The Deuce is Cut Loose

In an article I should file under "totally expected news", Deuce McAllister the long time and very popular New Orleans Saints' running back was released today.

McAllister, 30, has for years remaining on his contract and was expected to make $5.3 Million in 2009. The Saints will save more than $4 million in salary-cap space this year now that McAllister is off the roster. His "cap figure" will decrease from $7.3 million to roughly $3 million. The way the cap works, the Saints still need to account for $3 million of his signing bonus from the eight-year, $50.1 million contract extension he signed in 2005.

"Decisions like this are always very difficult ones to make," Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement before the press conference. "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 on the field 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 decision to cut McAllister is not purely a cost saving maneuver, McAllister has seen his role in the Saints' offense diminish with the emergence of Pierre Thomas and the fact that McAllister has suffered 2 knee injuries in 3 season.