Saints Gab

The Sun-Herald is reporting that RB Deuce McAllister took part in some limited drills at camp, even fielding kickoffs, in an effort to slowly work his way back. “He probably went 30 percent, 20 percent,” coach Sean Payton said. “Selectively on certain reps. He had his recheck last week in Birmingham. We are just bringing him along with a few other guys the same way. He took some but not a lot of reps. The one common denominator is that you are still in helmets and jerseys really,” Payton said. “You’ve just got to be mindful of that. I would probably liken his reps to where he was two years ago at this time coming off the other ACL. It’s getting his weight down and getting in shape and bringing him along so where there’s no setback.”

Saints DE Charles Grant finds himself in hot water tonight, as he has been indicted on a charge of involuntary manslaughter stemming from a February altercation at a nightclub.  The Saints have no comment on the charge according to spokesman Greg Bensel.  Grant was charged by an Early County grand jury that also charged Laquient Macklin with felony murder in the shooting death of 23-year-old Korynda Reed.

Reed died after being taken to the Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, after the fight early February 3rd.  Grant also received misdemeanor fighting charges.  He was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft. He had 2 1/2 sacks in 2007 while starting 14 games for the Saints and has 38 1/2 over his six-year career.

Linebacker Dan Morgan decided to retire on Monday.  The 29-year-old Morgan just signed with the New Orleans Saints in March after being released by the Carolina Panthers in February.  Morgan missed the final 13 games of the 2007 season due to an Achilles’ tendon injury, and did not play in the last 15 games of the previous season after suffering a concussion. 

Morgan was Carolina’s first-round draft choice in  2001 out of Miami, and started 59 games  for  the Panthers.  Morgan made 109 tackles in the 2004 season, when he was named to the Pro Bowl, and his 452 tackles rank third in Panthers history.

The Giants and Saints worked hard to try and work out a deal on draft day for tight end Jeremy Shockey, and even though it didn’t happen, reports from the New Orleans Times-Picayune today says the deal may still be worked out.  Jimmy Smith wrote today that Saints coach Sean Payton would love to have Shcokey in his offense, and that he is still the main force trying to get the Saints to make a deal with the Super Bowl Champs for Shockey’s services.

Shockey is not due to break the bank this season, making just $1.9 mil, so the Giants really don’t have any pressing need to get rid of him, unless New Orleans makes them a deal they feel is fair.  Plus if the Giants move Shockey, they would hurt their depth at the TE spot, as Kevin Boss would take over as the starter, leaving them with backups Jerome Collins, Darcy Johnson, and Michael Matthews.  The Giants are going to want a lot, it’s likely going to come down to just how bad the Saints truly want the brash TE.