Replacing Our Heart and Soul

According to several reports I have recently read, Deuce McAllister is awaiting a decision as to whether he will remain a member of the New Orleans Saints. Deuce is about six months past his surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee and the team has until April 15 to decide whether to pay him a $1 million roster bonus or terminate his contract. Deuce is coming off his second ACL surgery in three years. If Deuce is to opt out of his contract and hang up his cleats, he will not be easy to replace.

In 2006, we were a successful and winning team because the heart and soul of our team, Deuce McAllister was healthy. Deuce McAllister touched the ball 300 times for 1,418 total yards and 12 touchdowns; whereas, Reggie Bush touched the ball 289 times for 1,618 total yards and 10 touchdowns. Our duo in the backfield combined for over 3000 yards of offense. Deuce and Reggie were the perfect combo. Those offensive numbers, combined with Drew Brees’ 4503 passing yards made the Saints the #1 offense in the league and led the Saints to their first NFC Championship in franchise history.

Now we all know what happened to the 2007 Saints as compared to the 2006 Saints…complete disaster. Deuce tore his ACL in the 3rd game of the season, and although the offense rebounded for a stretch in the middle of the season, the running game would continue to struggle without its bell-cow. The Saints stumbled their way to a 7-9 record and missed the playoffs. In order for this Saints team to regain the success that they had in 2006, they will need to find a similar RB in the draft or make a trade for one in the league. Of course, this is assuming Deuce is done…and from what I’ve heard and read, it doesn’t look like he’ll be wearing the black and gold #26 jersey anymore. After watching the 2007 season, Reggie Bush simply can’t handle the RB duties by himself…at least yet. He needs a complementary back such as Deuce.

While replacing Deuce will not be easy, I do think there is a legitimate option right here in the Crescent City. Look no further than Tulane’s Senior RB, Matt Forte.

Standing at 6’1" and weighing 224 pounds, Forte racked up 2127 rushing yards during his senior season. Forte is one of only 12 players in the history of NCAA football who has rushed for more than 2000 yards in a single season. That number alone puts him with very elite company such as Barry Sanders, Marcus Allen, and LaDanian Tomlinson. While he did have 361 rushes in 2008, he still managed an eye-popping 5.9 yards per carry average, which is excellent no matter the level of competition. He had two 300-yard games, three 200-yard games, and four 100-yards games, which left only 3 games where he did not eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark. On top of that, he has never lost a fumble in his college career…only because he has never fumbled in his college career. That’s unbelievable.

While Forte’s numbers are extremely impressive, your immediate counter will be that although he rushed for 2127 yards, the level of competition he produced against (Conference USA,) is hardly NFL caliber. I don’t care what team you play for and what defenses you are running against, Forte’s numbers are simply incredible. While he did rush against Conference USA defenses, you have to consider that he also ran behind a Conference USA offensive line. Taking nothing away from Tulane’s O-line, I think it’s safe to say that they are simply not the same caliber as SEC offensive lines. It’s tough to say whether he would have rushed for 2000 yards in the SEC because no running back has ever eclipsed the 2000-yard-mark in the SEC.

Deuce McAllister and Matt Forte are similar in many ways. Physically, both are 6’1" and Deuce only weighs 8 pounds more than Matt Forte. They are both big bruiser-type power backs who gain most of their yards running up the middle, but also have enough speed to take it the distance. Just as the Deuce/Reggie combination worked out tremendously in 2006, there’s no reason to believe why the Forte/Reggie combination can’t work out in 2008 and beyond. When Forte will be pounding the line of scrimmage, exhausting the defense, it will be easier for Bush to break off one of his long sideline runs. And when Bush will be getting to the outside, spreading the defense, it will be easier for Forte to find running lanes between the tackles. They would be the perfect compliment to each other just as Deuce and Reggie proved to be. These two would leave defensive coordinators dreading to play against the Saints offense on Sundays.

Due to two major knee injuries, I think there is little doubt that Deuce’s best days are behind him. His ability to perform at an elite level has been seriously compromised, and I think it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for Deuce to return. From Deuce’s point of view, you have to ask yourself whether risking another injury on the playing field is worth dealing with the rest of your life. You’re only 29 years old – you’re still young. You have several successful businesses in Jackson, Mississippi and have worked with several other charitable organizations over the past few years. You also want to be mobile when you’re 40 years old. Football is a great passion in Deuce’s life, but it’s not as important as his health.

Honestly, it will be hard to look towards the Superdome field on Sundays and not see Deuce wearing the number "26." As mentioned, he’s been the heart and soul of the Saints since he was drafted in 2001. He’s been a team leader and a fan favorite since the beginning. He’ll be going out on top but will always be remembered as a winner.

Perhaps, the greatest thing that Deuce could do would be to pass the torch and his number "26" to another player who spent the last four years running through the record books on the Superdome’s turf. I just hope Matt Forte is sitting there in round 3 at pick # 78. And I hope the Saints have the foresight to take him.