METAIRIE, La. — With Deuce McAllister no longer around, the New Orleans Saints are looking for a bruising running back to lead the way in key short-yardage situations.

Mike Bell, Lynell Hamilton, P.J. Hill and Herb Donaldson are vying for one or possibly two roster spots to replace McAllister, the Saints’ career rushing leader who was released after last season.
“I’m anxious to see all of those guys,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “It’s hard to get them all work. You’ll see in practice that we’ll start clumping two or three of them in a nine-on-seven and not try to give each one of them two reps but try to give one of them a little bit more work. That gives us a better chance to look at those players.”
Bell likely holds the edge for at least the third spot because he is No. 3 on the depth chart. He signed with the Saints as a free agent in November after being waived by the Texans in August.
Bell entered the league as an undrafted free agent with Denver in 2006 and led the Broncos with 677 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. However, Bell has rushed for 45 yards and one touchdown total the past two seasons.
Payton has been praising Bell throughout the offseason for his conditioning and work ethic. After quick success in Denver, Bell has learned to take nothing for granted.
“I’m a bottom feeder just trying to make this team,” Bell said. “That’s how I’m going to play no matter what I’m always going to play like a bottom feeder. Right now I don’t have a role yet because I haven’t proven myself.
“I think I became too content in Denver. They named me the starter and I ran for all those yards and led the team in touchdowns. I felt like almost that I was owed something, but in all actuality, it’s a privilege to play in the NFL so you should do whatever they ask you to do.”
Like Bell and Pierre Thomas, the other three young backs on the roster signed with the Saints as rookie free agents.
Hamilton spent much of last season on the Saints practice squad, while Hill and Donaldson signed with the team after not being drafted.
The Saints said during the draft that they tried to trade back into the first round to acquire Ohio State tailback Beanie Wells. The deal never came to fruition and the Saints opted not to select a running back.
After the draft, Payton said the answer to his running back depth issues could already be on the roster. Hamilton took that sentiment into the offseason programs and training camp.
“It helps me feel more confident in filling a role here and more comfortable within the offense,” Hamilton said. “When you’re a rookie, your eyes are so far wide open because you really don’t know what to expect. That’s different for me now. It helps with confidence because the staff on its own already felt we had the guys already here in the building.”
Hill (5-feet-10, 218 pounds) had a productive career with 3,942 yards rushing and 42 touchdowns at Wisconsin. Donaldson (5-10, 226) finished with 4,746 yards rushing and 50 TDs at Western Michigan.
Both may have uphill climbs to make the team, but seeing Thomas already on the roster, they both understand Payton will go by what he sees on the field and not where they were or weren’t drafted.
“It’s football in general,” Hill said. “There’s always somebody ahead of you on the depth chart and there’s always somebody behind you looking to take that main person’s spot. But it’s all about what you do on the football field. Learn everything when you’re watching film and take advantage of when you play to show the coaches they can trust you.”