The Second Battle of New Orleans: Running Game a Concern For Saints

The Dread Factor (according to a Time cover story on worry from a few years back): the more we dread something, the more anxious we get, and the more anxious we get, the less precisely we calculate the odds of the thing actually happening.

Although Sean Payton dismisses the notion that he is worried about the New Orleans Saints running game, on an offense that ranked at the top of the league two of the past three seasons, no doubt it is a major concern he shares with General Manager Mickey Loomis heading into the 2009 season.

Publicly, Payton demurs at suggestions that his current stable of running backs may not be up to the task.

Says Payton: "A lot has been made of us potentially taking a runner in the draft. I know that a lot has been written about that, but those players, I think, have a good chance of being in the building."

However at the season-ending press conference in December, Payton admitted that the running game may have been a contributing factor in the Saints' failure to make the playoffs for a second straight year.

"There are some things that we have to be better at offensively," conceded Payton. "We had an opportunity to really put the game away at Washington (in Week Two) and were unable to run the football in a key situation. We were unable to get that key yard in Denver (in Week Three)."

Payton and Loomis made a concerted effort to draft Ohio State star Chris "Beanie" Wells but failed to pull off a deal to acquire the New England Patriots' first-round pick. Wells ended up in Arizona. The rich get richer.

Wells is large and powerful of stature at 6'1", 237 lbs and has drawn comparisons to the legendary Jim Brown. The Saints' attempt to acquire him on Draft Day says in a voice stentorian that the Saints covet a power back who can convert on third-and-short.

Loomis has not denied interest in free agent Edgerrin James—although the move seems unlikely, as James is past his prime, and Arizona turned to Tim Hightower to pick up the tough yardage during its Super Bowl season one year ago.

Provided the Saints do not acquire another back before the start of the season, veteran Pierre Thomas appears to be the favorite to supplant Deuce McAllister as the team's new "power back." McAllister, arguably the best running back in Saints' history, rewrote the team's record book. He was released in February after battling major knee injuries over the past few years.

Thomas burst on the scene in 2007 as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois, when he beat out former Ohio State star and fourth-round pick Antonio Pittman for a roster spot. In his first career start, he dazzled with 226 total yards against the Chicago Bears and has been a fan favorite ever since.

Although he lacks McAllister's size, Thomas bulked up to 225 pounds in the off-season. He is a fiery competitor who plays with a lot of passion. He averaged 4.8 yards a carry in 2008 as he gained over 600 yards. Thomas is deceptively strong. A leg-churner. Explosive. Burst and quickness in the open field.

However, Payton gives off vibes that he still may not be sold on Thomas as the answer. Thomas cost the Saints an early-season win in Denver a year ago when D.J. Williams nailed him on 3rd-and-1 in the final two minutes resulting in a 34-32 loss. In December, Payton cited that play as one of the reasons the team failed to advance to the playoffs in 2008.

Thomas is determined to hang on to the power back position, and he says all the "Beanie" Wells and Edgerrin James talk just serves as motivation for him.

"I'm going to fight to stay here. I'm going to fight to be the back they want. I'm going to try to show them that they don't need to bring anybody else in. I'm not going to sugarcoat anything. It's not going to be easy," Thomas told The Times-Picayune.

Reggie Bush remains the most lethal weapon in the New Orleans' backfield. Although, at 6'0", 203 lbs., he does not have the size or durability to assume the role once occupied by McAllister.

Bush is a hybrid—a runner-receiver-return man—who is at his most dangerous when he lines up in both the backfield and at several different receiver positions. He underwent minor off-season knee surgery but worked on a limited basis in last week's OTAs and is expected to be ready for June's mini-camp.

Bush became only the 12th player in NFL history to return two punt returns for TDs in a game against the Minnesota Vikings last year. If he stays healthy, he still has the potential to take his place among the league's elite.

Other candidates competing for playing time in the Saints' backfield include veteran Mike Bell, who played for Mike Shanahan in Denver for two seasons where scouts described him as "capable" and a "hard charger."

Lynell Hamilton, who spent last year on the practice squad, has the best size of the group at 6'0", 235, and he stood out in last week's OTA's, when he delivered a forearm shiver into rookie safety Chip Vaughn after catching a swing pass. Welcome to the NFL, rook!

Another back to keep an eye on is former Wisconsin star P.J. Hill, who led the Big Ten in rushing as a freshman in 2006. Last year as a senior, Hill averaged more than five yards a carry, but went undrafted after a DUI arrest two months before the draft. If Hill can correct his off-the-field problems, he could emerge in this crowded running back competition.

Fullback Heath Evans is also a part of the mix. Drew Brees likes the former New England Patriot.

"Heath Evans is one of those versatile FB/HB type players. He's a hybrid who can block linebackers and is a good runner and pass blocker. He's a smart guy. He can pick up the system, can catch the ball and can get you first downs," Brees said.

Thomas is the leader in the clubhouse, and has no plans to surrender without a fight.

"If they want to bring somebody in, bring 'em in. I'm just going to beat 'em out. That's how I've got to think about it: I've got to beat 'em out. If I don't beat 'em out, then it's on me."

The Second Battle of New Orleans is on.