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Racking up the frequent flier miles
Updated: Saturday April 07, 2001 1:46 AM
Former Mississippi running back Deuce McAllister is expected to be a top-10 pick in the 2001 NFL Draft on April 21. McAllister gained 3,676 total yards and scored 39 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Rebels. This is the sixth in a series of Draft Diaries from McAllister. Check back weekly for another NFL Draft Diary from him at CNNSI.com. I'm in Jackson, Miss., for the weekend at my parents' house after taking two visits earlier this week. I just got back on Thursday from visiting the New England Patriots and I was in Kansas City on Monday and Tuesday. I have two trips left next week -- one to San Francisco on Monday and then one to Cleveland next Wednesday. My two visits this week both went very well and both of those teams had good points to offer. New England is building a new stadium and they are anxious to get into their new facility. They showed me the construction and I was very impressed by it. And Kansas City has some beautiful facilities, too. Both offenses are systems that I would be pretty effective in. With both organizations, I met the head coach, general manager, special teams coach, running back coach, vice president of football operations, the whole nine yards. Both [Kansas City's] Dick Vermeil and [New England's] Bill Belichick were laid back and very professional. I feel very happy that each of them brought me in for a visit. Vermeil sees a lot of the things in myself that he used to utilize with Marshall [Faulk] in St. Louis. He told me how my versatility could be used like Marshall's to create the same kind of mismatches. I think any team that picks me up would try to use my talents like that. It wouldn't matter if I played for a more defensive-oriented coach like Belichick though, because the Patriots have an established quarterback and some deep threats at wide receiver. Really the only thing that has been missing in New England the past couple of years has been the running game. The Pats were most productive when they had Curtis Martin and Robert Edwards, so I think having a versatile running back like me could get them back to that level. At times it's tiring flying around to do the interviews, but you have to try to enjoy it. You try not to be too tired when you do your interviews with the coaches. I've still been trying to get a workout in whenever possible, because a lot of other guys in the draft are able to work out while you are on the road. You only get to see a little bit of the cities on these trips because your days are pretty much filled. Both Kansas City and Boston are nice cities. In both places, they really love their football. The Chiefs and Patriots are organizations that are very eager to get back to the top.
I've been talking to my agents daily about my draft status. Right now, I've been getting hammered a lot for the injuries that I had last season. I'm 100 percent healthy and you have to realize that injuries are going to occur. I think I've done everything in my power for them not to occur again. I think I have a lot to prove as a player because everybody is not on my side. It really doesn't matter to me, though, because I believe in my ability and I know what I can do. I don't regret not working out at the Combine or playing in the Senior Bowl. True enough, the Combine was a big show, but I think I did a good enough job at my private workout and that I impressed the right people. I wouldn't be greatly disappointed if I didn't go in the first 10 picks, but I really do expect to be in the top 10. You never know what may happen on Draft Day, too. A team may move up in the draft that really likes you and can't show it right now. It's probably a 60-40 chance that I'll get picked by one of the four teams that brought me in. I won't say who right now, but there is a team out there that has shown interest and I can't visit because my schedule is booked. But it's an intriguing situation for myself and for them as well. They wanted to bring me in for a visit, but I can't really get in to visit them with my other trips that I have scheduled. It would be a great situation for myself, and I think they are finally on the move. It would be great to help that organization try to win. I'm planning on being in New York right now. And if I decide not to go, then I'll be at home in Jackson. I really haven't made a final decision on it. My mother and sisters and father would go with me. Draft MailbagI think that you have the best hands in the draft, including the wide receivers. Do you think that if you were ever unable to contribute at running back as much as you or the team you go to would want, would you ever consider becoming a full-time wide receiver? -- Robby Lawler, Arcata, Calif. You would definitely have to take it into consideration, but I don't think that will happen. I think they'll try to use my size and my ability to run the ball and we'll just see what happens. What exactly goes on during pre-draft visits to NFL teams? You have already ran the 40, benched, caught passes and answered questions, so what more do they need to know? -- Mike, Salisbury, Mass. The visits are just an opportunity to get to talk in a more laid-back situation. It's just a chance to familiarize yourself with them and another chance for them to get to know you a little better. It's more enjoyable because things aren't as rushed. I probably got to spend about 30 minutes with each team's head coach and running backs coach. Every year in the draft, numerous draft picks say that it doesn't matter what team they get drafted by. Do you have a dream team that you would like to play for or a team that you feel fits best with your abilities? -- Joe Fisher, Chicago I honestly don't care which team takes me, as long as they have an established quarterback. I would hope, with me being from the South, that it's warm weather, but I can't really control that. I am just excited to be drafted into the NFL, and I will be happy to play anywhere. Do you think that your style of play will have to change entering the NFL? -- Kiel Roach, Penfield, N.Y. I don't think my style will have to change for the NFL. There will be some adjustments, but I don't think I'll need to change my style too much. I'll have to try to fit into their system, but that's really the only change I'll need to make. I don't see any problems for me to fit into other offenses, but I would probably be more likely to get picked by a West Coast offensive team. Do you prefer to run out of the I-formation, the one-back set or the pro set? -- Dewitt Newton, Philadelphia I don't prefer any of those formations more than the other. I played in all three sets in college and did pretty well in all of them. Playing for a coach like coach [David] Cutcliffe, who runs lots of different sets, helped me. I learned so much being around his offense. What interests you more: being selected high and getting more money, or going into the right situation? -- Roger, Hurst, Texas The right situation is preferable to me. The money will come eventually if you perform to the best of your abilities. If you get into the right situation right out of the draft, then obviously the money will even come faster. The chance to play for an established team would work better for a younger guy. Are you going to be afraid to stand up and maybe hurt someone's feelings in the locker room, or are you gonna sit back and let whatever happens happen? -- Hotshot, Goldsboro, N.C. I try not to get to the point where I have to get up in somebody's face, but it has occurred. I only do that when there is no other choice left. You don't want anybody to be disruptive to the team. I'll lead by example and just try to show my leadership qualities as a player. That's just the only thing that I can probably do as a rookie. It will probably be hard to get that respect as a rookie. What kind of mental attitude do you feel is necessary to be successful at the pro level? Is a certain cockiness better than a little humility? - Michael Lawrence, Auckland, New Zealand I have a bit of a swagger when I'm in the game, but I'm a pretty modest guy. The game of football is really just a physical war out there, so I think you need to have a bit of an attitude. How could you complement Tim Couch and Kevin Johnson if you are selected by the Browns? -- Matt, Norwalk, Ohio I think I would relieve so much more pressure off of those guys. They would be that much more successful with a strong running game. And I would be able to help their passing game as well. I think I'd fit into their offense very well. I know that No. 2 has been your favorite jersey number to wear when you were younger, but running backs can't wear that number in the NFL. So if No. 22, your college jersey number, is taken with your pro team, what other numbers would you like to have? -- Robby Lawler, Arcata, Calif. I would have to think about it. I would try to buy it, first of all. I don't know how much I'd be willing to pay for that number, but I would definitely go after it. That number is just something special that I've always had. My situation is kind of unique because my nickname is based off that number. I would definitely try to bribe people and I'm crossing my fingers that I'll go to a team where that number is available. How much interest did the Chiefs show in you? Would you love playing your whole career for our football-crazy town? -- Unknown, Kansas City I would love to play in a football-crazy town like Kansas City. The Chiefs were very much interested in me during my visit. The fact that they don't have a starting quarterback right now is OK, because with the system they are going to run I think it will be a fun system for the quarterbacks, running backs and receivers. They are going to have a pretty wide-open offense like Vermeil used to run in St. Louis.
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