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More than anything else this year, I want Deuce to play for New Orleans. He is the backbone of the Saints, and he's a leader on and off the field...

Shaun Alexander Should Expect a Call from the New Orleans Saints...Soon

by Robert Lewis (Analyst)

8

4,667 reads

Opinion

July 29, 2008


More than anything else this year, I want Deuce to play for New Orleans. He is the backbone of the Saints, and he's a leader on and off the field. Before Drew Brees and Reggie Bush came onto the scene, Deuce was the most recognizable name on the Saints' roster. He is a hometown guy, having played college at Ole Miss.

However, facts are facts: He has had two season-ending injury's over the last four years. He is now trying to come back from two surgeries over the last offseason. Now, it can be done, and the trainers have said his progress is doing great. However, we saw the other day that his knee started to swell.

There has to be a lot of talk going on right now about the chances of him being 100 percent in time for the season, or if he will even be ready at all. There are only a handful of decent running backs left in the free-agent pool.

After LaMont Jordon was picked up earlier this week by the Patriots, Shaun Alexander is the only one left that does not have off-field problems, and there's the fact that the Saints spoke to him a couple of months ago.

There also has to be a sense of urgency. If another running back goes down somewhere else, you can bet that Shaun will be picked up, leaving the Saints without an inside running game.

I am a big fan of Pierre Thomas (Baby Deuce). He showed promise last year, with a record performance against Chicago. However, he still lacks that "wear'em down" strength. In order for the Saints not to become one dimensional, they will need a between0-the-tackles runner.

Even with Colston, Shockey, and Bush catching passes, it won't be long before defenses will be able to stop them.

I only hope that Deuce is suffering only from those lingering effects of soreness, but in case it's worse, the Saints have got to be looking at who is available and can help them balance the running game.

Saints fans visit www.saintsscoop.com

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8 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Tyler Jones 11 months ago

    You think Alexander could still find SOMEWHERE to play. I think he'd work out there also, but you couldn't bog him down to much either. Stecker will need to carry it too, but only about 4 or 5 times a game.

    Nice article. Keep it up.

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  2. Saint Hogan 11 months ago

    Did you watch Alexander befor he was hurt. We need to go fishin if duce cant go. Meaning finding a dimond in the cuts.

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    • Billy Kilmer 11 months ago

      I agree, SA is not the answer. We need a big between the tackles running back. I hope Deuce is well but hope is not a plan. I think the Saints are thinking the same thing and looking to see who gets cut and bring them in for insurance.

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  3. Dean Da Costa 11 months ago

    Actually before Alexanders injuries pile dup due to a horrid o-line he was amongst the topp Rbs avg over 90 ypg.

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  4. Adnan Mulkana 11 months ago

    Definitely going to have to agree with "Saint" here, no matter the excuse, Alexander hasn't run the ball effectively in a few years. His backup ran better, so an injury history is the excuse...well...will they magically disappear when we get him? At this point, Aaron Stecker is a more effective between the tackles runner than Alexander, and Thomas likely is too.

    So why pick a guy that's used to getting big paychecks to be your 5th string RB? If we want a different 4th/5th guy in case injury plagued Deuce goes down, it won't be an aging injury plagued guy that can't get 4 yards a carry.

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  5. Lee Johnson 11 months ago

    I think that Alexander is remembering the old Alexander that many fans think of when his name comes up. I'm guessing that he wants to get paid, he has always seemed like he thought he knows something nobody else does about what we are yet to see from him. As a Saints fan I can do without him. We could always trade ANOTHER second round pick for 2008 to someone...

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  6. Lee Johnson 11 months ago

    I meant 2009 on the pick...

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  7. Marzett Bonds 11 months ago

    I i dont think SA is the guy for the Saints. I hope Duce is ready to play if not find a fresh rookie to come in and play we dont need a old injured vet.

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