Signing Chris McAlister, a 10-year NFL veteran who had not played in a game since October 2008 after suffering a season-ending knee injury with the Ravens, rather than picking up a practice-squad player to be a stopgap at corner for a few weeks while other players recovered from injuries struck observers as a peculiar move by the Saints. While some expected the team to simply add a healthy body to fill in, this was a bolder statement. The addition of McAlister, we're told, is an indication that head coach Sean Payton wanted a player who could push CB Randall Gay for the nickel back role and at the very least contribute in the rotation for the rest of the season. McAlister likely will need time to get up to speed, but with starting CBs Jabari Greer (groin) and Tracy Porter (sprained MCL) sidelined, he's going to have to adjust quickly. Payton is forcing backup CBs Gay and rookie Malcolm Jenkins to compete to keep their roles.

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