JOESAM2002

Saints | McAllister Needs Work On Pass Protection
Sat, 5 Jul 2003 11:56:18 -0700

Jeff Duncan, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reports for the Sporting News that New Orleans Saints RB Deuce McAllister needs to improve his pass protection skills and his route running.

BillyCarpenter1

This is the low down on Duece coming out of college. I hope his blocking will be improved this year but I really hope to see him used in the passing game more. What a weapon. We\'re lucky we got him.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Top 2001 Draft Prospects.

Deuce McAllister has been rated the very best running back for the taking in the upcoming 2001 NFL Draft. He has been compared to St. Louis Ram elite running back Marshall Faulk. He stands 6-1 and weighs 221 with a 40-yard dash speed of 4.38.

Inside running: Unlike most versatile backs, Deuce has the size and power to run right up between the tackles. He will have to demonstrate more patience being a rookie but he has quick feet, change-of-direction skills and the burst to excel as an inside runner. He is not afraid to lower a shoulder even though it is not natural for him. If a flaw he has to work on running with better leverage.

Outside running: Rarely will lose race to the corner, and he has an excellent second speed once he reaches the open field. He lacks some creativity as a runner, but that will come with experience. He is a huge threat because of his speed, burst, acceleration and change-of-direction skills.

Blocking: He has some talent here but he has not been asked to block very much while in college. He will need time to learn NFL blocking schemes, but with his strength and athletic ability he will do just fine.

Hands/routes: This is a distinct strength of McAllister’s as he has wide receiver-type skills and he will be split wide sometimes. Much like the same way Rams Marshall Faulk is used now. He has tremendous hands and is great after the catch.

Durability: He has a weakness in this category because he has battled injuries his entire career. He has never been asked to carry the entire load. So the jury will still be out as to how he lasts an entire season.

Bottom line: Duece is an all-purpose back that can do everything run, catch and block. He is a very gifted college running back, but he must be able to prove he can handle an every down workload. He will be a top ten-draft pick and he will be able to start immediately after drafting.

lumm0x

With the weapons we have on offense, defenses will be on their heels alot. Chances are when Deuce has to come out of the backfield he will be next to wide open. He has as much potential for big play on short dumps as any carry he will get.
If he can maximize his blitz pickups he will help Brooks get to his late reads. Brooks does need to move down his reads faster. He seems to lock on target and try to wait for seperation when he already has seperation on the other side of the field. When he doesn\'t force throws he is highly effective. Deuce\'s ability to pick up blitzers or chip block edge rushers will benefit Brooks and the WRers as they can only be covered for so long.

BillyCarpenter1

I agree that Duece\'s ability to block will help Brooks and the receivers. How many times have you seen the great backs pick up a blitzer that allowed the QB to get rid of the ball.

For me, the biggest way to slow down a blitz is by mixing in some screen passes or throwing to the running back in general. By doing this, someone has to be responsible for covering the back, usually a linebacker, which means, he can\'t blitz.

In the Rams glory years, Warner had all day to throw. A big part of all the time Warner had to throw was the defense had to honor Faulks ability to catch the ball coming out of the back field.

This will add a whole new dimmision to the Saints offense and make Brooks much more effective.