The Saints have signed 27-year old fullback Zak Keasey to a 1-year deal.  Keasey did not play last season.  He last played in 2008 with the 49ers.  Keasey has played in 19 games in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 2 times for 4 yards (2.0 ypc).  Keasey has also caught 3 passes for 25 yards (8.3 avg) in his NFL career.  He also has 19 career tackles in his NFL career as he is a solid special teams player.  Keasey will have a uphill battle in trying to make the Saints’ roster in 2010 but his special teams ability will help his cause.

The Saints have signed their all-time leading rusher, 31-year old RB Deuce McAllister to a contract through the end of the playoffs.  With Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell a little dinged up I really like this signing.  McAllister palyed in 13 games for the Saints last season and he carried the ball 107 times for 418 yards (3.9 ypc) with 5 TD runs and he also caught 18 passes for 128 yards (7.1 avg) with a TD grab.  McAllister has now played in 97 games in his career with the Saints and he has carried the ball 1,429 times for 6,096 yards (4.3 ypc) with 49 TD runs (most in team history).  He has also caught 234 passes for 1,720 yards (7.4 avg) with 5 TD grabs for the Saints.  McAllister should be well rested if the Saints need him.  The Saints signed McAllister to replace DT Rodney Leisle who has been placed on Injured Reserve with a knee injury.

UPDATE:  Deuce McAllister has decided to retire after serving as a undressed team captain in last week’s game.  He will be replaced on the roster by DT Marlon Favorite.

The Saints are bringing back 28-year old Rodney Leslie as they have signed him to a contract.  Leslie has not played in the NFL since 2006 with the Saints.  He has played in 16 games and made 17 tackles in his NFL career (all with the Saints).  This was a depth signing for the Saints and little more.

The Saints have signed 33-year old CB Mike McKenzie.  McKenzie played in 7 games for the Saints last season and he had 22 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 3 passes defensed and 1 interception.  McKenzie has now played in 133 games in his major league career and he has 470 tackles, 120 passes defensed, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 27 interceptions (4 returned for TDs).  This was a good move for the Saints who really have been ransacked by injuries in the secondary.

The Saints have signed 32-year old CB Chris McAlister.  McAlister played in 6 games for the Ravens last season and he made 16 tackles, defensed 7 passes and he had 3 interceptions.  He has now played in 135 games in his NFL career and he has made 427 tackles, defensed 137 passes, forced 1 fumble and he has 26 interceptions (five of which he has returned for TDs).  The Saints hope that McAlister still has something left so that he can help cover for Tracy Porter’s injury.