Daily Craig: Arian and Earl

When Arian Foster got cut yesterday I immediately remembered the day in 1984 Ladd Herzeg, the Oilers wacko G.M., traded Earl to New Orleans. At least the Oilers got something for 34.  A first round pick from the Saints for 1985. I hurried to New Orleans with a ch. 2 photographer to cover the unthinkable. Earl in a Saints practice jersey. Bum was the Saints coach and he had the understatement of the deal. "I always thought Earl was a good back". Yea, he was.

I got to the Saints practice facility just about 10 minutes before Earl trotted out of the locker room. He was wearing a black jersey with no. 35 on it.  34 had already been taken. He looked uncomfortable. This was the guy who came to ch. 2 the day after my son was born. He brought a football signed, " To Cody, peace and love, Earl Campbell." Earl played for NEW ORLEANS three days later. He played THE ENTIRE 1985 season but scored just one TOUCHDOWN . George Rogers was the RB the Saints had ahead of Earl.

The Oilers had fired Bum and traded Earl. Who could blame any one for not liking Bud Adams. 10 YEARS LATER it got worse as the team left town. Arian got one more year in Houston than Earl. I have a feeling he'll stay in TEXAS and do very well for Dallas. Or maybe he helps THE SAINTS running game. Arian was a character, but I liked him. I remember doing an interview with him in 2009. He was just coming off practice squad. Another reporter asked me who he was and I told the truth. I wasn't quite sure. I am still not sure, BUT I SAW every one of his 54 touchdowns in a TEXANS UNIFORM.