Metairie, LA (My Sportsbook) - The
New Orleans Saints on Tuesday released running back Deuce McAllister, who leaves the franchise after eight seasons as the all-time leading rusher in team history.
McAllister, 30, played in 13 games -- six starts -- in 2008, rushing for 418 yards and five touchdowns while adding 18 receptions for 128 yards and another score.
After battling through injuries, and with the emergence of both Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, McAllister saw less playing time than he did in past seasons. Bush combined for 844 rushing and receiving yards in addition to being a potent punt returner, while Thomas led the team in carries with 129, compiling 909 rushing and receiving yards with 12 touchdowns in 2008.
"Decisions like this are always very difficult ones to make," said Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. "Deuce has epitomized hard work, leadership and productivity throughout his career and has been a source of great pride for all of us associated with the team. His records and accomplishments speak for themselves about the type of player he was in a Saints uniform. He truly ranks as one of the greatest players in our club's history, and we are very respectful of everything he has meant to the Saints and our community."
The Ole Miss product holds Saints records for rushing yards with 6,096, rushing attempts with 1,429 and rushing touchdowns with 49. He also ranks eighth in receptions with 234. He recorded a team-record 27 100-yard rushing games and is the only back in New Orleans history to have four 1,000-yard seasons.
"Deuce has meant so much to our organization since we selected him in the first round of the 2001 draft," said Saints owner Tom Benson. "He has represented our club with dignity and class, and obviously been a great player -- one of our best all-time. Saints fans should celebrate his career and his accomplishments, and what we wish for him now is continued success."
McAllister has battled through multiple injuries during his time in New Orleans, tearing the ACL in both of his knees -- first the right knee in 2005 and then the left in 2007. His best statistical season came in 2003, when he ran for 1,641 yards and eight touchdowns en route to one of his two Pro Bowl selections.
"Deuce McAllister epitomizes what you look for in a football player," said Saints head coach Sean Payton. "Deuce played a major role with this team in our drive to the NFC Championship Game (after the 2006 season). He has suffered setbacks with his injuries and that has been unfortunate for him and for us, as he has played a critical role in our offense. Today, we start the process of trying to replace him and find that player that embodies what Deuce McAllister has meant to this team."
McAllister helped the Saints to the NFC Championship Game for the first time after the 2006 campaign, a season in which he ran for 1,057 yards and 10 touchdowns.
