The New Orleans Saints announced today that they have agreed to terms on a contract with unrestricted free agent RB Aaron Stecker, it was announced today by Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. Terms of the contract agreement were not released.
"We made re-signing Aaron a priority because it takes continuity to build on what we've been able to accomplish on offense the last two seasons," said Loomis. "Aaron showed again last year that he's an important part of everything we do. His teammates elected him to be a captain, he carried the load when we had injuries at running back, and he gives us excellent play on special teams."
Stecker, originally signed in 2004, proved to be invaluable again last season after injuries weakened the running back position late in the year. Named one of the club's five captains prior to the season for his traditionally-excellent special teams play, Stecker posted career-highs with 448 yards rushing, five touchdowns and 36 receptions while starting six contests.
He flourished during a three-game stretch as the primary starter at running back (at Atlanta, Dec. 10-through-Dec. 23 vs. Philadelphia), rushing for 248 yards on 56 carries (4.4 avg.) with a pair of TDs and catching 12 passes for 84 yards over that span. Included in that stretch was a 20-carry, 100-yard day against the Falcons followed by a pair of two-touchdown rushing performances.
Since joining the Saints, Stecker has played in 59 games with 14 starts and has rushed for 1,066 yards on 272 attempts with seven touchdowns. He has added 119 catches for 856 yards and has returned 65 kickoffs for 1,494 yards, including a 98-yard touchdown return in 2004 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Stecker was originally signed by the Saints in March of 2004 after a four-year stint with the Buccaneers, where he played in 55 contests and departed ranked first in team record books in kickoff return yards with 2,376. Stecker took the road less traveled before becoming an established NFL veteran, playing for the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe in 1999 and earning Offensive MVP honors.
