Saintman2884

I sincerely hope Deuce will be back to the form of 2002/2003 next year but that may be hoping for too much IMHO. He was already on the decline even before this season began. Which leads me to my next point: Was Deuce's best years wasted by an incompetent HC and a mediocre staff like Venturi and others who did not do their fair share? At one time Deuce was a MVP caliber player who could do anything at anytime but his teammates did not do as much to help out? We had a chaos reigns HC who was at best fighting to keep his team afloat and make his exit in 2005? I also see Reggie as the best example of this. I dont want him to end up like Deuce did? End up with a broken body and a career haunted by what ifs?
What if Deuce's teammates had tried harder and had put as much determination as he did for all those many years and contributed much more?
We have a much better team then we did under Haslett and probably a more aggressive type of play calling in Sean Payton. I think Bush can learn from where Deuce's mistakes led him.

Because Deuce deserved a better career then the one he got. He had so many good years and this team always found a way to keep itself at one decibel below, it never ever went to the next level. We only went so far and that hurts beyond belief. And yes I do hate Haslett for it. He had some great potential but he blew it with his stubbornness and blind loyalty to the wrong people. WE had Micheal Lewis, Sammy Knight, La rio Glover, Joe Johnson, and lastly Deuce that this team extremely misused and did not do what they could have done and maximize their potential too.

MatthewT

Well, you ask a lot of loaded questions. First of all, Deuce was not misused during those years. He was simply the best football player on the team, and the Saints used him to try to win games. The HC and staff was not incompetent either, but I will admit some of the choices they made were very questionable. One thing that particularly got me was the decision at QB. At the time I had nothing against Brooks, but how can you dump a guy like Blake who gave you a 7-3 start?

Getting back to Deuce, once again, he WAS the offense during that era. I don't think he was misused at all. I am with you that Deuce deserves a better career than he got. I think during that era Deuce had some exceptional teammates. That brings up another issue, another peeve that I have with the Haz era was why in the hell in 2001 he decides he needs more speed type of athletes instead of play makers? Say what you want, but the 2000 season belonged to Mike Ditka even though he was no longer coaching. It was his team that finally matured enough to win. Once Haz put his thumb on the operation, and wanted "HIS" team, things pretty much went downhill. Still, Haz was a very decent coach, but very hard headed.

Honestly, I don't give much hope for Deuce ever putting on a Saints uniform again. It's a shame that such a great player, and nice person, had to have his knees busted up. I really hope he decides to retire and build the greatest car dealership in the world! If he is able to comeback, I think the Saints are going to be in a bad position and have to release him. There is no way the Saints can keep him with the contract he has, especially not knowing if he can be effective again as a RB.

hagan714

Duce may redo his contract to stay a Saint if, and this is a big IF, he can return from a third knee operation. Twice is rare enough but a third is unheard off. So I am going to leave the future right there, in limbo.
I have to agree with Ditka Matt, he did build a good core group. Forget the Williams draft and you have to admit it. Even then with all of Rickie's wackier stunts he was a player that got better with each year. Blocking receiving and such. But like Sean he got jumped on by the fans quickly and often. Saints fans have no patience. I do not blame it on ignorance but more on the fact we know nothing but loosing. Winning teaches you a lot and well as saints fans we have not been allowed to sit in on those classes a whole heck of a lot.
Now with Haz he gutted the OL. Turley, who was hung out to dry by the media for speaking the truth about the Haz and the Saints. Roaf over some stupid problem with Horn that has never been proven as far as I know. Besides I would have kept Willie over Horn if it came down to it. Ok there are your two obvious moves that killed duce. Trade Willie for a 3rd and Move Turley to LT were he had no business being. Much like what we are doing with Brown right now. Then we cut loose a player no one really talks about at all. Chris Naeole. Yes Chris. That other hand picked first rounder by Mike Ditka. Since getting run out of town he has managed to anchor the Jacksonville OL for 6 solid years now since 2001. Granted he is not glamorous but he is solid. So right there is the death blow to Duce's career. There are a couple of other moves that hurt the OL but these three killed it.
Duce is doomed to be Archie's side kick as the best players in Saints history who unfortunately played for the Saints. If they played anywhere else they would have been pro bowlers with hall fame written all over them.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins