JACKSON – Under a broiling Mississippi sun, Reggie Bush made his debut at the New Orleans Saints’ training camp Tuesday at Millsaps College.

The 2005 Heisman Trophy winner from Southern Cal spent most of his first practice as an official member of the Saints watching and learning. First-year coach Sean Payton did have Bush run some conditioning drills, including a timed, 300-yard shuttle run.

&#8220I’m here and I’m ready to play football,” Bush said to a media throng that included ESPN, the NFL Network and every TV station from Jackson, the Gulf Coast, New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

The former Trojan running back, who led USC to two national championships and an appearance in last January’s national title game at the Rose Bowl against Texas, said he was surprised by the swiftness of the contract negotiations with the Saints that concluded Saturday night.

&#8220It was a lot sooner than I expected. It did catch me off guard when I got the call from Joel (Segal). I thought it’d take another two or three days.”

The signing of Texas quarterback Vince Young by the Tennessee Titans helped set a parameter for both parties. Young signed for $58 million with $25.7 million guaranteed on Friday.

Bush’s camp wanted figures worthy of the top pick in the NFL Draft which surprisingly went to North Carolina State end Mario Williams to the Houston Texans. The Saints grabbed Bush, who was considered the best player in the draft, at No. 2.

Bush’s deal with New Orleans came in at near $62 million, if incentives are met, for six years with $26.3 million guaranteed. The overall money is near Williams’ deal with the Texans.

Bush dismissed two rumors that had been floated by various sources. One was, because he had nearly $5 million in endorsement money, he would sit out the 2006 season and then re-enter the draft to avoid going to New Orleans.

&#8220Not true, I felt a deal would get done, it just came about a lot sooner than I thought,” he said.

The second had to do with the Texans, that he had rebuffed their offer and that’s what caused Houston to draft Williams.

&#8220I never got with the Texans, so that’s not true,” he said.

Bush is now a Saint and both Payton and the team couldn’t be happier.

&#8220He looked fine and appears to be in good shape,” Payton said. &#8220He looked real smooth. He’s an important part of our team.”

&#8220No doubt, Reggie is a tremendous athlete,” said 11-year NFL veteran Fred McAfee, a Mississippi College product. &#8220He’s still a rookie and the most important thing for a rookie to do is pay attention. Other than that, look like you belong here.”

For Bush, to be in a NFL uniform and have a big fat contract is a realization of his dream.

&#8220This is something I’ve been working for my whole life. So far, it’s been what I expected. Everybody has been really receptive and I’m happy to be here,” Bush said.

Last season at USC, Bush wowed college football by leading the nation in all-purpose yards with 222.3 per game. The total includes 1,740 yards rushing, 478 yards on receptions and 18 touchdowns from scrimmage.