Who will be the next Saints running back?

April 15th.

D(euce)-Day.

That is the deadline the Saints organization has on deciding what they will do with Deuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce McAllister. Pay him his $1 million bonus or say goodbye. We all know Deuce is recovering from his second torn ACL. The decision was actually supposed to be made March 15th, but both Deuce and the Saints agreed to postpone it. (Seems to benefit both parties.) It's all laid out in this article from a few days ago, but it raises an important question (see title of post).

And the nominees are...

The reigning champion. If Deuce winds up convincing the Saints he's worth his $1 million dollar bonus, he has the chance to reclaim his spot as the #1 guy. Other players have come back from two separate torn ACL's, including 49ers RB Frank Gore. If he does play, will he ever be the same? I think most of us hope so.




Reggie. He had his chance last year to be the main guy and didn't deliver. I think its pretty much agreed he's not a between the tackles kinda back. Could he prove me wrong? He has pledged to attend all the OTA's and mini-camp's, as opposed to splitting time between NOLA and LA last year, so maybe he's gotten his head focused.


I had to put this picture on here. I don't think I would be able to find a
picture like this of Deuce. Form your own opinions.



Aaron Stecker. He really came through for the team late last season, showing everyone what kind of offense we SHOULD have been running immediately after Deuce went down. Unfortunately, it was too late. Steck is pretty old though. Not much left in the tank.



Pierre Thomas. Did you see him in the final game of the season against Chicago!? Seriously, did you see him!? He's young. He's got a lot to prove. He has only delivered. Never dissapointed. Watch out for this one!





And the winner is...

Pierre Thomas.

I like him. A LOT. And I know I am not the only one. He played great in pre-season and probably would have gotten more attention for it, but Lance Moore had a great pre-season also. I thought he should have gotten his shot earlier than he did, but I guess the team was worried about his experience, and Aaron Stecker was doing a great job. He is like a bowling ball out there and he loves contact (he said so himself). He has his whole career in front of him, and personality wise, he seems down to earth. Regardless of whether Deuce comes back, Pierre should see some time.

As far as the others, Stecker is getting too old. Maybe we could get another year out of him, but I don't think he has what it takes to be a premiere back.

As I said earlier, Reggie just doesn't have the running style every NFL team needs. Line him out wide and give him pitches, screens and quick outs. Or try and turn him into a full blown receiver. But he will never be Deuce.

So what do you guys think, hope, wish, pray!?

• Will Deuce come back?
• Is Pierre good enough?
• How should the team use Reggie?
• Does Stecker factor in at all?
• Do you like my Reggie Bush picture?
  

Also, K Olindo Mare signed a two year deal with the Seahawks today.

• Was he given a fair chance?
• Do you care?
  

Talk amongst yourselves.