The New Orleans Saints kick off the Kellen Moore era with a game against Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals in 26 days. We continue the countdown to kickoff with a look back at one of the greatest running backs in franchise history, Deuce McAllister.
The Saints have had a few big name running backs this century. McAllister may not have had the biggest name but it's impossible to minimize his impact. McAllister retired leading the Saints in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns.
Deuce McAllister's career was derailed by injuries
As accomplished as McAllister was when he retired, it still feels like a bit of a what if. Still feels like there was moments ripped away from us due to injury. He was drafted while Ricky Williams was still on the team. After a year, however, McAllister became the Saints lead back.
McAllister didn't disappoint in this role. He showed he was more than just flashes he showed as a rookie. McAllister ran for nearly 1400 yards and had 13 rushing touchdowns. He paired that with three receiving scores. The following season, he hit another level with 1641 rushing yards and over 2000 yards from scrimmage.
Those two seasons remain the second and third highest rushing totals by a Saints running back. That's when the injuries hit. He tore his ACL in 2005 and 2007. Two ACL tears in a two year span will take a toll on anyone. In the 2006 season, he still hit 1000 yards, but he wasn't able to bounce back from the second ACL tear.
Since retiring, McAllister hasn't ventured too far away from the team. The running back now works for WWL as one of their leading voices in Saints coverage. He is one half of their radio broadcast alongside his former teammate, Zach Strief.
Whether it's on the field on in the booth, McAllister is a Saint through and through. On the broadcast, he doesn't hold back and attacks his coverage just as straight ahead as he attacked defenses in his playing days.