Saints Know They Can Pass, but Believe They Can Run, Too

HOUSTON -- On February 17, the Saints made the decision to release running back Deuce McAllister.

With McAllister -- a longtime Saints fan favorite -- out of the picture, the door was open for a new way of doing things in the New Orleans backfield. Coach Sean Payton decided that he wanted to utilize three running backs instead of trying to rely on one. So he placed the onus on Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell to improve a rushing attack that finished 28th in the league in 2008.

The Saints will never be primarily run-oriented team, especially after leading the NFL in total offense (410.7 per game) and pass attempts (636) last season.

Payton has challenged his running backs: If you want more carries, then you have to produce.

Saturday night, the Saints displayed their newfangled running game, gaining 173 yards on 27 carries in a 38-14 preseason victory over the Texans.

Bell, against the team that released him in training camp last year, carried just 10 times but rushed for 100 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to give the Saints a 14-7 lead -- a lead they wouldn't give up the rest of the night. All told, the Saints would score three touchdowns on the ground, one each from backups Herb Donaldson and P.J. Hill.

The 100-yard game from Bell was something unusual for the Saints. In the last two regular seasons, they have had a player rush for 100 yards in a game just three times.

That count may increase, though, if performances like Bell's convince Payton to turn the running game loose.

"It's just having the confidence in some of these guys," Payton said. "A lot of people may not know the names or the faces, but you go by what you see in the evaluation. I do like the depth at that position."

Five running backs saw action for New Orleans Saturday, and that number doesn't include Bush, the star of the bunch, who didn't play because of a calf injury. He also wore a brace on his left knee, which was surgically repaired in the offseason.

Thomas, who rushed for 625 yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season, both team highs, will be the Saints' No. 1 back if Bush is injured. In fact, Thomas hold that title even if Bush is healthy and in the lineup.

Bell, meanwhile, probably probably earned the No. 3 running back job with Saturday night's performance.

"[There is] a lot of competition daily, and it's getting better," Bell said of the running back depth. "We all bring something different to the table, and we all complement each other."

New Orleans will probably keep four running backs, with a possible spot open for a fifth guy on the special teams unit.

The Saints' change in strategy isn't unusual -- more and more NFL teams are going with two- and three-back rotations. The Giants led the NFL in rushing in 2008 while using a trio of backs, and three of the top five teams in rushing last season utilized a committee approach.

"They have as much worth ethic as the guys in New York," said Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey, a member of the Giants from 2002-07. "Everyone works really hard, and I think it gets better when [Bush] gets back. We have a slasher, a runner and power. You saw all three of it [Saturday]. I know, as a defense, it has to be very tough to defend. You have to switch up your tackling. It's fun to watch and play with."

Payton said the goal is to create mismatches for opposing defense because of the Saints' versatility at running back. Ideally, quarterback Drew Brees will also be able to take advantage of his back in the passing attack, too -- out of 22 completions for the Saints on Saturday, seven found RBs.

But the main goal for the backs is to find more room on the ground. And if the Saints can establish the run more effectively this season, just image what their already-potent passing game will look like.

"That's one thing [Payton] wanted to work on is our running game, like in this game," Thomas told FanHouse. "We showed we can run the ball and if he allows us to get a couple of touches we can do a good job with the running scheme."