METAIRIE ― Deuce McAllister wasn’t in the Saints’ Metairie locker room Monday morning, less than 24 hours after New Orleans defeated San Francisco 31-17.

Well, physically at least.

His presence was more than felt.

Photo by Bill Haber / The Associated Press

Deuce McAllister (26) dives over several San Francisco 49ers during the Saints 31-17 win. McAllister finished with 73 yards in his first game back since tearing the ACL in his left knee during the 2007 season.

“This is the people’s champ,” fullback Mike Karney said.

Indeed, he’s also the champ of the team and pretty much anyone who meets him.

“I’m a little biased, but that’s my guy. I’m happy for him,” Karney said. “I’m excited for him. I’m proud of him. I just look forward to him doing more.”

Need more evidence?

“Great character guy.  Not just good, great,” defensive end Charles Grant said. “He’s one of those guys that if I have some more kids, I would say I’d name my son after him.

“That’s what kind of guy he is. He’s a standup guy. You’ve got to respect him. I don’t know too many people that don’t respect him.”

Still not sold on the affect McAllister has on his teammates?

Listen to linebacker Scott Fujita and his memory of the running back’s first run of the 2008 season. “Just to be able to pick up the short, to be able to carry the whole defense for a couple of extra yards – he’s so impressive,” Fujita said.

Indeed, as Karney was jumping up and down on the sideline, chanting “Deuuuuce!” along with the fans, and as teammates stood on the sideline and watched the offense play, it became quite apparent how much McAllister means to the New Orleans Saints.

Just check out the play-by-play of New Orleans’ final drive of the game, one that started with the Saints’ leading 28-17 and 4:08 on the clock:

• D. McAllister right guard for 2 yards;
• D. McAllister left guard for 6 yards;
• D. McAllister left tackles for 2 yards;
• D. McAllister right guard for 2 yards;
• D. McAllister right guard for 5 yards;
• D. McAllister right guard for no gain.

In all, McAllister’s 17 yards ate up 3 minutes, 36 seconds off the clock, leaving only 27 seconds left to play by the time San Francisco got the ball back.

AP Photo / Bill Haber

New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister (26) receives congratulations from his teammates near the end of their NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008. The Saints defeated the 49ers 31-27. in the background is running back Reggie Bush.

“He wears them (the defense) out,” said Karney, who missed Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. “He beats them up. He makes them tired. Those guys don’t want to see him that late in the game. I’ve been out there enough times with him and in those moments, their will is done.

“He kills their will.”

But it was what McAllister did in the opening 30 minutes that sold head coach Sean Payton on putting the game on the running back’s shoulders during crunch time.

McAllister had 35 yards and a 4.4 yard per carry average at the break, all coming on tough carries, none more so than a 5-yard gain in the first quarter. He was hit for what would have been a yard gain, but by churning his legs and continuing to push, he finished with the five.

“I thought in the first half, all of us were anxious to see how he was going to do,” Payton said. “He had the one run that looked like it was a gain of two and all of a sudden, there’s this big mosh that moves forward for three yards.”

Payton made the decision to introduce McAllister with the starting offense, eschewing league norms and announcing 12 players instead of the normal 11. And at that moment that the public address announcer uttered the word McAllister, those in the Dome nearly exploded with cheer.

Moments later when he got that first carry – the impressive 5-yarder – they cheered even louder.

“He can lift more than just the team,” Grant said. “He can lift the fans in the stands, too. You heard them, didn’t you? It like that. It was wonderful.”

McAllister likely agrees. But on Monday, he was taking a much deserved day off.