Did Hasslett do the right thing by playing Duece?

daviddrake2 · 12-02-2002, 08:02 PM

I don't know about you, but I think Has made the right choice when he started Duece McAllister against the Bucs last night. Even though Duece was hurt and it was obvious that he was nowhere near 100%, I firmly believe that having him in the game enabled the SAINTS to win that 'must-win' game.

Everyone knows that our Brooks needs to have a successful running game going to be really effective with the pass. Unfortunately, with Duece out, our running game is lackluster at best. So Duece's 106 yards (99 rushing + 7 receiving) made sure that the Bucs always had to guard against such an explosive weapon. That meant that Brooks could take advantage of more man coverage on his receivers and connect with Horn and Reed when he needed to.

I know that it is always a gamble when you bring a valuable player like Duece back quickly from an injury -- you run the chance of aggrevating the injury and losing them for the season -- but you have to look at last night's game as a playoff game, because there was so much riding on the outcome. Hell, we are righ back in the hunt after that win.

Because of his contributions, both directly and indirectly, Duece gets my vote for game MVP and I applaud Hasslett for having the balls to start him in such a crucial game.

Go SAINTS!!!!!

David in Houston

[Edited on 3/12/2002 by daviddrake2]

12-02-2002, 08:02 PM	#1
daviddrake2 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Houston (formerly N.O.) Posts: 270	Did Hasslett do the right thing by playing Duece? I don't know about you, but I think Has made the right choice when he started Duece McAllister against the Bucs last night. Even though Duece was hurt and it was obvious that he was nowhere near 100%, I firmly believe that having him in the game enabled the SAINTS to win that 'must-win' game. Everyone knows that our Brooks needs to have a successful running game going to be really effective with the pass. Unfortunately, with Duece out, our running game is lackluster at best. So Duece's 106 yards (99 rushing + 7 receiving) made sure that the Bucs always had to guard against such an explosive weapon. That meant that Brooks could take advantage of more man coverage on his receivers and connect with Horn and Reed when he needed to. I know that it is always a gamble when you bring a valuable player like Duece back quickly from an injury -- you run the chance of aggrevating the injury and losing them for the season -- but you have to look at last night's game as a playoff game, because there was so much riding on the outcome. Hell, we are righ back in the hunt after that win. Because of his contributions, both directly and indirectly, Duece gets my vote for game MVP and I applaud Hasslett for having the balls to start him in such a crucial game. Go SAINTS!!!!! David in Houston [Edited on 3/12/2002 by daviddrake2]