What do these running backs have in common?

by Ditka'sGhost on Nov 14, 2008 2:46 PM CST

Question: What do Ladainian Tomlison, Marion Barber, Matt Forte, and Deuce McAllister have in common?

Each is averaging 3.8 yards per carry (Barber 3.9). I chose the first three because everyone will immediately recognize their names. No one questions their worth or what they mean to their orginazations success. A lot of people remember Matt Forte during his Tulane days and feel he is having a great rookie campaign.

Question: What is the biggest difference in these 4 players?

They each have about 100 more carries this season than Deuce McAllister. As a matter of fact, compare LT and Deuce's career stats: LT avg. 4.5, Deuce 4.3 per carry. They were drafted the same year, but LT has twice as many career carries. How can Deuce perform if he is not given the opportunity?

Now obviously I'm a little biased towards Deuce, but I hate to see him squander what is left of his career playing cheerleader to Sean Payton's lust to break Marino's record. KC has a horrible run defense. Can we please find out once and for all whether Deuce can still be that back that we all know? Can we give the defense a rest by running the ball? Can Payton evolve as a coach or continue this downward spiral towards mediocrity?

I just don't believe he is done. A lot of people were quick to write him off after his second knee surgery. Personally, I felt it was his heart that set him apart. I knew he would do the necessary work to get back to where he needed to be. He is a warrior, a leader, a winner.

As a lifelong fan you hate to see the great ones cast aside before their time is up! Hell, watch Deuce in his younger days. He doesn't look much different than he does now. His numbers are not much different either except for his haphazard use in the games. Rush for 4 yards, take him out. 2nd and 3, take him out. 1st and 10, throw deep, then take him out. 4 carries in the first half, sit him for a quarter and a half. Score a touchdown on a swing pass, done for the day.

I wish Deuce (and Drew Brees for that matter) would walk into Payton's office when he is game planning for the next opponent and say, "coach I'm ready, I've always been ready, it is time to give me the rock!"

Now your thoughts.......

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

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Comments

BRAVO!!

You not only said it all, you also said it well. I’m a long time Deuce fan, so I’m extremely biased. I have posted many times my absolute annoyance and lack of understanding with Payton when it comes to this issue. I still mostly believe it’s Payton’s ego that will not allow him to have much confidence in the former head coach’s star running back. Deuce has proven himself to be both healthy and capable this season. Still, Payton has blinders on to where he can only see his offense getting it done with Reggie or Drew (players he brought in).

This game will tell the truth when it comes to Payton and Deuce. The Chiefs have been run all over by every team in the league this year. This matchup screams “RUN THE DAMN BALL” for the Saints. If we don’t see Deuce’s number called more than 15 times this game (barring injury), then we’ll know there is something else going on that Payton is not telling us. This is the perfect matchup for a big power running back like Deuce.

Go Saints!!!!

by David "Satch" Kelly on Nov 14, 2008 4:30 PM CST reply actions

I'm afraid that Payton's idea of a running game

is 8 carries for Deuce, 7 for Pierre Thomas, and 5 for Aaron Stecker. Well, that’s 20 carries, right?

Yeah, it is; and it barely warms up anyone. Then, as soon as Reggie comes back, it’s 12 carries for Reggie, 5 carries for Deuce, 3 carries for Pierre, and 1 carry for Stecker. That’s even more commitment to the running game!

…at 3 yards a pop.

Fire Gary Gibbs!

by MtnExile on Nov 14, 2008 5:59 PM CST up reply actions