AP

The Dolphins aren’t paying Reggie Bush $5 million this year to be a “satellite” player. They expect him to play on early downs . . . like most running backs.

“I have a strong belief this guy can carry the ball on first and second down,” coach Tony Sparano said via Jeff Darlington.

It appears that’s how Miami sold the opportunity to Bush, who mentioned he would be used more as a running back than a receiver.

“I’ve always wanted to be featured back and there’s an opportunity here for that,” Bush said Friday via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.

We see Bush as a solid complement to rookie Daniel Thomas, who is a between-the-tackles runner. But the Dolphins are likely to be disappointed if they try to turn Bush into something he’s not. He’s never run consistently between the tackles. He wears down.

If Bush wasn’t able to find consistent success under Sean Payton in the Saints offense, we have our doubts it can happen anywhere. Much less on the Dolphins.