Deuce McAllister's days at the Dome with the New Orleans Saints numbered?
Posted by Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune November 17, 2008 10:54PM
Categories: Saints
Susan Poag / The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints tailback Deuce McAllister, who has been used mostly in a reserve role this season, is scheduled to be paid $7.3 million next year.
There are a lot of reasons to attend the Saints' home game against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.
It's the first home game in six weeks. It's critical to the Saints' faint playoff hopes. And, of course, it's on a national stage.
But more important than any of those factors is this: It could be Deuce McAllister's final game at the Superdome.
Not this month. Not this season.
Ever.
Did you hear that, Who Dat Nation?
McAllister could be playing his final game at the Superdome on Monday night.
I could be jumping the gun here. A lot of things would have to fall in place for it to happen. But it's not as long a shot as it might seem. In fact, it's an inconvenient truth.
Technically, McAllister has four years remaining on his contract with the Saints, but the reality is his roster spot is far from guaranteed next season. His salary cap number jumps from $4.5 million to $7.3 million. That's feature-back money not role player money, and McAllister, at this stage of his injury-riddled career, is a role player -- at least in the eyes of his current employer.
McAllister started Sunday's game at Kansas City but took a back seat to Pierre Thomas for most of the second half. Thomas finished with 16 carries for 88 yards. McAllister had eight for 18. A similar playing rotation was employed a week earlier in Atlanta.
If Coach Sean Payton's designation of McAllister's role wasn't clear earlier this season when he docked Deuce on the sideline for two games, it's now readily apparent.
That's the harsh reality of the NFL, where a player's three most valuable assets are productivity, reliability and availability.
A wily veteran like McAllister knows this better than anyone.
There's also the chance he could retire after the season. McAllister, who will be 30 on Dec. 27, has never mentioned retirement but it wouldn't be a shocker. Other than a Super Bowl, there's little left for him to accomplish. He's the club's career rushing leader and was a key cog on the most successful team in Saints history. His legacy is intact.
He's in great shape financially and has enough business interests to keep him busy for the rest of his life. He'd also have more time to devote to family.
So as much as I hate to say it, this very well could be McAllister's final season in the NFL and/or New Orleans.
And if it is, there's a strong chance the looming NFL suspension could soon wipe out what's left of it.
McAllister's appeal is expected to be heard by NFL officials today. He could learn his fate as early as next week.
McAllister and Saints officials are confident that the appeal will be approved. Historically, though, the NFL has ruled with an iron fist on the matter of supplements.
If the appeal fails, McAllister would face a four-game suspension, which would begin immediately.
Depending on when the gavel falls, McAllister's suspension could begin as early as next week. If so, that means he could serve the four-game suspension in Weeks 13-16 and return for a curtain call in the Dec. 28 season finale against Carolina.
But if the league waits, then McAllister would be forced to close out the season on suspension, meaning Monday night's home game could possibly be his final one at the Superdome.
If Monday night is his finale, the Saints need to give McAllister the ball, especially when they reach the goal line.
He needs one touchdown to establish a club record for touchdowns. For all he's done, the Saints owe him a chance to set the mark.
If not another season, the Saints at least owe him another night in the spotlight.
Knowing McAllister, the last thing he'd want is to single himself out from teammates, to become the dominant storyline in such an important game. The prideful, modest guy I've known since he was drafted in 2001 would detest being made a sideshow.
But his fans deserve to know the possibility exists. The potential moment should not pass unrecognized.
Ten years from now people won't say they remember that Monday night when the Saints outscored the Packers or fell hopelessly out of the playoff race in the NFC South.
They'll say they were there the night Deuce played his last home game at the Superdome.
Jeff Duncan can be reached at jduncan@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3404
Mike bell? I guess Deuce lost his appeal
