He’s not on many lists as the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, but nobody in the league is playing better than New Orleans RB Deuce McAllister.
McAllister may be the most complete back in the league. Consider:
– He has run for more than 100 yards in nine consecutive games and is coming off a sensational 165-yard game against the Redskins.
– His breakaway speed that turns 7-yard gains into 20-yard gallops (13 runs of 20 or more yards this season) when he gets into the secondary.
– He’s also a top-notch receiver and is comfortable carrying the load of the Saints’ offense.
New Orleans was 1-3, on its way to a last-place finish after being blown out 55-21 by the Colts, and head coach Jim Haslett seemed out of answers. But he was searching for the formula that would get his team back into contention.
Haslett realized that QB Aaron Brooks was much too inconsistent. While Brooks has a strong arm and better than average athletic ability, he is much better in a secondary role.
The Saints are still on the outside of the playoffs looking in. But they have won five of their last seven games behind the running of McAllister–who long ago made Saint fans forget Ricky Williams.
Silver bullets
– Colts head coach Tony Dungy made a terrible error when he kicked to Patriots speedster Bethel Johnson with 12 seconds left in the first half. The Colts had just trimmed a 17-point deficit to seven, but Dungy kicked to Johnson, who scored a TD as time ran out. That’s the kind of mistake that can send a team to the sidelines in the postseason.
– Eagles’ tackle Jon Runyan may be the most underappreciated blocker in the league. He held Panther DE Julius Peppers sackless in Philly’s 25-16 win.
– In their 24-7 win over the Giants, the Bills scored their first touchdowns on the road since Sept. 14 at Jacksonville. Good luck next year, Kevin Gilbride. The Bills’ offensive coordinator will almost certainly get the gate after the season.
There’s more than a little grumbling in Minnesota about Daunte Culpepper. He was sacked eight times, fumbled twice and threw an interception in the Vikings’ 48-17 loss at St. Louis. He had nervous feet and made shaky decisions as the Vikes imploded once again.–
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RB
TEAM
100
YEAR
Barry Sanders Detroit 14 ’97
Marcus Allen L.A. Raiders 11 ’85-86
Walter Payton Chicago 9 ’85
Fred Taylor Jacksonville 9 ’00
