The Facts: HC Sean Payton said McAllister was signed to lead the team out onto the field and serve as a captain, but not to play in Saturday's playoff opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

Diehards Line:McAllister, who has not been with a team since the Saints released him in February, isn't ready to jump back into the action, but his presence will be a motivating factor. Payton showed the players a breakdown of McAllister's career highlights during Friday's video presentation -- including his outstanding performance in the 2006-07 divisional playoff round victory over Philadelphia. "It was a good deal. It was awesome," Payton said of the team's response to McAllister's return. "And it was fitting because of the way he had played in the divisional round for us three years ago."