Thomas looking to be power back for Saints

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

Even if the Saints don’t bring in another running back, Thomas won’t be the only candidate to assume McAllister’s former role as a complement to Bush.

Payton said he likes what he has seen from Mike Bell, a four-year veteran who rushed 13 times for 42 yards and a touchdown in four games after being signed in November last season, and Lynell Hamilton, who spent last season on the practice squad as a rookie. The Saints list Bell at 225 pounds and Hamilton at 235.

New Orleans signed two undrafted free agents with impressive college credentials — P.J. Hill, who rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons at Wisconsin before turning pro early, and Herb Donaldson, who rushed for more than 4,000 yards in his career at Western Illinois.

The Saints list Hill at 218 pounds and Donaldson at 226. Fullback Heath Evans (250 pounds), signed as a free agent in March, could be a short-yardage option as well.

“I think that we have good competition,” Payton said. “I think those guys understand their roles and understand what they’re competing for. They’re all competing for touches — be it hand-offs or passing plays or reps in a game — and we have three fullbacks that are doing the same thing, all with a little bit of a different background and experience.”

The Saints haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since McAllister rushed for 1,057 in 2006 as he and Bush combined for 1,622. In the last two seasons, the team’s top three rushers have failed to match what McAllister and Bush had in ’06.

In 2007, Bush led the team with 581, Aaron Stecker had 448, and Thomas 252 for a total of 1,281. Last season, Thomas led the way with 625, followed by McAllister (418) and Bush (404) for a total of 1,447. Thomas led the team with nine rushing touchdowns and 12 touchdowns from scrimmage.

Payton was asked if he felt a sense of urgency to add another running back, whether it be James or someone else.

“Not right now,” Payton said. “I know a lot has been written about that but I think the guy we’re looking for may already be in the building.”