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Spotlight - RB Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints

Posted on 7/30, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Jason Wood's Thoughts

The 2006 New Orleans Saints were a fantasy owner's dream. Drew Brees led the league in passing, Marques Colston came out of nowhere to dominate, Reggie Bush caught pass after pass after pass, and then started running well toward the end of the season. Oh, and then there was that "old timer" Deuce McAllister. In a season when many expected McAllister to take a backseat to Reggie Bush, Deuce ended up being a reliable workhorse and enjoyed his own fantasy resurgence.

Which Saints runner scored more fantasy points in 2006?

• In non-PPR leagues, it was McAllister (185.5 points, 13th best fantasy RB)
• In PPR leagues, it was Bush (266.7 points, 9th best fantasy RB)

A few of McAllister's highlights from the 2006 season...

• 1,057 yards rushing
• Four (4) 100-yard rushing games
• 10 rushing TDs
• Ten (10) games with either 100+ yards or a rushing TD

But didn't Deuce's numbers start to tail off once Reggie Bush started improving?

A lot of people seem to think the McAllister made his fantasy hay in the early part of the season while Reggie Bush was struggling at less than 3 yards per carry. Yet, the stats tell a different tale:

• Games 1-8: 61 rushing yards per game, 0.625 rushing TDs/game
• Games 9-15: 81 rushing yards per game, 0.714 rushing TDs/game

As with Bush, McAllister's rushing totals INCREASED in the second half of the season.

With the offensive line and coaching staff returning intact, a healthy supporting cast, and a solid schedule (on paper), there is no reason McAllister shouldn't again push for top-20 fantasy value.

Positives

• McAllister reported to training camp in the best condition we've seen in years, and should reprise the role that allowed him to finish RB13 last year
• The Saints offensive line returns intact, and if anything may improve with another year of playing together
• Drew Brees and the receiving corps are lethal enough to keep opposing defenses from stacking 8-men in the box with regularity

Negatives

• McAllister is no stranger to the training room, and Reggie Bush may never relinquish the full-time role if he's given the opportunity
• The financial commitment in Bush calls into question whether McAllister has a long-term future with the team
• McAllister isn't the most adept receiver

Final Thoughts

In traditional leagues, Deuce McAllister looks to offer solid value this season. While I don't expect him to match last year's RB13 ranking, I do think a 1,000-yards rushing and 8-10 rushing TDs are in order; which means he is a solid part of a RB stable; particularly as your 3rd option.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

RaiderNation:
Potential SoD (steal of the draft) material. Deuce is getting overlooked in so many drafts because of "that other guy"... it's just ridiculous. Bush strikes me as an injury waiting to happen. I hope it doesn't happen to the young man, but it would not surprise me. Meanwhile, Deuce is there to get the tough yards and the big carries. Mr. Dependable.

shadyridr:
More of the same from last year. Peyton will use him to grind out games and he should get about 15 attempts a game with a few big TD games. Probably not consistent enough to use as a RB2 but will ultimately put up RB2 #s. A GREAT RB3.

Bracie Smathers:
Deuce is 29. He sat his first season and missed 11 games two years ago. He's had less than five and a half seasons of wear and tear on his body and wasn't beaten down last year. He's two years removed from his ACL injury, he's in a perfect role in a high powered offense where he doesn't have to carry the load. Deuce McAllister is a bread and butter plow horse RB. He excels in the role and he'll continue to be the bread and butter plow horse for the Saints in 2007 and beyond.

Deuce McAllister Projections