Atop the New Orleans Saints’ franchise leaderboard for career touchdowns, sit two players who traveled far different paths to their success. Deuce McAllister came to the Saints in 2001 as a well-known commodity in the Gulf South region. A Mississippi native, McAllister was the Saints’ first round draft pick in the 2001 NFL Draft following a stellar career at Ole Miss, a member of the powerful Southeastern Conference. During his nine seasons with the Saints, McAllister set the franchise’s all-time records for career rushing yards (6,096), rushing touchdowns (49) and total touchdowns (55).
Following a serious knee injury to McAllister in the 2005 season, the Saints again drafted a heralded running back in the first round of the NFL Draft by taking University of Southern California running back Reggie Bush with the second overall pick in 2006. However, it was not the former Heisman-winner Bush but a 7th round wide receiver named Marques Colston who has made the largest impact on the franchise among its 2006 draftees. The Saints picked Colston #252 overall out of Hofstra, a Division I-AA university that has since disbanded its football program for financial purposes.
At 6’4” and 225 lbs, Colston was identified by many draft scouts as a tight end prospect and was not projected to hear his name called on draft day. However, Colston exceeded all expectations in his rookie campaign by finishing as the Saints’ leading receiver and placing tied for second in NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. In his six full seasons with the team, Colston has led the Saints’ high-powered offense in receptions and receiving yards four times, but has been left off the NFC Pro Bowl roster each season. His consistent performance, along with an unselfish attitude has drawn the praise of Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael.
“I think he’s been a great leader for that receiver room,” Carmichael said. “He’s just one of the most unselfish guys. He’s happy for his teammates. If they’re getting the ball, he’s never complaining about whether he has three catches in a game or seven. He’s the same Marques Colston every day.”
Having already passed Joe Horn for first place on the Saints’ career receiving touchdown list in Week 5 vs. San Diego, Colston tied McAllister for first place in total touchdowns (55) in franchise history in last Sunday’s win against Atlanta. With his next touchdown, Colston will stake his claim as the most prolific touchdown scorer in franchise history.
“It’s a great honor to be mentioned in the same sentence with two of the better players (Horn and McAllister) I’ve ever been around in my career and also two of the better people,” Colston told the New Orleans Times-Picayune.”
Carmichael insisted the imminent accomplishment won’t be a distraction for Colston or his teammates in the Saints’ Week 11 game in Oakland.
“Obviously we’re aware of it, but it doesn’t come up with him,” Carmichael said. “He’s going to go out and play his game and if the opportunity comes along in this game (that’s great), (but) he’s the most unselfish player we have. It hasn’t been brought up, but I think everybody is aware of it.”
One of the most popular players in franchise history, McAllister said he is proud to hand the touchdown record on to his former teammate.
“I’ve always respected his game and loved how he came to compete,” McAllister said. “He’s never been one to gloat, to say it was all about him. He’s an extremely hard worker. To be passed by a player like that, you’re extremely happy and proud for him.”
McAllister added, “And it’s a travesty that this guy has never made the Pro Bowl.”
saints did not play san fran in week 5
updated to San Diego