Should The Saints Go With A Running Back?

After Deuce McAllister went down last season thanks to a brutal knee injury (his second in three seasons), the Saints were forced to rely on Reggie "Paparazzi Hating" Bush to carry the load in the backfield. With games of 17, 34, 32, and 64 yards on the ground, it goes without saying that the full time gig did not produce the dividends that New Orleans thought they would receive with the second overall selection.

Though Aaron Stecker had a couple of solid outings towards the end of the season, he will be a free agent this coming off-season and likely not re-signed. Versatile, yes, but the soon-to-be 33-year old has a better chance of being replaced by rookie running back Pierre Thomas (105 yards rushing, 121 yards receiving during week 17) who will cost the team a lot less money and give them a few more years.

So, if McAllister comes back from his injury, the Saints will be back to a three-back arsenal. Or will they? An article in today's edition of the New Orleans Times-Picayune hints towards the possibility that the Saints will not bring McAllister back - thus, saving the team $1 million in a roster bonus that will be due to the veteran. After finishing 7-9 this season, General Manager Mickey Loomis says that he would like to "do what's best for the team and Deuce."

If the team opts against re-signing McAllister, can they possibly feel that Bush and Thomas are enough to rely on? Drafting another back this season would not be far-fetched, but given the youth that is currently in tow, using their first round selection on a running back seems like a poor allocation of assets. The other option? Free agency, of course. Thankfully for New Orleans, the Free Agent running back scene is pretty rich.

Possible options include Michael Turner (UFA), Marion Barber (RFA), Jamal Lewis (UFA), Fred Taylor (UFA), Julius Jones (UFA) and a slew of other veteran-types. With the Cowboys expected to sign Barber to a three-to-five year extension, this almost ensures that Jones will be for the having.

A lot can happen between now and March, when the Saints have to declare their future with McAllister, but if I were a fan, I would not count out seeing a new name in the backfield of New Orleans come this fall.

Cincinnati Bengals: Rudi Johnson, Insufficient

After several seasons of incredibly consistent numbers, the Cincinnati Bengals (and fantasy owners alike) were significantly disappointed in the year that was produced by running back Rudi Johnson.

Though the Bengals offense was in the top 10 by the end of the 2007 season, the run game was a dismal 24th after generating only 97.3 yards per game. In fact, the team topped 100 yards only five times - and this is thanks to reserve running back Kenny Watson.

Watson's presence was the saving grace for much of the Bengals running attack, but his presence was pretty much by default thanks to injuries to Chris Perry and rookie Kenny Irons.

The Cincinnati Enquirer points out that this is obviously an area that needs to be addressed in the offseason. Without getting into the specifics of players either via draft or free agency, but the run-game is the biggest blip on the radar.

"It's obvious. We have to generate more in the run game," said offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski. "In addition, we need to develop a little bit better consistency."

Given the fact that the Bengals failed to top 20 points in seven games this season, resulting in a 7-9 record, I think that Bratkowski may be on to something. Otherwise, that "something" may be unemployment papers - at least he'll have Marvin Lewis to keep him company.


Running Game Needed [Cincinnati Enquirer]

When Your Quarterback Isn't Good, Fire Your Offensive Coordinator

The f*ck's a "pass?"
So let me get this straight. Norm Chow preferred Matt Leinart over Vince Young. The Tennessee Titans draft Vince Young. In his first full season as the starting quarterback, Vince Young throws for nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions in what would be the 21st ranked offense in the NFL. Titans fire Norm Chow?

Yes, Young was voted the Rookie of the Year last season, and even made the cover of Madden. You may even hear arguments that the cover actually led to his demise, but will anyone bring up the fact that Young's 6 (out of 50) on the Wonderlic test coupled with Norm Chow's complex offense may not have been a good fit? Not likely.

Chow was given very little to work with this season, and had to do most of his damage through the running game with LenDale White and a washed up Chris Brown.

Quick. Who was the leading receiver for the Titans this season? If you guessed Justin Gage with 55 receptions and 750 yards, you win. What you win, I'm not so sure.

Chow will undoubtedly be picked up by someone who believes in his system. History will be his friend, and the future will prove that his approach works. Give him a quarterback that isn't a few ticks above Mike Tyson on the IQ scale, and he'll be right back in the ranks of success. Book it.