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NEW ORLEANS – I’ve been pondering this one ever since I got the news that the Saints have re-signed Deuce McAllister as I was boarding a plane in Tampa a couple of hours ago. Even as the pilot repeatedly announced, “We’re going to circle Louis Armstrong Airport while we wait for Air Force Two to take off," this was all I could think about.

The Saints have brought back the franchise’s all-time leading rusher and one of the nicest guys to ever play in the NFL.

Why?

That’s where I’ve been totally stuck for the last couple of hours. On the surface, all the indications I’ve been able to get are that this is nothing more than a public relations move. A brilliant one, but nothing more than that.

But I’m having a really tough time digesting that. Coach Sean Payton has indicated that McAllister will be inactive for Saturday’s playoff game against Arizona and his main role will be to lead the Saints onto the field.

Again, it’s brilliant. But when have the Saints ever made a move with public relations in mind? Seriously, when they had a chance to grab the international stage in London last year, they served up three players, all at the same time, for five minutes a day and spent the rest of the time in a bunker. If this was really about public relations, they could top it by signing Archie Manning and making him the inactive third quarterback for Saturday.

But that’s the only move that could top bringing back McAllister. He’s an icon in New Orleans and up and down the Gulf Coast. It’s great that he’ll lead the Saints onto the field and that’s going to fire up a Superdome crowd that already was going to be fired up.

But I’ve got to admit, I’m wondering if there’s something up their sleeve here. Are Pierre Thomas’ ribs really healed? Are Mike Bell, Reggie Bush and Lynell Hamilton totally healthy?

It sure didn’t look like McAllister had much left as he hung around the sidelines last season. Maybe this really is all about public relations and motivation and that's not a bad thing. But the Saints already have cheerleaders. If McAllister is just going to be one of the cheerleaders, I’ll believe it Saturday when I see him standing on the sidelines.

AFC: Jets-Chargers: Graham | Williamson » Colts-Ravens: Kuharsky | Walker
NFC: Cowboys-Vikings: Mosley | Seifert » Saints-Cardinals: Yasinskas | Sando

Three nuggets of knowledge about Saturday's playoff game between the Arizona Cardinals (11-6) and New Orleans Saints (13-3):

1. I'm tired of hearing people tearing apart the Saints. Sure, the Saints weren’t good in their last three games. But the people who are forecasting doom for the Saints aren't taking a closer look. First, the Carolina game meant nothing because the Saints didn't play their starters. Yes, the losses to Tampa Bay and Dallas were ugly, but they came when the Saints had a lot of injuries. They’re healthy now and they look a lot more like the team that won 13 games. In the end, I’m thinking those 13 wins are going to carry more weight in how the Saints play than the three losses.

2. I recognized cornerback Jabari Greer in our X factor report this week because he’s back at full health and should have a big impact on the defense. But I’m going to throw another X factor out there for the offense and special teams. That’s Reggie Bush. Yeah, I know he gets bashed for not being the prototypical running back. But the fact is, he’s probably the best athlete on the field. When you throw a bunch of good athletes on a field, the best one is going to be able to do things the others can’t. That’s why I’m thinking Bush will be good for two huge plays.

3. We’re all talking about defense as if there won’t be any played in this game. It could end up looking like one of those 148-145 NBA All-Star games. But defense is going to play a role, and it could be a decisive one. Neither defense is capable of shutting down the opposing offense. But the defense that comes up with a turnover or two could decide the game.

As most of you know, I generally avoid making game predictions during the regular season. My logic is that predictions really don’t mean anything, and if my insight really was that good, I’d probably be living in Vegas.

But it’s the postseason and everything kicks up a notch. I’m going to make a prediction, largely because my longtime friend Brian Allee-Walsh, the outstanding football writer for NewOrleans.com, asked me and a bunch of other national journalists for predictions on Saturday’s game between the Saints and Cardinals. You can see them all here.

I gave one to Allee-Walsh, and I’ll repeat it here: Saints 41, Cardinals 38.

My logic goes something like this: I know the Saints weren’t impressive in their final three games. But I think they’ll bounce back because they’ve got most of their injured guys back. They also have Drew Brees, and that means a lot in my eyes. Finally, they’ve got the home-field advantage and that’s significant. New Orleans fans can truly rock the Superdome, and they’re going to be ready for this one. I don’t see the fans letting the Saints lose this one.

The Saints announced their first injury report for Saturday’s playoff game against the Cardinals, and it’s as positive as it’s been in months.

Every player on the current roster took part in at least some part of practice, and only four players were listed on the injury report. Receiver Lance Moore (ankle) and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring) each got limited work.

Running back Pierre Thomas (ribs) and defensive end Bobby McCray (back) also were listed on the report, but both fully participated in practice. Perhaps the best news of all is that Jabari Greer, who made a brief return in the regular-season finale after missing seven weeks with a groin injury, isn’t even listed on the report.

The Arizona Republic's Bob McManaman and the New Orleans Times-Picayune's Mike Triplett preview the Arizona-New Orleans playoff matchup.

New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma has shared a couple of scouting reports on the Arizona Cardinals on his PlayMaker Mobile page.

First, Vilma has high praise for Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner and the rest of the Arizona offense. Then, he has a short, but glowing scouting report on wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

It’s more than a little ironic the Arizona Cardinals and Beanie Wells are coming to New Orleans for a playoff game Saturday.

It’s a reminder of one of the best moves the Saints made (or didn’t make) last year. In the offseason, coach Sean Payton made the shrewd decision the team needed to be more committed to the running game. They weren’t going to take the ball out of the hands of Drew Brees and the passing game very much, but balance was needed.

How they went about making it happen was one of the smartest things Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis did. First, they let popular veteran Deuce McAllister walk. Then, they started looking hard at the draft and that’s where Wells came into play.

The Saints were sitting at No. 14 in the first round and they were pretty much locked into defensive back Malcolm Jenkins. There might have been some thought given to taking Wells with that pick, but it was obvious the Saints’ biggest priority was to get a cornerback.

But the Saints didn’t give up on Wells after taking Jenkins. They’ve admitted they at least considered the possibility of trading back into somewhere later in the first round. It didn’t happen and that’s turned out to be a good thing because the price tag would have been steep.

Wells has had a nice year in Arizona, where he shared the running load with Tim Hightower. Yes, the Saints certainly could have used Wells, but it’s worked out just fine for them without making any drastic moves at running back.

After the draft, the Saints at least toyed with the idea of signing veteran free agent Edgerrin James, who previously played for Arizona. But bringing in James would have been roughly the equivalent of keeping McAllister around.

Instead, the Saints did the smartest and most economical thing they could have. They stayed with what they already had in their building and just figured out how to use their personnel better.

With Payton's more committed approach to the running game in his play calling, the Saints became a solid running team. They’ve used Pierre Thomas as their main runner and he’s put out pretty much the same type of numbers Wells did this season. Thomas is New Orleans’ most complete back, capable of running inside and outside, catching passes and blocking.

But he’s had plenty of help from Mike Bell and Reggie Bush. Bell’s filled in Thomas’ role when Thomas has been hurt and also been a good short-yardage back. Payton seems to have realized Bush is never going to be a between-the-tackles runner and that’s a good thing.

When healthy, Bush has been effective as an outside running threat, a pass catcher and a return man. The Saints also have gotten undrafted rookie Lynell Hamilton into the mix at times.

So many times people use hindsight to look back at drafts and talk about what a team should have done in a negative way. When Wells comes to the Superdome, the Saints can look back and know they made the right move by not making a move.

Trent Dilfer breaks down the key matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints.

Three things to know about Saturday’s divisional playoff game between the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints:

1. New Orleans coach Sean Payton has taken some heat for giving his team almost all of last week off. The critics say Payton should have had his team practicing more because the Saints have no momentum after losing their last three games of the regular season. So what? I think the break was a good idea. The Saints were banged up and probably mentally drained after a season in which there was lots of pressure as they were winning their first 13 games. They had some injured guys that needed rest. Their healthy guys needed rest too. The Saints are going to be refreshed for this game, which is more than you can say about the Cardinals after their shootout against the Packers and a short week.

2. Cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter are healthy after missing a lot of the second half of the season with injuries. That’s great news because the defense wasn’t nearly as good once Porter and Greer went down. But just having them back isn’t going to solve all of New Orleans’ defensive problems, especially with Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and company coming to town. It’s not easy to shut down Arizona’s passing game even when you have good cover guys. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is going to have to get back to his aggressive approach from early in the season and send a lot of blitzes at Warner. The Arizona quarterback isn’t very mobile and a strong pass rush could help the New Orleans secondary from being stuck too long in coverage.

3. Say all you want about the defensive problems New Orleans had over the last couple months. I’m more concerned about the offense. Forget the season finale against Carolina because the Saints weren’t playing quarterback Drew Brees and most of their starters. But the two games before that were losses to Tampa Bay and Dallas and the Saints were held to 17 points in each of those games. They won’t win in the playoffs unless the offense is a lot more prolific. This game with Arizona is shaping up as an offensive shootout and the Saints have to get back to playing the kind of offense that can outscore anybody.

Posted by ESPN.com staff

Atlanta Falcons

• Former Falcons safety Michael Boley, who signed with the Giants in February, was handed a one-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy.
• Two Falcons players will help conduct a free football camp Saturday. This and more pre-camp tidbits from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter.
  

Carolina Panthers

• The Sporting News' Albert Breer cites the 2008 Panthers as an example of a team that benefited from veterans stepping up at the right time. Which teams could use that type of help in 2009?
• Trying to prove himself is nothing new for Panthers rookie tight end Kevin Brock.
  

New Orleans Saints

• Could the Saints be this year's version of the Arizona Cardinals; a team that surprises everyone and makes a run to the Super Bowl? Pro Football Weekly's Eric Edholm thinks it's possible.
• The team's Web site takes an inside look at wide receiver Marques Colston.
  

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• George Wilkens of The Tampa Tribune has the story of how new Bucs tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. helped out a local youth football league.
• Which NFL coaches are entering the 2009 season on the hot seat? On this list, Raheem Morris falls in the "should be safe" category.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

Karney

A couple of interesting details emerged from a radio interview with XTRA 910 in Phoenix from former New Orleans fullback Mike Karney.

First and foremost, Karney did the interview on his wedding day, a day after the Saints released him. Second, Karney said he was expecting the move by the Saints for about a month.

Finally, Karney, who makes his offseason home in Arizona, said his dream scenario would be to play for the Cardinals.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

We'll work in alphabetical order with our team-by-team mailbags. That means we'll start with the Atlanta Falcons.

Jimmy in Dalton, GA writes: Pat, this is why the Falcons do have leverage. Why does no one consider this scenario except me. If Vick refuses to rework his contract and is reinstated, the Falcons could wait until the day before the season starts or until the 53 man cut down to release Vick. This way his salary isn't guaranteed, only his bonuses that will count against the team anyways. If a team traded for the rights to Vick they could have a playbook in his hands ASAP at prison or the halfway house with tons of time on his hands. Why would a team want to wait until the regular season to sign him when he would be so much more valuable with preseason and training camp if the commisioner is willing to reinstate him. Hopefully the commisioner would keep him out of camp or delay his reinstatement similar to what he did before his conviction and with the way he handled Favre last year by not reinstating him from retirement until something was worked out. No one wants the media circus to be even greater than what it will be. I don't think it would play out like this because I believe he will be traded before the draft but at least the Falcons would have some leverage to work out a trade this way. Hopefully it will force Vick to restructure his deal so that his value doesn't drop and he can make the salary he's promised the bankruptcy judges that he'd make.

Pat Yasinskas: Love your enthusiasm, but I think you're looking at this from an absolute best-case scenario that I can't see playing out this way. Sure, that would be nice for the Falcons, but I don't think they'd carry Michael Vick on the roster until just before the season starts because that would create the kind of media circus you mentioned. Also, Vick's base salary wouldn't be guaranteed, but it (along with his pro-rated bonuses) would count against Atlanta's salary cap once he is on the roster again and that wouldn't change until he's off the roster. I don't think the Falcons really would be looking to clear up major cap room as they start a season. I think the Falcons want to wash their hands of Vick as quickly as possible. Yes, they'd love to trade the rights to Vick before the draft and have this all out of their hair. But I don't know that teams are going to line up to trade for Vick. The Falcons may simply have to release him and I think they're well aware that's a good possibility. Also, there are no guarantees on Vick being reinstated in time for this season.

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Shane in Wisconsin writes: With the falcons looking to trade the right to Michael Vick, do you think the Vikings should give this serious thought? Micheal Vick and Adrian in the same back field is very intriguing.

Pat Yasinskas: I'm definitely of the belief that Vick can help a team, assuming he gets reinstated. This guy was a decent NFL quarterback before and he certainly has plenty of talent. I'll leave it up to our NFC North friend, Kevin Seifert, to discuss Minnesota's scenarios in more detail. But I will say that if I were the Vikings and the options were Vick and Tarvaris Jackson, I'd go with Vick.

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Stan in Atlanta writes: Hey Pat, you do a great job with the blog, wanted to thank you for keeping us abreast of all the happenings in the NFC South. We all know the Falcons have massive needs on the defensive end. I completely agree with you that Dimitroff and the Front Office will be focused on building through the draft and that we shouldn't expect any big FA signings or really any "sexy" draft picks. My question is, and it might be a bit early to ask, but what players do you think might provide value 1) outside of the first round of the draft and 2) at the mid-level of free agency? In other words, who can we hope to see suited up and playing for the Birds that will make other teams go "how did we miss him?" Thanks a bunch for the great columns.

Pat Yasinskas: I'm going to hold off just a bit on the draft question (until we at least get through the scouting combine and see how players are sorting out). As for mid-level free agents, I'm always hesitant to name too many names at this point. We're still almost two weeks away from the start of free agency and the list of free agents is going to change repeatedly as teams re-sign their own guys and teams cut players to create salary-cap room. However, since you asked, I'll throw out a few names that I think could fit the profile for the Falcons. Start with a couple of Tampa Bay defensive backs. Safety Jermaine Phillips and cornerback Phillip Buchanon are scheduled to become free agents (although I think the Bucs will make an effort to keep both). I think those guys, or players with similar talent, could fit nicely in Atlanta's secondary. I also think the Falcons need to look at defensive ends and the guy I like is Arizona's Antonio Smith, who is scheduled to be a free agent, although, again, I think the Cardinals will make an attempt to keep him. I was impressed with Smith in the playoff game between Arizona and Atlanta. He's still a young guy with upside and I don't think his price tag will be too high -- if he makes it to free agency.

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Matt from Lawrenceville writes: Hey Pat. I'm a big Falcons fan, and I agree with you about our defense. What players do you think we should go after in free agency to strengthen our linebacker and cornerback positions? Also, who do you think would be the Falcons' best bet with their first round draft pick? I've read a lot of draft predictions and I've heard BJ Raji, Brandon Pettigrew, and a lot of other names thrown out there, and I'm not sure who the best choice would be. Who's their best option? Thanks Pat.

Pat Yasinskas: I touched on free agency in the previous question and I'll throw in cornerback Leigh Bodden, who already is a free agent because he was released. I think Bodden is a guy who still has upside and I think that's what Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith are looking for. As far as the draft, we're still a long ways off. And the scouting combine is going to cause some guys to rise and fall. I like what I've heard about Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji. He's the kind of big, run-stuffing tackle who could take over for the aging Grady Jackson. Only problem, right now, is I don't know that Raji will last long enough for the Falcons to have a chance. Again, that could change in the next few months, but I think defensive tackle will be a big priority. If you could pair someone like Raji with Jonathan Babineaux, you'd be very solid in the middle of the defensive line. As far as Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew, that's a nice idea, but I don't see it happening. I do think the Falcons will look for a tight end who can catch some passes, but I think that will come later in the draft or in free
agency. As much as everyone would like Matt Ryan to have another toy, I don't think the Falcons will go crazy to get a big-name tight end. The position never is going to be used in Mike Mularkey's offense as a spot that gets a tremendous amount of passes. I think the Falcons will be looking more for a tight end who can give them 30 or so catches in a season and you don't use a first-round draft pick or a lot of free-agent money to get that.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

TAMPA, Fla. -- Had an interesting chat with former NFL receiver Ricky Proehl the other day about Kurt Warner.

The Arizona quarterback played with Proehl when the two were with the Rams. Proehl played with numerous quarterbacks throughout his career and said Warner is the best.

"Kurt throws such a nice ball,'' Proehl said. "It's easy to catch his passes. He always anticipates where to put the ball. Some guys throw a heavy ball. His is easy to catch. His knowledge of the game is incredible and he knows what defenses are trying to do and how to beat them. If you give him time, he'll pick you apart.''

But Proehl said what sets Warner apart more than anything comes off the field.

"Kurt is probably the most confident person I've ever met,'' Proehl said. "The more you get to know him, the more you realize it. Everybody knows the story about Kurt bagging groceries and then playing in Europe. But I'll bet you that, even when he was bagging groceries, Kurt was telling people he could play in the NFL.

"I think you can best summarize Kurt with a story I heard about (former baseball pitcher) John Wetteland. He gave up a grand slam once and his response was, 'Hey, the guy hit a great pitch.' Kurt's the same way. He'll throw an interception and he'll say the defender made a great play. He can throw 20 bad balls, but the next one is going to perfect.''

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

TAMPA, Fla. -- I'm pretty sure the family of Arizona linebacker Monty Beisel just arrived at Raymond James Stadium.

Didn't have a chance to confirm it with them before they started heading up the ramp. But I'm willing to bet they have to be Beisel's family because the chances of four random people walking into the stadium wearing Beisel jerseys at the same time has to be incalculable.

Pat Yasinskas talks to Football Today from Tampa where gives an eyewitness account of all of the Super Bowl media day activities.