re: Alvin Kamara Leaves Mandatory Mini-Camp

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It’s also an assumption that the running game won’t get better without him. Weird how that’s ok to do though.

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You actually think we’re a better running team with this oline this season without Kamara? Go ahead I want you to state that on the record and stand by it.

Last season showed we are not better without him- that’s basically been shown his whole Saints career.

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Is that what I said? No, not it isn’t.

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But you’re saying you can’t make that assumption. When facts have shown from previous season, from last year, that we’re worse without him. I think thats a plausible assumption to make for this season.

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I will say that his production from the last 2 years is hardly irreplaceable.

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Ok sure. Who will replace that production this year? Jamal or Miller? You actually believe they can replace that production?

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683 and 5? Yeah I think either of those guys can produce that if given the chance. Those aren’t exactly daunting numbers. As far as his receiving, it may be a net positive to not have Carr looking to dump it off every play.

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Yeah they were given chances last year and were either hurt and didn’t produce when they played.

Your excuse that its a net postive not to have Kamara receiving threat is ridiculously laughable and downright silly.

Again I don’t think your argument is off if you’re applying it to future years. But thinking you’ll be fine without Kamara this year based on who our QB is, our oline and current RB depth is not at all realistic.

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Like I said, you don’t overpay an aging running back in the Saints’ situation. He wants an extension, which is fine. He can get it elsewhere.

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The difference between 2 wins would have put us in the playoffs last year. Do you think this organization from ownership down to players- in how they’ve acted all offseason- is not all about winning this year?

You’re again assuming we can only get 5-7 wins. I can promise you the Saints are not thinking that.

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This would be why we have one of the oldest rosters in the NFL, with multiple absurd contracts. I was in the “championship window” camp until this year. This team isn’t winning anything, so I say blow it up while you can.

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Completely agree here. But Im also of the perspective as a fan if you’re about winning THIS season- then you do whatever you can to do that.

I understand the point but Ekeler was playing on injured ankles in a contract year. The RB drop off almost always coincides with injuries

It’s difficult to discern if Kamara lost a step or the offense has just been bad. I would not extend him but no one can say with confidence that he’s lost a step running behind that OL and playing with backup calibre QBs. They should’ve sold him two years ago - that’s the real mistaken

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IMO, roll the dice w him in this new offense and move him at the trade deadline.

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Would be my approach with Lattimore and Kamara

Both positions are better with them on the team this year, both have rookie contract early pick investments that could end up being capable of replacing their role not necessarily prime production

See if Miller and Kool-aid are future players for us and ready

See where the season is going based on the the deadline. IDC if the season is tough to start if your below 500 at the deadline you need to be selling

If your at 500 or better you can ride it out. However if your not...put good tape out there on both and let injuries take effect and see what you can get

Shedding salary, getting compensation back, is exactly what this team needs vs paying time and a half for half the store to operate on a 40 hour work week

Even a favorable Kamara extension is a bad investment for the Saints. His last gasp of leverage with us is right now. I'm not saying he is done or is not still capable of a Top 10 RB season. I'm saying at 29 going on several underwhelming years in a row....the supporting cast hasn't gotten better. We will lean on him and use him more effectively this year but production and talent can be found at RB in many ways. RBBC, Draft picks, and cost controlled FA...betting on Kamara to be worth even 9 million a year in 1-2 years with his contract on the books for another 2,3,4,5 years depending on cap gymnastics is stupid

This should be his last year here no matter what

Disagree w Lattimore. I think you need to try to love him before preseason or roll w him all year. He has the huge bonus coming due right before the season starts. Once you pay that, you’ve basically covered his salary for the year; so no real season.

Unless a team decides to overpay

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Most runs vs. 8 or more defenders in the box, last three years (red zone excluded):

Derrick Henry 373
Alvin Kamara 226
Najee Harris 221
Christian McCaffrey 221
Josh Jacobs 208
Nick Chubb 208

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Last season, the Saints averaged 1.0 yards before contact on outside zone plays, with Kamara specifically averaging 1.1. The 49ers averaged 1.8 yards before contact on those plays, with McCaffrey hitting 2.1.

Overall, Kamara averaged 1.4 yards before contact per carry. That number was at 1.3 in 2022 and 0.9 in 2021. When the running back was at his best in 2017 and 2020, those figures came in at 2 and 2.2.

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Kamara is not a guy you can just run up into the guard’s arse and expect something to happen. He needs a little space to create

didn’t see that autocorrect, and not fixing it