Payton Says Kamara Won’t Carry The Load
May 13th, 2018
Sean Peyton says he has no plans for radical change against the Bucs.
In 119 days, the Bucs will kick off the 2018 season against a Saints team missing its top running back.
(No, it’s never too early to talk opening day.)
Last week, the glorious news came that Saints Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram will miss the first four games of the season because of a performance-enhancing drug suspension.
The quick assumption by most fans, not Joe, was that meant 2017 rookie stud and Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara would just pick up the slack. But it’s a common misconception among fans that Kamara had a lot of carries last year and proved he can pound the rock with the best of them.
Kamara averaged less than eight carries per game and never carried the rock more than 12 times on a Sunday.
Yesterday, Peyton and Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas insisted that won’t change, via NFL.com.
“The mistake would be that Alvin gets 15 more carries and that’s not the direction we would expect to go,” coach Sean Payton said Saturday at the team’s rookie minicamp. “I don’t think that is wise.”
Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas echoed Payton on the dangers of projecting more carries for Kamara during the first four games of the season.
“It’s almost a number that you want to get to that he’s still getting the touches that he’s had in the past. But maybe they occur through two, three or four more carries, and two or three less receptions. By all means, we don’t want to sit there and run the tread off the back with him early in the season because this thing it’s a marathon, 16 games. Four games there, I think we’ve got the talent — offensively and in the backfield — to go ahead and push through this little process.”
Quite a chess match ahead for the coaching staffs.
Joe wasn’t dissing Kamara, it’s just hard to believe the Saints would want to mess with him given what an electric threat he was in the passing game (81 catches) and in part-time duty carrying the football.
In two games against Tampa Bay last year, Kamara combined to rush for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.
May 13th, 2018 at 10:44 am
I still hope we don’t drink the kook aid, memories of Alfred Blue, Adrian Peterson, Case Kenum and Derek Anderson, i.e., back ups
May 13th, 2018 at 10:45 am
That’s too bad, the more he carries the load the less likely he is to return kicks. The Bucs special teams unit had to be excited about Ingram being suspended just for that reason.
May 13th, 2018 at 10:53 am
Happy Mother’s day LifeOfaBucsFan!!
May 13th, 2018 at 11:29 am
I looked up Kamara carry numbers the other day when someone was comparing him to ROJO. Varied from 4-12 max. Jones should get 14-22. Jones is no James Wilder but far from Kamera in terms from scrimmage carries. Payton is smart not to wear the guy down for the season in the first quarter.
May 13th, 2018 at 11:37 am
Screw Sean Peyton. Hate that dude.
I’m hoping that not only is Davenport a total head case bust – but that the Saints wind up having paid a top 10 pick (next year) + this year’s 1st for said bust.
This big move up for Davenport could really come back to haunt the Saints as they WILL be needing a QB very soon and don’t even have a 1st rd pick again until 2020. Brees turns 40 in 8 months. This may well be his last year. Perhaps 1 more. Then New Orleans is screwed…
Muwhahahahah
May 13th, 2018 at 11:54 am
What other RBs do they have on the roster rn?
May 13th, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Absolutely…means nothing. In Buc History, there have been a truckload of teams who have kicked out butts without,,starting RB’s, Qb’s Receivers..you name it So it matters not even if the head groundskeeper starts for the Saints…they will be ready come opening day. WE..are the ones who have to be ready going into hostile territory. When you fight another man in his house..You’d better be firing on ALL cylinders and then some.
May 13th, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Sean Payton said with a wink. What he didn’t tell you is that Kamara will get 7 more carries and 7 more touches in the passing game.
If our Linebackers aren’t on their A game, it’s going to be a long day.
May 13th, 2018 at 12:49 pm
What matters more is how these new Dlinemen play run defense. Lets hope Dirk holds a real training camp where blood and sweat is spilled. If this team doesnt toughen up it wont matter who the opposing RBs are. As Rrsrq pointed out, this team got smoked by starters and backups last year. Tighten up the cushion while we’re at it too Smitty.
May 13th, 2018 at 12:59 pm
The Saints draft leads me to believe they think highly of QB Tasom Hill the BYU kid posted a 4.45 forty time with a 38.5 vertical at his proday.
I like the Rb they drafted in the 6th round Boston Scott from La Tect. PFF had him ranked 3rd Rb. Only behind Barkley and ROJO. I bet the Bucs get a bunch of chances to show off their new run stuffing defense against him game 1.
May 13th, 2018 at 4:12 pm
I think what will be interesting will be to see if Smith will designate a certain position to spy and cover Kamara. Will Smith bring a safety down or use a LB? Or will he rotate different positions? Personally I like to designate a spy. I feel when you have a certain position playing a specified player at all times they are more focused on taking them out of the game offensively. If we matchup well Kamara could be a non issue.
May 13th, 2018 at 7:19 pm
As if Coach Payton would tip his hand off to any opponents on how he will utilize any player game day. #Smokescreen.
May 13th, 2018 at 7:53 pm
You can believe the absolute opposite of everything he says.
May 13th, 2018 at 9:47 pm
Just don’t bring AD back. He’ll go off for 150 and two scores against us, then do nothing for the rest of the season.