Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

METAIRIE, La. (AP)—Hobbled and disenchanted, Chris McAlister(notes) wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL any more.

Suddenly, the 10-year veteran cornerback has been snapped up by the New Orleans Saints—one of only two remaining unbeaten teams in the NFL—and he’s glad to be back in pads again.

“Earlier in the offseason I wasn’t ready or (didn’t) have the mindset to come back and play football,” McAlister said Wednesday, his first day with the club. “For it to take as long as it did, I’m happy it happened before I had no other opportunity.”



At 32, McAlister was bitter about being cut by Baltimore, the only team for which he’d played during a highlight-filled career that included three Pro Bowl invitations, a victory in the 2001 Super Bowl and a famous 107-yard touchdown return of a missed field goal.

“He’s a veteran player that understands defense and is someone that we think can come in and help us,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “He worked out yesterday and did a good job.”

McAlister injured the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the middle of the 2007 season, but tried to play through it. He wound up playing in only eight games two seasons ago and six games last season before having season-ending surgery last November.

In February, while undergoing rehab, he was released by the Ravens. In June, he needed arthroscopic surgery to clean up debris in the same knee and he remained unsure about whether he wanted to attempt a comeback until the preseason rolled around.

“It was a bitter divorce in Baltimore, the way I was no longer a part of the club and for my first time in 10 years, didn’t have any place to call home,” McAlister said. “The offseason took on a new life for me. There was a transition period for me to figure out exactly if I’m going to come back and play football or am I not.

“The first preseason game started and I got butterflies like I was supposed to be coming out of a locker room somewhere,” McAlister said. “I knew I was supposed to be somewhere else instead of on my couch.”

Payton said the Saints are trying to get McAlister ready to play this Sunday, though it’s unclear how much they’ll need him. New Orleans knows it will be without starting cornerback Tracy Porter(notes), who badly sprained his left knee last weekend against St. Louis.

The other starting cornerback, Jabari Greer(notes), said his pulled left groin is feeling better and that he may return, though he missed Wednesday’s practice. New Orleans’ remaining healthy cornerbacks are rookie Malcolm Jenkins(notes), Randall Gay(notes) and Leigh Torrence(notes).

McAlister has not played in more than a year. His last game was on Oct. 19th of last season. He remained on the active roster three more weeks before finally deciding to have surgery.

McAlister said he expects to catch on to the Saints’ scheme quickly, given that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, like former Baltimore coordinator Rex Ryan, were both disciples of Ryan’s father, Buddy Ryan.

“They do the same thing,” McAlister said. “There’s just terminology difference.”

Saints safety Darren Sharper(notes) was noticeably pleased by the acquisition of McAlister, who played with Sharper’s brother, Jamie, in Baltimore.

“He’s a guy that’s going to be an experienced player, who has played in this league and has been a top, elite player in this league for many years,” Sharper said. “He fits our system perfectly.”

McAlister said his body feels about as good as it has in several years, noting that he passed physicals before and after his workout with New Orleans.

“It’s unfortunate, but fortunately I’ve been out almost a whole season with last year playing six games, the year before played eight games. And it’s like my body is fresher,” McAlister said. “Everything besides my knee is 100 percent fresh. I feel like I’ve still got a lot of bounce in my legs, and covering and doing my drills today I feel good.”

NOTES: Free safety Darren Sharper practiced on limited basis and said he also could return from the sore left knee that sidelined him last weekend. … Payton rested Reggie Bush(notes) and David Thomas(notes), who both had sore knees. … Starting defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis(notes) returned to practice for the first time in three weeks. He was limited but hopeful of returning in the next week or so. … The Saints waived reserve quarterback Chase Daniel(notes) to make room for McAlister, but could re-sign him to the practice squad or to the regular roster if another spot opens up later.

Saints acquire veteran DB McAlister - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

Please tell me this sentence isn't what he REALLY said ...

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

I know what you mean ... perhaps it is 90%?

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

98.6?

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

He said everything besides his knee is 100% fresh , so I take it he meant to say no other body part is or has been injured where he needed surgery or extensive rehab, not that his knee is bad.

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

LoL, i noticed a few of yall's comment's reguarding McAlister's health... Wut he wuz say'n is that he is 100% body whise & that it's rested up good & that his knee was the only part that wase'nt, but wut he meen's by that is that since he had surgery on it awhile back that it was the only problem he had since last season... His knee is 110%, nuthing 2 worry about... Not 2 mention, we all know one thing, if his knee was not healed or or anything like that, then coach Payton NEVER would have signed him... He's healthy & ready 2 go... I expect him 2 play a bit this week in Tampa. Im willing 2 bet they wont let Greer play just play it safe & make sure he's good 2 go against NE... Look for Greer starting & McAlister on the other side against MOSS... He alway's covered Moss whenever they played & surprisingly kept him in check!!!
GEAUX SAINT'S!!!

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

Thats exactly right TOBIAS... McAlister is READY 2 GO!!!

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

Hopefully he will do good. Kinda excited to see what ge Gots.

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

Brett Favre goes thru the same thing every year.

I want to play. (picks petal off flower)
I want to play not. (picks petal)
I want to play. . . .

McAlister makes sense to me. He feels good all over, just his knee is ****** up. Wait till youre in your 40's. It will make perfect sense.
I feel great. My body's just ****** up.

Just sounds like he's been playing football to me.

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

His knee is stale, kind of like 2 day old French bread.

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

Didn't McAllister always cover the weak side? He's in for Porter with Gay at Greer's spot right? That would be like MM switching sides...not sure if it would work. Should be CM.DS.RH.RG in the secondary this week or maybe Young will stay in this week at FS?

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

When you've had knee injuries and you come back from a layoff, it takes a while to get the knee adjusted. It's probably soar from workouts and stuff.

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

Allow me to fix that for you, in a Shakespearean parlance ....

To Play, or Not To Play ...... That is the Question:
Whether it's nobler in the mind to keep blowing teams out,
The slings and arrows of the outrageous Breesus,
Or to take interceptions against a sea of really bad quarterbacks,
And by opposing end them? To win, to win big;
No more; and by two touchdowns to say we win and end
The heartache of Saints Fans and thousands of naturally shocked Viking Fans,
That flesh is heir to, it's a Superbowl Win
Devoutly to be wished; to win, to win big;
To win, perchance to visualize it; ay, there's the rub;
For in that win of the Superbowl
When we have stuffed the living daylights out of the Vikings,
Must give us pause; there is the respect of the raucus Vikings fans,
That makes the Saints the Gods of the NFL;
For those who would hear the whiners and bear the frowners,
The referees are wrong, and Sean Payton is right,
The pangs of a defeated opponent, upon further review,
The insolence of the Viking fans and their blown groceries,
That patient merit of these O Holy Saints,
When Breesus himself might his quietus make,
With his bare hands? Who would dare challenge,
The grunt and sweat of Vilma and Sharper,
But that the dread of getting beaten by two touchdowns,
The undiscovered country that is our endzone by our opponents,
No Wide Receivers allowed, puzzled they will be,
And makes us win real big the Superbowl,
To the amazement of others that we not know of?
Thus conscience does make referees love us;
And thus the natural born winners and champions,
Sicklied o'er with the pale cast of going for the jugular,
And enterprises of great pith and moment,
With great regard Roger Goodell hands us the trophy,
And lose forevermore the paper bags; Burn paper, burn.
The fair Golden Football! Beautiful it is in our hands,
All Saints sins forgiven and forgotten.

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

McAlister said he expects to catch on to the Saints’ scheme quickly, given that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, like former Baltimore coordinator Rex Ryan, were both disciples of Ryan’s father, Buddy Ryan.

“They do the same thing,” McAlister said. “There’s just terminology difference.”

They may have similar coaching styles but I doubt very seriously that the two "do the same thing". Rex Ryan is a good coordinator but I don't think that he and Williams are even in the same league. Regardless I hope that the systems are similar enough to get good use out of McAlister quickly.:cool:

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

You are a complete hoot, Smash. Are you wearing them funny little britches
when you say all that?

"and lose forevermore the paperbags; burn paper, burn. "
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA....

"slings and arrows of outrageous Breesus.....'

just outstanding. youre gonna get some blblblblblblblblb, tonight if you keep talking like that, I can tell.

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

.. probably sounds like a little britch too reciting all of that :)

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

[QUOTE=Tobias-Reiper;177681].. what I wanna know, is how do they do that
deep, eloquent, booming voice, while wearing them little bitty britches.

I'm glad I live in modern times when we have bluejeans. I'd never go outside
in that era.

Re: Chris McAlister wasn’t sure he wanted to play in the NFL
 

Who knows, he could be another diamond in the rough like Sharp. It would be so great if he came in and had his best year ever. I hope he gets lots of playing time this Sunday because I cant stand to see Gay get burnt anymore. Every time the ball is thrown Gay's way I want to throw up.