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RB Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints

HT: 6-1, WT: 220, Born: 12-27-1978, College: Mississippi, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 23

2008 Projections

Best Case

If McAllister comes back from his latest severe knee injury near 100% and can play a full slate of games, the job of primary ball carrier/inside power back is his to lose. Reggie Bush hasn't proven very successful as the featured runner and fares better as a change-of-pace back/home-run hitter in the passing game. It is conceivable that McAllister could become a 1000 yards/10 TD rusher again during 2008.

Worst Case

McAllister's ailing knees could easily flare up during training camp and end his career, or (even worse) he could be nagged by swelling/pain/the need for drainage all year long and tease us with availability but never start (like Ahman Green did throughout 2007). He is a big-time risk due to his injury history at this stage of his career.

Outlook

Assuming McAllister can play somewhere near his level of old, he could gain around 1000 yards combined (800 rushing, 200 receiving) with mid-single digit TDs in the Saint's potent offense. Most Footballguys expect him to be somewhere in the mid- to high-30's among all fantasy backs in total points by the end of the season, making him a marginal RB3 in most formats.

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - McAllister was the primary ball carrier between the tackles but he didn't have any more success rushing the ball then his teammate RB Reggie Bush. He gained a first down on the first drive of the game on a five yard run up the middle to keep a drive alive in Colts territory that gave them a field goal opportunity. His biggest gain came on 12 yard run in the third quarter, but McAllister and the running game simply couldn't run consistently on a very aggressive and quick Colts defense that got good penetration on the line of scrimmage.

Week 2 - McAllister was off to a nice start, with nine carries and 47 yards rushing in the first half. However, with the Saints falling behind so quickly, he was seldom used in the second half and finished with just ten carries for 49 yards for the game. He had a costly first quarter fumble that led to a Tampa Bay touchdown, and McAllister seemed to have been poked in the eye on the play. The injury didn't seem to hamper him as his lack of production in the second half was a result of New Orleans focusing on the passing game. McAllister did have one reception for seven yards, and was targeted twice in the passing game.

Week 3 - McAllister was having a fairly miserable game until the disastrous knee injury sidelined him in the middle of the second quarter. The Saints offensive line seemed incapable of opening holes, and all of the RB's had trouble finding room to run.