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A Look at the Running Backs
NewOrleansSaints.com
Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 3:00 PM
RUNNING BACKS
Deuce McAllister: 7th NFL Season: 7th with Saints
Reggie Bush: 2nd NFL Season; 2nd with Saints
Aaron Stecker: 8th NFL Season; 4th with Saints
Jamaal Branch: 1st NFL Season (accrued season under NFL guidelines); 2nd with Saints
Antonio Pittman: Rookie Season
Pierre Thomas: Rookie Season
Depth, depth and more depth.
When the Saints drafted Reggie Bush second overall in the 2006 draft, fans wondered how the carries would be shared between Bush and veteran Deuce McAllister. There was concern that McAllister would not be happy about sharing touches.
The situation could not have worked out better. McAllister and Bush, who employ different running styles, have a singular goal in mind: winning. Both players epitomize the phrase “team players” and are leading presences in the Saints’ locker room and beyond.
 Deuce McAllister photo by Michael C. Hebert McAllister, the “thunderback” out of Ole Miss, has no problem splitting carries with the dynamic Bush and the two runners complement each other like few other duos in the league. McAllister churned out three one hundred yard rushing games out of the last four games he appeared in during the regular season and eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark for the fourth time in his first six season. In so many words, Deuce was turned loose, a harbinger of things to come in ’07.
McAllister By The Number: 27: Career 100-yard rushing games, a team-record.
Riding right along McAllister as a featured element in the Saints’ offense is second-year dynamo Reggie Bush, who the Saints tabbed in the first round of the 2006 Draft after a Heisman Trophy garnering as a senior and Everybody’s All-American career at USC. Bush did not disappoint in his rookie year, setting an NFL record for most receptions in a season by a rookie (88) and collecting 1,523 all purpose yards and nine touchdowns.
 Reggie Bush photo by Michael C. Hebert Bush is equally adept out of the backfield as he is in the passing game and gives the team a true presence in the punt return game. Bush admittedly gained confidence as the season wore on and displayed his game-breaking skills at numerous junctures. Head Coach Sean Payton his talked at length since Bush’s arrival about the versatility that Bush gives the Saints in that he can line up in many different offensive positions, thus allowing the Saints’ play-caller a myriad of options.
Bush By The Number: 5.6 Yards: “Per touch” average Bush racked up in 2006.
 Aaron Stecker photo by Michael C. Hebert Serving as a consummate “Jack-Of-All-Trades” is veteran Aaron Stecker. The native of Green Bay, Wisconsin was arguably one of the most impressive performers during mini-camp and the OTA’s and was seemingly all over the field. Stecker is a hard runner with above average speed and brings a wealth of experience and is a key special teams performer. In addition to his work as a running back, Stecker has also filled in at times as a fullback and provides a wily presence on special teams, as both a kickoff returner and as a coverage specialist.
Stecker By The Number: 104: Total games played, counting regular season (98) and postseason (6), Stecker has appeared in throughout his career.
Jamaal Branch, Colgate’s second all-time leading rusher, was a pleasant find in 2006. The former NFL Europe graduate opened eyes with an impressive 2006 preseason. Branch, standing 5-11, 230 pounds, is a powerful inside runner and displayed hunger and drive on special teams. Branch was activated late in the 2006 season to the 53-man roster and spending a good portion of the season on the practice squad. He scored his first NFL touchdown in the season finale on a seven-yard pass from Jamie Martin.
Branch By The Number: 48: Touchdowns Branch scored as a collegian at Colgate.
Antonio Pittman was a three-year letterman for the Ohio Buckeyes before the Saints traded up in the fourth round of the 2007 Draft to snare his services. The former workhorse for the nationally ranked program the past two seasons, Pittman started every game in 2005-2006 and posted an impressive 5.3 yards per carry career average in the physical Big 10. During his career, Pittman jumped into the top five in career 100-yard games (14), joining such luminaries as Archie Griffin (34), Eddie George (20) and Keith Byars (17). In 2006 Pittman was named first-team All-Big 10 after he started all 13 games and led the tem in rushing with 1,233 yards (5.1 avg.) and 14 touchdowns.
Pittman By The Number: 94.8: Yards per game Pittman averaged in 2006 while at Ohio State.
Pierre Thomas: A rookie free agent signing following the 2007 Draft, Thomas ranks seventh on the Illini career rushing list with 2,392 yards and ranks third on the Illini career all-purpose yardage list. An accomplished kickoff returner, Thomas completed his undergraduate career with 1,328 yards, just 56 yards shy of the school record. Thomas, the Illini's MVP the past two seasons, posted eight career 100-yard games. Thomas is a native of Lynwood, Ill., where he was a top 100 national recruit as a senior by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Thomas By The Number: 4,099 All-Purpose Yards Thomas collected at Illinois.
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