Saints Re-Sign S Rafael Bush, TE Michael Higgins and G Eric Olsen
For Immediate Release: February 14, 2013
The New Orleans Saints announced today that they have re-signed S Rafael Bush, TE Michael Higgins and G Eric Olsen. All three players are exclusive rights free agents. The announcement was made by Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis.
Bush, 5-11, 200, joined the Saints prior to week one of the 2012 regular season off of waivers from the Denver Broncos. He appeared in all 16 games for New Orleans and led the team with 15 special teams tackles (14 solo), also adding a fumble recovery. Bush also added depth to the Saints defensive backfield and posted 13 tackles (nine solo), a 40-yard interception return, one pass defense, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Bush was originally signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina State in 2010. Starting out on his career on the Falcons practice squad, Bush was signed to the active roster for their final two games. After starting the 2011 season on the Falcons practice squad, the Williston, S.C. native was signed to the Denver active roster at midseason and appeared in six regular season and two postseason contests.
Higgins, 6-6, 242, was first signed by New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2011 out of Nebraska-Omaha. He's appeared in four career games with one start and posted two receptions for one yard. After spending the first 12 weeks of the 2012 season on the practice squad, Higgins was signed to the active roster for the final five weeks of the season and appeared in two games with one start, posting one catch.
Olsen, 6-3, 305, signed with New Orleans following the conclusion of the 2011 regular season and appeared in all 16 games in 2012, starting four games as an additional blocker on the offensive line. Originally a sixth-round draft choice by the Denver Broncos in 2010 out of Notre Dame, Olsen spent his entire rookie season on the active roster of the Broncos, appearing in one game. After spending the 2011 regular season on the practice squad of the Washington Redskins, Olsen joined the Saints active roster in the postseason. At Notre Dame, he played 44 games, starting his final 31 contests and seeing time at all three interior line positions. As senior in 2009, Olsen started at center for the first time and received third team All-America honors from The Sporting News.
The New Orleans Saints announced today that they have re-signed S Rafael Bush, TE Michael Higgins and G Eric Olsen. All three players are exclusive rights free agents. The announcement was made by Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis.
Bush, 5-11, 200, joined the Saints prior to week one of the 2012 regular season off of waivers from the Denver Broncos. He appeared in all 16 games for New Orleans and led the team with 15 special teams tackles (14 solo), also adding a fumble recovery. Bush also added depth to the Saints defensive backfield and posted 13 tackles (nine solo), a 40-yard interception return, one pass defense, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Bush was originally signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina State in 2010. Starting out on his career on the Falcons practice squad, Bush was signed to the active roster for their final two games. After starting the 2011 season on the Falcons practice squad, the Williston, S.C. native was signed to the Denver active roster at midseason and appeared in six regular season and two postseason contests.
Higgins, 6-6, 242, was first signed by New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2011 out of Nebraska-Omaha. He's appeared in four career games with one start and posted two receptions for one yard. After spending the first 12 weeks of the 2012 season on the practice squad, Higgins was signed to the active roster for the final five weeks of the season and appeared in two games with one start, posting one catch.
Olsen, 6-3, 305, signed with New Orleans following the conclusion of the 2011 regular season and appeared in all 16 games in 2012, starting four games as an additional blocker on the offensive line. Originally a sixth-round draft choice by the Denver Broncos in 2010 out of Notre Dame, Olsen spent his entire rookie season on the active roster of the Broncos, appearing in one game. After spending the 2011 regular season on the practice squad of the Washington Redskins, Olsen joined the Saints active roster in the postseason. At Notre Dame, he played 44 games, starting his final 31 contests and seeing time at all three interior line positions. As senior in 2009, Olsen started at center for the first time and received third team All-America honors from The Sporting News.
