GumboBC

Under-radar Saints have talent to surprise if they grow up
Aug. 5, 2004
By Pete Prisco
SportsLine.com Senior Writer
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METAIRIE, La. -- As New Orleans Saints running back Dulymus McAllister -- yeah, you know him as Deuce -- sat at his locker, stripping away his pads after a hot, trying practice Tuesday, he fought to find the right words to describe the reason for the team's inconsistency the past few years.

He threw out a variety of reasons for the Saints seemingly schizophrenic ways, but the one he kept coming back to, the one many pundits say is the thing that has held this team back, is a maturity issue.

Youth in the NFL can be both good and bad. Young players are athletic and spry, but they also have a tendency to break down at key points, which is what McAllister said has happened to his team the past couple of seasons. They haven't yet learned how to win.

"It's time that this group puts that all behind us," said McAllister. "The core group has matured together. We've been here for three or four years. The only excuse we have now is if we have major, major injuries. Other than that, it's our time."

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