Former Ole Miss running back Deuce McAllister has been the centerpiece of the New Orleans Saints offense since the departure of Ricky Williams. Jason Doré was able to speak with McAllister following Wednesday’s practice session at the Saints Practice Facility in Metairie.
JD: How is it being a former Ole Miss Rebel now playing in an area where LSU is so popular?
DM: Well you got Tulane and LSU people, I’m in the middle of all of them. But you know where my blood is. I’m red and blue all over. I bleed red, white and blue.
JD: Is it strange to you that people who once cheered against you have become some of your biggest fans?
DM: No man, because they are Saints fans first. I probably pull for LSU unless the situation is like it is now. We need them to lose one game. Other than that, I’m pulling for LSU when they aren’t playing Ole Miss.
JD: Do you think there is a special bond among all the former Southeastern Conference players on the team?
DM: Obviously so because we are family. I mean you are SEC before you are ACC, the Big Ten or anything else. So I mean unless they are playing against your school, you’re going to pull for the SEC team.
JD: What was the experience like as an opposing player, playing inside Tiger Stadium?
DM: It’s the loudest stadium that you are going to play in. You have to catch LSU early. If you catch them late you got a lot on your hands. You pretty much have hell on your hands. It’s good to catch them early in the day because the fans are intimidating and the stadium is definitely intimidating.
JD: Do you have any memorable moments playing against LSU?
DM: I remember my junior year playing against them. It was kind of a rainy day and we had a big game against them. We weren’t expected to win and it was probably one of the most memorable. I always played against LSU. I think it was my sophomore year when they were highly ranked with Kevin Faulk and Herb Tyler. My freshman year, they had just come off the Florida victory and we upset them. To be honest, they just came out flat. When you play LSU you are playing a good brand of football team.
JD: I know you were at the Ole Miss-Auburn football game last weekend, but are you able to keep up with much college football during the season?
DM: Definitely. It’s a big game in two weeks against LSU. You can go back and look at the history of both of those teams. It’s a big rivalry.
JD: Is there much difference between playing college football at Ole Miss then playing professionally with the Saints?
DM: Not a lot. The fans are probably more involved in college. They are around you a lot more than in the NFL. There is more individualism in the NFL. In college you go back to the dorm with your roommates and your teammates come over a lot of the time. In the NFL, you have enough money for your own apartment or house. That’s probably the biggest difference.
JD: What does it mean to you for the coaching staff to design the offense around you?
DM: It means a lot, but all that I do is go out and try to do my job. I’ve been blessed with a lot of skills, and I thank the Lord for it.
JD: How did you get your nickname?
DM: Alabama’s David Palmer had the same nickname. I wore the number two as well growing up. My high school coach was also my junior high coach and he was a huge Alabama fan growing up. My real name is Dulymus, but it’s so hard to say. That’s what he started calling me and it just stuck with me.
JD: Thank you.
DM: No problem man.