FanHouse P.j. Hill

HOUSTON -- On February 17, the Saints made the decision to release running back Deuce McAllister.

With McAllister -- a longtime Saints fan favorite -- out of the picture, the door was open for a new way of doing things in the New Orleans backfield. Coach Sean Payton decided that he wanted to utilize three running backs instead of trying to rely on one. So he placed the onus on Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell to improve a rushing attack that finished 28th in the league in 2008.

The Saints will never be primarily run-oriented team, especially after leading the NFL in total offense (410.7 per game) and pass attempts (636) last season.

Payton has challenged his running backs: If you want more carries, then you have to produce.

With the draft less than a week away, it's time to start firming up the draft boards. When the draft begins, the Steelers will have multiple needs, although thankfully there is no position where the Steelers don't bring back a projected starter with some experience.

The Steelers bigger need is to plan ahead for 2010, when free agency could rip apart much of this past year's Super Bowl champs. With that in mind here are four plausible draft classes for the Steelersn as prepared by friend the Steelers draft nut, all of these include no trades. Every player is projected to go in a round where multiple draft experts still have them available on the board. There are a few spots where it is noted that it is less likely that player is still on the board when the Steelers pick in that round, but none of these are absurd stretches. Which of these classes would you prefer and why?

As Mark Hasty mentioned Friday, there is much pressure on the Wisconsin Badgers football team this fall. After a disappointing season a year ago, the heat is on to prove it was nothing but a fluke.

To do so, Wisconsin will rely, in large part, on a "new" starting offensive backfield in 2009. 2008's starting running back, P.J. Hill, is gone. Also gone is the guy who started the season as the top quarterback, Allan Evridge.

Last season Wisconsin running back Lance Smith was not allowed to travel with the team on road trips thanks to pleading guilty to charges of battery and disorderly conduct after getting into a fight with his girlfriend. As long as he followed the rules of the of the first-offenders program he was put into afterwards, Smith was going to avoid any jail time and could continue playing for the Badgers.

Then a month ago it was announced that Bret Bielema had suspended Smith when he failed to live up to the requirements of the program, and on Monday Bielema decided he didn't want to deal with Smith's antics any longer. Which is why Smith was kicked off the team.

Coach Bret Bielema, who suspended Smith last month, announced the dismissal after the team's first practice of the season.

What Smith did to be removed from the first-offender program has not been disclosed.

Smith's case will now be sent back to court for sentencing on battery and disorderly conduct charges.

Smith rushed for 429 yards in seven games for the Badgers last season, averaging six yards per carry, and scored three touchdowns. Still, with P.J. Hill, Zach Brown, and John Clay also on the depth chart, I don't think Smith's absence will hurt the Badgers too much this season.

As for Lance, well, I hope he has a good lawyer.

The Wisconsin Badgers didn't just lose a game on Saturday in Champaign, it turns out they've lost wide receiver Luke Swan as well.

Swan was injured after making a catch late in the game. After jumping into the air to make the grab, Swan came down and landed awkwardly, doing a split that made every man at home cringe simultaneously. It turns out Swan tore his hamstring thanks to the landing, and is done for the year.

Wisconsin wide receiver Luke Swan will miss the rest of the season because of a torn hamstring and is scheduled for surgery Wednesday.

"Luke is a great kid," coach Bret Bielema said Monday. "It was a hard day yesterday. It is tough for everybody."

Swan is a fifth year senior that currently leads all of the Badgers receivers with 25 catches and 451 yards, so the former walk on will be missed. Yes, the Badgers still have Travis Beckum at tight end who currently leads all Badgers with 485 receiving yards, but the loss of Swan will hurt him as well.

Now opponents can focus their coverage schemes to stop Beckum and not have to worry about covering Swan as well. Swan's injury will also effect P.J. Hill, who himself was banged up in the loss to the Illini. Don't be surprised when you see a lot more eight man fronts from opposing defenses as teams dare Tyler Donovan to beat them.

Granted, that's been the case for most opponents already, but without Swan it's going to be even tougher for the Badgers to move the ball consistently.