaching staff but there isn’t any reason at this point in time to immediately dismiss the possibility. Bush joined Valenti and Foster on 97.1 the Ticket this afternoon and while he said that returning punts was not something he has discussed with the coaching staff, he did indicate a willingness to do so.

But the reasons to suggest Bush could be an option go beyond his willingness. John Bonamego, the Lions new special teams coach, was the special teams coach in New Orleans during Bush’s first two years as a pro. With player and coach reunited, it’s something to think about.

Dec. 23, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush (22) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quartet against the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a question that Bush has been asked since he joined the NFL in 2006. Bush wore the number 5 in college but NFL rules limit running backs to numbers 20 through 49. After being drafted by the New Orleans Saints, Bush settled on the number 25. Upon joining the Miami Dolphins, Bush wore the number 22.

Of course, the number 22 has been retired by the Lions in honor of Bobby Layne and the number 25 belongs to Mikel Leshoure. That means Bush will have to pick a new number. And he has:

#Lions RB Reggie Bush will wear No. 21. bit.ly/YscDTg #freeagency

— Detroit Lions (@DetroitLionsNFL) March 14, 2013

Reggie Bush jerseys may not outsell Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson jerseys this offseason but you can bet there will be more than a few number 21 jerseys sprinkling the Ford Field crowd by the time the 2013 season starts.