WHO DAT, NATION!

Saints tap 'Threaux-Backs'

By Mickey Hanning

The Levee droppin' the deuce writer

Due to the inspirational success of signing Deuce McAllister before the team’s first playoff game, the Saints have signed a slew of former stars to the active roster for the Super Bowl.

Noting the city’s – and Reggie Bush’s – fervor over signing “Deuce” to the active roster, general manager Mickey Loomis said he and owner Tom Benson “are planning to add enough former players to win the game on emotion even before the coin flip.”

“We’re calling them the ‘Threaux-Backs’ and they’re going to be Saint-sational!” Loomis said.

Loomis’ first phone call was to Archie Manning, who agreed to again don the black-and-gold despite facing his own son, Peyton, against the Indianapolis Colts in the final game.

“I had no idea he’d be so receptive,” Loomis said excitedly. “Archie’s often said he’d pull for Peyton against the Saints if that were the case, and that’s totally understandable, but we promised Archie he could play at least a quarter and he got all giddy!

“Archie said he’d play because Peyton’s already won a Super Bowl, Eli (Archie’s youngest son) has won a Super Bowl and that at age 60 he’s not getting any younger,” Loomis said. “Actually, Archie said it wasn’t that long ago that he thought he’d have to keep in game shape well into his 90s to have this opportunity with the Saints.”

Archie Manning would not comment, citing the time it was taking to have digital game films transferred to black-and-white celluloid, which is his preference.

Despite retiring in 2006 and being a year away from being a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, 11-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Willie Roaf, who starred at Louisiana Tech and was drafted by and played nine season for the Saints, said he was ready to play.

“Anybody can get into the Hall of Fame,” Roaf said. “Well, except Saints because I’d be the first one, but this is the Saints winning a Super Bowl. No comparison. I’ll just wait another five years (the required length of time from retirement before a player can be considered for the Hall of Fame).”

Roaf is expected to school Saints left tackle Jermon Bushrod, who has played well this season after being thrust into the lineup after the season-ending injury to Jammal Brown.

Upon hearing that Roaf would play and bypass Hall of Fame eligibility for five years, former Saints star kicker Morten Andersen, who retired from the NFL in 2007 after 25-year career, voided the contract he signed to play with the Saints.

Anderson, who after 13 stellar seasons with the Saints played 12 more years, including two times with archrival Atlanta, has been enjoying retirement in his native Denmark fronting a tribute band to “Aqua,” the Danish dance-pop group whose biggest hit was 1997’s “Barbie Girl.”

“Besides,” Andersen said. “I’ve got 50 pounds on Willie, so I’m letting go, finally.”

With the NFL often called a “Copycat League,” where other teams scramble to pick up on the success of other teams, the San Diego Chargers hoped to jump on the Saints’ momentum of signing McAllister by trying to lure Chuck Muncie and Wes Chandler, who played for both teams.

It was not known how much more the Chargers needed those players than the Saints until the 13-3 Chargers lost their first playoff game to the underdog New York Jets.

Chandler is now expected to help bolster a lineup tweaked by the ankle injury to wide receiver Robert Meacham, and Muncie rolled his eyes and left a news conference when asked if he would pass the mandated drug test.

Loomis said wide receiver Joe Horn refused to return upon hearing that the team called all-time Saints receptions leader Eric Martin before him.

“Man, Joe Horn is still a premier receiver in this league,” said Joe Horn, who since retiring has had his first name changed legally to ‘Joe Horn.’ “And Joe Horn deserves this opportunity.”

Loomis said he was sad that Horn still may feel animosity toward the Saints, but echoed some fans’ concern that Horn might pretend to make a cell-phone call during the Super Bowl and cost the team a 15-yard penalty.

Loomis said he consulted closely with Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams throughout his Threaux-Back planning, and several Dome Patrol legends were working out with the team in anticipation of contracts.

Ricky Jackson, Pat Swilling and Vaughan Johnson were spotted this week at the Metairie practice facility.

Loomis said he is aggressively working to sign Saints’ legend Sam Mills, who technically is under contract with the Carolina Panthers despite the sadness of being deceased.

The news of the Threaux-Backs has electrified the city.

“I’ve had about 13 people come in here asking for high-top fades this week,” said Lucien Williams of El Dub’s Barber Shop. “Do you know how hard that is to do when a kid’s got dreads?”

In other signings, Sammy Knight rejoins the squad in the safety position next to Darren Sharper. Mike McKenzie and Jonnie Poe, who had 17 interceptions in the 1980s for the Saints, will round out the secondary.

To bolster the defensive line, Loomis inked Wayne Martin, Joe Johnson and Frank Warren.

Mel Gray will spell Reggie Bush on returns when necessary, Michael Lewis will handle kickoffs, and Guido Merkins will do just about anything he can.

“Guido’s been working out with the first team on punt coverage (gunner) and field goal (holder), second-team offense (QB/WR/HB) and third-team defense (CB/SF),” said Loomis. “That guy is still amazing.”

Saintsations coordinator Lesslee Fitzmorris wasn’t ready to let the Saints have all the fun.

“We stay in touch with our alumnae,” she commented. “So, we’ll have a few cougars out there who’ve stayed in nip-tuck, er, tip-top shape.”

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