Fantasy Football

Another noteworthy axing today with the Saints letting go of long time backfield threat Deuce McAllister. This isn’t terribly surprising as Deuce was growing increasingly injury prone, and with all the money they have tied up in Reggie Bush, not to mention the stellar performance of Pierre Thomas, you end up with an released aging running back.

I don’t know what the intricacies are of why a team signs a running back and why they wouldn’t, but I imagine both McAllister and yesterday’s casualty of Fred Taylor will seek out a minimum one year deal a la Shaun Alexander. As to what condition they’re in compared to Alexander in his tinier with the Redskins I have no idea. But its not going to surprise me if neither of them get signed by the start of the 2009 season. The league itself is getting younger and younger and the running back position is at the forefront of this youth movement. They still might be able to contribute on a playoff team (see: Edgerrin James with the Cardinals) but there’s a plethora of aspiring rookies and early twenty-something journeymen who an NFL team will put more value in (even if it’s not reflected in the player’s salary).

No hard feelings, we just don't want you around anymore. Because we think you're worthless.

As for the Saints, they’re going to have an explosive offense. If Pierre Thomas is left as the lone traditional running back he’s going to be an asset. Reggie Bush was having a phenomenal year before his injury in 2008 and his return was rather unimpressive. Should Bush actually overcome whatever it is that’s mentally/physically ailing him, he will also be a viable third or fourth round fantasy pick (any higher is just too great of a risk).

In other words, the Saints will be fine from a fantasy standpoint and if they have half a brain they won’t waste early draft picks (if any at all) on the backfield. Obviously, when you have statistically the best offense in the NFL, your quarterback throws for over 5,000 yards and you finish the season 8-8…it leads one to assume that your defense could use some improvement. Outside of Jonathan Vilma and Will Smith, every other player on that defense is someone they overpaid because they either A) played on a well run team that could mask their liabilities (Randall Gay); or B) The player had one notable playoff run that the Saints put too much stock in (Jason David).

In short, Deuce McAllister’s career could very well be over and if the Saints do what they should the team should only get better as a result of cutting him. I know it’s commonplace for your average adolescent American male to aspire to be a professional athlete, but if that is the case I recommend going for baseball (more employment opportunities) or basketball (more money). The career is too short and you’re thrown out on your ass faster than you were welcomed.