This is my favorite play in my history as a Saints fan. Saints vs. Eagles, 2006 divisional playoffs. Deuce McAllister takes from five yards out, meets a wall of green, and pushes the entire pile into the end zone. The Saints win, I rejoice with much liquor.
Today's a sad yet not unexpected day for Saints fans. The team and Deuce have agreed to part ways.
The writing has been on the wall since Week 3 of the 2007 season, when McAllister tore his ACL in an innocuous play against the Titans, the second such injury he'd suffered in three years. With the years accumulating and two surgically-repaired knees, it was obvious the Saints' franchise player and uber fan favorite was living on borrowed time in New Orleans.
Though Deuce managed to make it back last season through hard work, positive thinking, and determination (signature McAllister traits), he had fallen behind Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush on the depth chart. His 418 yards and five touchdowns in 2008 were significant for a No. 3 back (not to mention becoming the team's all-time rushing touchdown leader), but McAllister still feels he can play a bigger role on a team, and the Saints disagree. Add in the over $4 million in cap savings for the finance-troubled Saints, and the move was inevitable.
The two sides are parting without acrimony, though, which is important. The team holds Deuce, a great locker room and community guy, in high regard, and Deuce understands the team's position. It's as neat and respectful of a breakup as you'll see in the NFL.
Can Deuce continue to succeed? At almost 30 and having transformed from playmaker to powerhouse back on two suspect knees, I'm not sure he can to the level he thinks, nor do I think another team will give him that responsibility. That being said, Deuce can still play in a timeshare backfield, and any team willing to give him a chance is getting a guy who will make up for whatever lost ability with tremendous leadership and effort.
Tracking NFL Free Agents
Brandon Jacobs, Running back
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY GIANTS
The Latest: The non-exclusive tag means that Jacobs is still able to sign elsewhere, but would cost two first-round picks as compensation. He'll likely spend at least one more season in New York because of that.
Bill Kostroun, AP
Chris Johnson, Cornerback
RE-SIGNED WITH OAKLAND - 4 years, terms not announced
The Latest: Oakland wasted no time locking up Johnson with a multi-year deal, and now can focus all its attention on making sure Nnamdi Asomugha is lined up at the Raiders' other cornerback spot.
Paul Sakuma, AP
Albert Haynesworth, Defensive tackle, Tennessee Titans
Regular Season Stats: 14 starts, 51 tackles (41 solo), 8.5 sacks
The Latest: Haynesworth could be the biggest prize to hit the unrestricted free agent market. He's said he would prefer to stay with Tennessee, but the Titans promised not to franchise him again, so they'll have to pay.
Mark Humphrey, AP
Kerry Collins, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
Regular Season Stats: 16 games played (15 starts), 2,676 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, 80.2 QB rating
The Latest: Despite his age (36), Collins feels he is in line for a big contract -- comparable to whatever Kurt Warner receives. If Tennessee does not deliver, the Brett Favre-less Jets are a potential home.
Scott Boehm, Getty Images
Ray Lewis, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 117 tackles (85 solo), 3.5 sacks, 3 INTs
The Latest: The franchise tag rules mean that Lewis would become the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history at more than $11 million if the Ravens went that route. Baltimore would prefer to re-sign Lewis.
Rob Carr, AP
Terrell Suggs, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 68 tackles (53 solo), eight sacks, two INTs
The Latest: Suggs suggested that he, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott all take hometown discounts and stay in Baltimore, so he wants to be there. He's a cheaper franchise tag option than Lewis.
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
Bart Scott, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 82 tackles (61 solo), 1.5 sacks
The Latest: Is there room for Scott in Baltimore? With the franchise tag likely landing on Terrell Suggs and the Ravens doing all it takes to sign Ray Lewis, it doesn't look like Scott is a priority.
G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Regular Season Stats: 15 starts, 92 catches for 904 yards, four touchdowns
The Latest: The only way Housh returns is if the Bengals franchise him. Otherwise, he'll sign a lucrative contract elsewhere -- possibly with Philadelphia, where he's already expressed interest in playing.
Scott Boehm, Getty Images
Nnamdi Asomugha, Cornerback, Oakland Raiders
Regular Season Stats: 15 starts, 40 tackles (33 solo), one interception
The Latest: Asomugha's numbers are skewed by opponents' fear of throwing anywhere near him. The Raiders will use the franchise tag on him if they need to.
Greg Trott, Getty Images
Leroy Hill, Linebacker, Seattle Seahawks
Regular Season Stats: 12 starts, 84 tackles (63 solo), missed four weeks with two separate injuries.
The Latest: Hill was arrested in January on marijuana possession, possibly cooling some interest in him. Seattle has yet to offer Hill a new contract.
Ted S. Warren, AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-17-2009 @ 1:02PM
Bob said...
Mr. Mantzouranis, thanks for seeing the positive slant in what others would be screaming "foul" over. It's great to hear about a respectful parting of the ways, instead of the usual "victim" or "ogre" taglines. Nice article.
Reply
2-17-2009 @ 2:22PM
KANDI said...
DEUCE I WILL MISS U SO MUCH, I ENJOYED WATCHIN U ON SUNDAYS WITH THE SAINTS, I HOPE U DO FIND A TEAM WILLING TO SIGN U..
Reply
2-17-2009 @ 6:55PM
eagiehart said...
Tom, this is Lynn in Lafayette... I join you in mourning the fact that Deuce has been let loose... but I also raise my glass to a very classy football player who played his heart out for the Saints. He will have his spot in the Saints Hall of Fame and they should also retire his jersey number. THANK YOU DEUCE
Reply
2-17-2009 @ 10:50PM
Mauro said...
ill miss you Deuce you er a true Saint
Reply
2-17-2009 @ 10:53PM
madmanmidget said...
Deuccccceee! Please don't sign with a division rival so I can still root for you!
Reply
2-20-2009 @ 5:59PM
ken72864 said...
The Saints released the best running back in their history and kept a punt returner disguised as a running back in Reggie Bush! And how much money is Bush making. How much of a salary cap reduction would come from getting rid of him? Only the Saints can make " GENIUS" moves like this. And look where it has gotten them. Go figure!
Reply
2-20-2009 @ 6:10PM
ken72864 said...
I have been watching and pulling for the Saints for forty years, however next year I hope Deuce is playing against the Saints with a division rival and he scores the touchdowns that beats them twice. Remember Morten Anderson, Bobby Hebert, Jake Delhomme? The Saints front office, real geniuses!
Reply
2-23-2009 @ 5:15PM
Jay said...
Deuce Mac will be a Saint no matter where he goes. I hope he gets a ring somewhere after the Saints win this upcoming Superbowl. GEAUX SAINTS
Reply
4-13-2009 @ 11:11AM
lee said...
You will be missed
Reply
4-13-2009 @ 12:14PM
broncosfan24 said...
i don't even like the saints but i actually like the broncos and i kinda enjoyed watching deuce play he was cool i cant believe they released him he was pretty cool but guess he could not stay there forever bye bye deuce
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