No bluff: Deuce thrives in backfield with pair of aces

When the New Orleans Saints drafted Reggie Bush last April, some took to calling him The Savior. It was a draft pick that brought optimism to a city that craved, no, actually needed it.

Deuce McAllister had a heavy offseason: a knee to rebuild and worries about his job. (Getty Images)

They danced that day in the Big Easy, many of those same people still dealing with the destruction from Hurricane Katrina. Finally, they had something to celebrate. It was a feel-good time for most, but for one man the move meant a time of uncertainty.

Far away from the Reggie Bush Show that day, Deuce McAllister wondered about his future with the Saints. Coming off a torn ACL, McAllister had questions about his role with the team.

How would he fit in with Bush? Would they co-exist? What about the carries? Was he on his way out?

All those thoughts raced through his head as he thought about the pick. The night of the draft he called former Saints coach Jim Haslett, only months removed from being fired by the team, to discuss the situation. The two were close during Haslett's time, and Haslett was the man who drafted McAllister out of Mississippi, even though Ricky Williams was on the roster.

"He was emotional," Haslett said. "He was worried for his future."

McAllister remembers the conversation well.

"I called him to talk to him about Reggie being drafted," McAllister said. "I wanted to see what he thought the team might do. I know he wasn't there anymore, but I wanted his opinion. I wanted to see if he thought this was like when I came in and the Saints had Ricky Williams. We know what happened. They traded Ricky."

McAllister wasn't sure about his future in New Orleans until a few days later, when he had a conversation with new Saints coach Sean Payton. He assured McAllister that he would remain a priority in the offense. There would be enough carries for both backs.

"I was a little angry and a little upset at first," McAllister said. "But once he told me that we both were going to be in the offense, I was OK with it."

Payton has kept true to his word, and McAllister is a big reason why the Saints are the surprise team of the first six weeks. At 5-1, the Saints have exceeded all expectations and McAllister and Bush have been the keys to the offense.

McAllister leads the team in rushing with 444 yards, good for eighth in the NFL. Bush had done his part, too. He's fourth in the league with 38 catches and has 196 yards rushing.

McAllister-Bush appears to be a heck of a parlay. What's more, McAllister is OK with it.