TallySaint

Saints Report: Adrian McPherson
Web Posted: 10/12/2005 12:00 AM CDT


San Antonio Express-News

Notebook


Saints trade for Chatman: Wasting little time in addressing their sudden need for help at running back, the Saints acquired Jesse Chatman from the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday.

The trade, which brought Chatman in exchange for a conditional late-round draft pick, came one day after an MRI revealed a tear in Deuce McAllister's right anterior cruciate ligament. McAllister, the team's top tailback, is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Chatman, a 5-foot-8, 245-pound 26-year-old, played his first three seasons in San Diego before being released by the Chargers and signed by the Dolphins during the summer. His best season was in 2004, when he ran for 392 yards and three touchdowns as LaDainian Tomlinson's primary backup.

Chatman will join Antowain Smith and Aaron Stecker in the Saints' tailback rotation. New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis, who fielded offers from several teams after news of McAllister's injury broke, said he felt Chatman was the best option available.

"We looked at every player out there," Loomis said. "We're happy with Antowain Smith and Aaron Stecker, but we needed to add someone to the mix."

Who needs Vick? The Saints said they won't approach Sunday's Atlanta game any differently if Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who missed last week's game against New England with a knee sprain, isn't able to play at the Alamodome.

Falcons backup Matt Schaub passed for 298 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to the Patriots.

"With or without Vick, Atlanta's Atlanta," Saints defensive back Fred Thomas said. "They proved it (Sunday). It's not Michael Vick that we have to beat. It's the Atlanta Falcons."

Schaub, like Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks, is a Virginia alumnus, and Brooks said he was happy to see his fellow Cavalier succeed.

"That's great for Matt," Brooks said. "He's always been able to grasp offenses. It's no surprise."

Mike Finger


TICKETS

As of Tuesday, unsold tickets for Sunday's game totaled more than 1,700. They range from $30 to $125 and are available at:

Alamodome box office: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

From the Saints: (210) 208-9520 or neworleanssaints.com

From Ticketmaster: (800) 877-0898 or ticketmaster.com


PARK & RIDE

Info: VIA Metropolitan Transit will operate special event Park & Ride service to the Saints' remaining two Alamodome games — Sunday vs. Atlanta and Dec. 24 vs. Detroit.

The service will be offered from the Crossroads, Randolph Boulevard, Blossom Athletic Center and South San Stadium locations. It begins two hours before kickoff, and return buses run for 90 minutes after the game.

Cost: Roundtrip fare is $5 for adults. A discount fare of $2.50 is available for children ages 5-11, senior citizens 62 and older with a photo I.D., Medicare recipients, persons with disabilities, and students with a valid VIA I.D. VIAtrans customers and their companion and children 4 and under ride free.

Phone: (210) 362-2020.


Meet the Saints: Adrian McPherson

Number: 5

Position: Quarterback

Height: 6-3

Weight: 218

Age: 22

Born: May 8, 1983

College: Florida State

NFL experience: Rookie

How he joined the team: Fifth-round pick (152nd overall) in 2005 NFL Draft

Inside the huddle: Third-string quarterback behind Aaron Brooks and Todd Bouman ... 17th quarterback drafted by Saints since 1967 ... Former Florida State standout played with Indiana Firebirds of Arena Football League in 2004 and was named the league's Rookie of the Year ... Completed 59.4 percent of passes (209 of 352) for 2,965 yards and six touchdowns with Firebirds.

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