http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/2747 Recent articles about Deuce McAllister en-us There are a couple of teams on the list for now Raiders RB Lamont Jordan once he gets released by the team, and on that list according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter is the Saints.  Schefter says that with the uncertainty of running back Deuce McAllister, the team wants to make sure they have enough quality backs, and Jordan may fit what they are looking for.  Don't forget the team also showed interest and even spoke to Shaun Alexander, who is still on the open market.  Other teams that reportedly have interest in Jordan include the Bears and Lions. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:27:36 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287620 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287620 2008 will prove that the 2006 season was not a fluke. As I said before Coach Peyton has had plenty of time to go over all the game film, and I am sure some very kind words were said in the coaches meetings this off season. So lets look at the offense and break down each position, of coarse there are some questions remaining in the running back position and who will come out as the 4 spot or possible 5 spot in the wide receivers. **Remember I think Coach Peyton has a few tricks up his sleeve this year, and an offense that will revolutionize the game of football will debut this season, so carrying some extra wide receivers will not be surprising. With that in mind let's look at the positions. QB Drew Brees – How well he does is determined on how well the defense plays. Looking back, whenever the defense had a good game, Drew had a better game. If the defense started out good so did Drew, but as the defense often more times than less failed to hold down the attack, Drew fought to maintain down the stretch. Now don't get me wrong, Drew is one of the top QB's in the NFL, his accuracy is second to none, so with the defense stepping up this season, look for Drew to return to the Pro Bowl form this year. Mark Brunell – Mark was a great pick up this off season, his better days are over, but the experience and knowledge he brings is immeasurable. Tyler Palko – I loved watching him in pre season last year, he reminded me of Brett Farve in his younger days. He has 2 of the best in the business to learn from. RB Deuce McAllister – We can hope he will be ready for the start of the season; the Saints need that big punch up the middle. Deuce is also a leader that can make a difference on and off the field. Reggie Bush – What can you say, this year will be a make or break for Reggie. Making the transition from college to pro is difficult.. Add in the media hype that accompanied his arrival, we just expected too much to fast, but now in his 3rd year, he says he is focused, and ready to make a difference. Coach Peyton will give him that chance; it will be up to Reggie to take it. Pierre Thomas – I currently have him ahead of Aaron Stecker. In the last game of the season against Chicago, he made the most of it. With 105 yds rushing and 121 receiving Pierre showed some promise in a game that could have helped the Saints sneak into the playoffs and with the Bears playing for pride. Even though early reports have him working in 3rd down situations, if Deuce does not return to form, I see Pierre getting the ball allot more often. Aaron Stecker – He had some great games in 2007, with Reggie not getting the job done, he came in and held his own until injuries slowed him down. Mike Karney – Am I the only one that thinks this guy is just one big muscle? He is a beast, and loves to hit. He is a great compliment to the running game when they are in the trenches. WR Marques Colston- He is by far Drew Brees favorite target, and will continue to be. Marques is a sure thing, grabbing every ball that is thrown his way. Some injuries have slowed him at times, but I do not see that being the case this year. Without Colston on the field the Saints offense will not get very far. David Patten- Veteran leader that can still make plays, he was one of the best pick ups in 2007, and will make the rest of the guys better with his knowledge and leadership. Robert Meachem – All reports so far is that he is ready to prove to everyone he belongs in the NFL. If he has a good preseason, he could edge up to the WR2 position. Terrance Copper – Good in a pinch, he has shown he wants to play, and with the depth at the WR spot, he will step up his game to cling to one of the last spots. Devery Henderson – Inconsistency, one minute he is catching an 80 yard bomb, the next play he misses a 5 yard toss. He better have a great preseason or he may find himself on the practice squad. Lance Moore – Showed allot of promise in 2007, his return skills, helped him make the team, but he failed to make the plays at times also. He is in the same boat as Devery, needs to have a great preseason. Adrian Arrington – The next Marques Colston they say, will have to wait until training camp to see if the OTA's were a good sign, but Coach Peyton likes young talent, and he could make the roster with some big plays in the coming weeks. Unless one of the above guys gets injured, the rest of the WR on the roster, should make the most of the preseason, and be ready to fill practice squad rosters this year. OL Jonathan Goodwin – He will have no problem filling the vacancy left by Jeff Faine. He showed great skills when Jeff was out with injury, and is respected by everyone on the team. Jammal Brown – After making the Pro bowl in 2006, he struggled at times in 2007. He will be playing with a chip on his shoulder this year, and I see him going back to the Pro Bowl in 2008. Jamar Nesbit – Great interior linemen, with excellent pass blocking skills. The left side of the line will be a brick wall come this year. Jahri Evans – He started his rookie year, and has only gotten better. Look for him to have a Pro bowl caliber year. Jon Stinchcomb – He in my opinion, was just the only option the Saints had last year. He may have some competition come training camp, so he needs to be ready. Matt Lehr – Some questions arose with steroid use, but he is a good option should Goodwin get hurt. Carl Nicks – This is my long shot; I could not believe we got him in the late rounds of the draft. His character came into question, but if Coach Peyton felt good about drafting him then his character should not be a problem. He is also a giant, and Coach Peyton loves putting young guys in that show promise. I see him taking the right tackle position come the start of the season, if he proves himself. He is what the Saints need up front, big man opening up holes, and protecting the QB, giving time to pick the defense apart. TE Eric Johnson – He was a disappointment last season. We had hoped he would be the playmaker, but injuries sidelined him, and his productivity was limited. He is also not a good blocker so he will not be in on every down. Mark Campbell – One of the 1st early injuries that the Saints saw last year, he will be a toss up, but if healthy can be a playmaker. Billy Miller – The best blocker of the group, he also had some big plays, stepping in while Eric Johnson struggled. He is my surprise pick to move up and start. Defenses see him as a blocker, so he could sneak out and grab a few up the middle just when the offense needs a big play. I know it's early, and in training camp anything can happen, but this is my outlook on the Saints 08 Offense, and the guys I think that will make it happen. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:27:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287613 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287613 NFL training camps loom on the horizon, which is great news for football fans everywhere. The anticipation of the 2008 season is palpable. As for football news, not too much happened over the weekend, but we do have a few injury updates for today. Ronnie Brown, a familiar face, makes an appearance in today's MMR. Hit the jump for all the updates. Ronnie Brown [RB, Dolphins] ... Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:33:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/286481 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/286481 After an incredible 2006 season, the New Orleans Saints came back to earth last year as they finished 7-9 overall with sub-par performances all around. The Saints lost their first four games, with quarterback Drew Brees throwing nine interceptions and just one touchdown in those games, and were simply unable to recover. Brees actually finished strong, setting career highs in passing yards (4,423), attempts (652), completions (440), completion percentage (67.5) and passing touchdowns (28). Unfortunately he added nine fumbles, four of them lost, and a career-high 18 interceptions. The running back tandem of Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush took a major hit when McAllister was lost for the season with another knee injury in the week 3 loss to the Tennessee Titans... Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:57:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282807 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282807 There are actually more than five overrated players in the NFL. So coming up with just five isn't very difficult. How these players even get the attention they get is beyond me. But it usually has to do with either where they were drafted in the NFL draft or which team they play on. With that [...] Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:18:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281516 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281516 Let's have a look at how the player on each team with the highest average of carries per game stacked up against the average carries per game for the team. This will give us the average carries that each player lost per game. I think you may be surprised by how some of these guys rank... Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:41:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277665 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277665 From injured to suspended to subpar performances, the follow five guys offer you a high-risk, high-reward scenario for the upcoming 2008 NFL Fantasy Football Season. These guys will all come with discounted values and there will be safer picks available in the early to middle rounds when you'd likely need to snag one of these guys, but if you dare to take a chance, the rewards can be great. Young quarterbacks Matt Leinart of Arizona and Jason Campbell of Washington were briefly considered for this list as each is coming off an injury, though neither has really fully proven himself in the league to be considered a Comeback Kid. The following five veterans are poised for a rebound year. Stop by and see who they are now. Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:08:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276040 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276040 The Saints will bring in free-agent tailback Shaun Alexander for a visit this week, a sign that they're still in the market for some insurance in case Deuce McAllister is unable to return to form. Alexander, 30, was released by the Seattle Seahawks last month after two disappointing, injury-plagued seasons. The former league MVP and three-time Pro Bowl player was scheduled to make his first free-agent visit with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis confirmed Alexander's visit, but he declined further comment. McAllister said he wouldn't be surprised or opposed if the Saints add another tailback before training camp. "I anticipate they'll continue to look at veteran running backs," McAllister said. "They have to have some protection just in case there are any setbacks with my rehab, even though there haven't been any. It never hurts to have a Plan B." McAllister, who is coming back from surgeries on his knees last September, said he feels good about his recovery timetable. He has been running and doing some cutting and planting for about three weeks, and he was able to run full-speed pass routes with teammates for the first time Monday. He expects to participate in a limited capacity when the team begins its organized team activities this month. The Saints have not made the tailback position a huge priority this offseason, with McAllister, Reggie Bush, Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas on the roster. Alexander averaged 1,501 yards rushing and 19.6 touchdowns per season between 2001 and '05. He was the MVP in 2005 when he scored 28 touchdowns, then an NFL record, and led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl. Alexander's downfall came swiftly after that, though. He missed nine games in 2006 with a cracked bone in his foot. Last season he played through a broken wrist but missed three games with a sprained knee. He also lost two of his most valuable blockers when All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson signed with Minnesota in 2006 and fullback Mack Strong retired the next season. Alexander ran for 716 yards and scored five touchdowns in 13 games last season both his lowest totals since his rookie season. The home fans had turned on him by Week 6, when they booed repeatedly as he ran for 35 yards on 14 carries against the Saints. He was released with six years remaining on a $62 million contract extension he signed after his MVP season. The Seahawks replaced him with free agents Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. McAllister said Alexander has something left in the tank, though, and something to prove. The two have known each other since their days together in the SEC (McAllister starred at Ole Miss, Alexander at Alabama). "I will be playing for another NFL team this fall, and doing everything I can to contribute," Alexander said after his release. "I am healthy, energized and looking forward to beginning the next chapter of my NFL career." Ouch then what happens to duece? Wed, 07 May 2008 06:11:09 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264180 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264180 NFL Network is reporting that the Saints have shown interest in free-agent RB Shaun Alexander, and the two will meet this week. The interest in Alexander suggests that RB Deuce McAllister is not rehabbing as well as the club would like from his second torn ACL injury in three seasons. Furthermore, the Broncos have also shown some interest in talking to Alexander. Tue, 06 May 2008 11:32:57 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263925 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263925 Deuce McAllister to return to Saints, Michael Strahan unsure if he will return (again), Cowboys up offer for Pacman and much more local hometown NFL news for Tuesday, April 15, 2008. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:22:05 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/237872 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/237872 Running back Deuce McAllister and the New Orleans Saints reached an agreement, today. No, not a contract extension. The two sides agreed to push back the due date for McAllisters $1 million roster bonus that was due to be paid on April 15th. This is the second time this has happened. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:50:24 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/237183 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/237183 At a time when some league insiders and observers believe that no receivers will be drafted in the first round, one of the draft-eligible receivers is drawing interest from a team that picks in the top ten. A league source tells us that the Baltimore Ravens will observe a private workout next week of Michigan State wideout Devin Thomas. The session will occur in Michigan. Some think that Thomas will be taken no later than No. 11 by the Buffalo Bills. Sun, 13 Apr 2008 10:01:09 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/236294 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/236294 Jeff Garcia doesnt have a new contract and he's sounds off..... TAMPA — For the first time in five years, Jeff Garcia was thrilled he did not have a change of uniform or address in the offseason. The grass has never grown under the cleats of the vagabond quarterback. And it's starting to look as if the Bucs do not want Garcia to put down too many roots in Tampa Bay. Garcia said Tuesday that he's disappointed the team hasn't been willing to tear up his contract and reward him with a new deal that would enable him to finish his career with the Bucs. Garcia, 38, has one year remaining on his contract that will pay him a base salary of $2-million in 2008. He went 8-6 as a starter for the Bucs last season, leading them to an NFC South title and being named to the Pro Bowl. Nonrookie starting quarterbacks average between $7-million and $15-million a year in the NFL, making Garcia among the league's lowest-paid quarterbacks. After Tuesday's workout — the first of the offseason — Garcia was asked if he was disappointed by the lack of progress toward a new deal. "You could say that," Garcia said. "Talks haven't necessarily gone all that good. "So in a way, it's disappointing. At this point in my career, I'm no longer 24 or 25 saying, 'I'm going to prove to you I deserve this.' I feel like I've proved throughout my career. And I feel like at this time, it's time to just work with me, and you know what I bring to the team. You know what I've done for the team, and you know how much more I can do. And now I have a year under my system." The Bucs declined to comment. There's another reason why Garcia might be unhappy with his contract. Because of the Bucs' decision to rest him for the final two weeks of the regular season, he fell just short of participating in 70 percent of their offensive snaps, preventing him from earning a seven-figure bonus. Coach Jon Gruden did not allow Garcia to play the second half of the Bucs' 21-19 loss at San Francisco on Dec. 23. Garcia also was benched for the regular-season finale at home against the Panthers on Dec. 30. As a result, Garcia did not get at least $1-million in bonus money. Garcia is not required to attend the offseason workout program, which is voluntary. But he participated in Tuesday's as an act of good faith. Whether he attends the rest of this week's workouts or future offseason workout programs remains to be seen, but he indicated his options are limited. "I'm committed to a second year the way my contract is drawn up," Garcia said. "Yes, I would like to rip it up and create a new one that allows me to finish off my career here. But we're not necessarily on the same page as far as that's concerned." Garcia, Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski were the only quarterbacks that attended practice Tuesday. Chris Simms is not participating in offseason workouts presumably because he wants to be traded. Brian Griese, acquired in a trade with the Bears in March, had a commitment to a charity event. Tuesday's practice with the Bucs marked the first time since 2003 with the 49ers that Garcia has begun an offseason with the team he played for in the previous season. After bouncing to the Browns, Lions and Eagles in consecutive seasons, he finally found a home under Gruden in Tampa Bay. In 2007, Garcia completed 209 of 307 passes for 2,440 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions for a passer rating of 94.6. Garcia said he has a chance to build upon the success he enjoyed in the team's offense a year ago. "My head was swimming," Garcia said. "When I heard the terminology (last year), I was still trying to figure it all out. And I'm not at that point. "So now I can take off from where I am now and build upon that. And going into the season, I just feel I'll be so much more confident and secure as to how to run this system as opposed to where I was last year. And last year, things didn't go all that bad." Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:50:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/233336 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/233336 A one-on-one with the world-class, high-class back, on his injury, his future, and a possible walk down the aisle! Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:24:51 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/216623 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/216623 Update on Deuce McAllister, QB Quinn Gray close to joining Texans, Bears may recoup losses with additional draft picks and more local hometown NFL news for Monday, March 24, 2008. Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:59:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/216491 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/216491