Category: Alvin Kamara

Alvin Kamara has now joined the NFL’s 6,000 Yards Club

Alvin Kamara has now joined the NFL’s 6,000 Yards Club. He’s gaining ground on Mark Ingram and Deuce McAllister:

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has officially joined the NFL’s 6,000 yards club with his standout performance in the 44-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Kamara finished with 2 catches for 65 yards and 1 touchdown, also recording 115 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 20 carries. It was also his seventh career game with 3 touchdowns or more.

He is now the third player in franchise history to cross the 6,000-yard mark with a total of 6,027 yards, joining the likes of Deuce McAllister (6,096) and Mark Ingram II (6,500). He’s on track to pass both of those names this season if he can gain at least 474 more yards. That’s an average of 31.6 yards per game over the next 15 matchups, but he’s totaled 198 rushing yards through the first two weeks. He’ll get there by Week 7 at his current pace.

So far this season, Kamara totals 35 carries for 198 yards with 4 touchdowns. Known for his versatility, he’s also been a force out of the backfield in the passing game, catching all 7 passes he has been targeted on this season for 92 yards with 1 touchdown.

Kamara and the Saints will look to keep up the same level of success as they return home to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 22 at Noon CT.

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Alvin Kamara caught the longest reception of his career for a TD

Alvin Kamara’s 57-yard touchdown reception against the Cowboys was the longest catch of his NFL career:

https://twitter.com/Saints/status/1835375925136851416

The New Orleans Saints offense thinks it’s 2020. The Saints just dialed up a screen pass to Alvin Kamara for a 57-yard touchdown reception. Thank you, Klint Kubiak.

This play was the longest reception of Kamara’s career and his second-longest play from scrimmage. Kamara wasn’t the only player to register the longest catch of his career versus the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Derek Carr also dropped a 70-yard bomb to Rashid Shaheed in the first quarter.

Kamara took the screen pass from inside Saints territory and was faced with open grass. It was a genuinely perfectly executed screen pass as all of the defensive linemen ran upfield. Kamara then outran any pursuit from Cowboys defenders.

The reception was Kamara’s second touchdown of the game. The running back converted an easy rushing touchdown for the first score of the day. Kamara later added another rushing touchdown in the second quarter to bring his total to three in the first half.

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Bobby Hebert calls Alvin Kamara a ‘young 29’ for a running back

Former Saints QB and WWL radio host Bobby Hebert still sees a burst in Alvin Kamara despite his age, calling him ‘a young 29’

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback and now WWL radio host, Bobby Hebert, had high praise for Alvin Kamara during the coaches show with Dennis Allen. Hebert called the running back “a young 29.”

At running back, the age of 30 is that point where people begin to mentally write off players. Hebert cautioned fans against doing that with Kamara. He still sees a player with a lot in the tank: “I’ve seen the burst in OTA’s in minicamps. I still think he can hit it and get it.”

Sunday’s performance backs that statement. Kamara ran for an easy 83 yards and didn’t run the ball in the final 18 minutes. It was still more yards than he ran for in a single game a year ago.

And when you look at how Kamara compares to other running backs who have made high-profile moves in free agency, it’s easy to think he could have a lot left in the tank. Kamara has carried the ball 1,330 times in his 102-game career. Josh Jacobs is catching up to him with 1,321 attempts through his first 74 games. Saquon Barkley is already up to 1,225 carries in just 75 games. Aaron Jones isn’t far behind at 1,191 attempts in 98 games. Derrick Henry is well ahead at 2,043 in 120 games.

Allen saw the same dynamic ability in the running backs room, and praised the offensive line’s performance: “There was a lot said about the offensive line going into the season, and rightfully so. It was a question mark because we had three new starters.”

In Week 1, the unit performed well. Allen has the team at 2.9 yards per carry before contact, first in the NFL. No matter who you play, that will always be a recipe for success.

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Alvin Kamara says he’s grateful for the Saints’ strong fanbase

Alvin Kamara says he’s grateful for the Saints’ strong fanbase: ‘These people love me like I’m family, and I feel the same way’

Alvin Kamara looked like his old self against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The New Orleans Saints running back didn’t just hit paydirt and score a touchdown — he was recognized by the Caesars Superdome gameday ops crew for achieving his fiftieth career game with 100-plus scrimmage yards, trailing only Christian McCaffrey (55) for the most among active players).

Be sure to enjoy it while he’s here. Kamara and the Saints couldn’t reach an agreement on a new deal before his deadline at the start of the season, not wanting contract talks to linger as a distraction into the fall. He’s owed $25 million in 2025 but the Saints can cut him without having to pay a penny of that. There’s no way he plays on that contract.

But Kamara has said before he wants to remain in New Orleans for the rest of his career, and he reiterated that point after Sunday’s big win. Kamara says that when he says he wants to be a Saint for life, he means it. The Who Dat Nation accepting him and his family with open arms is a big reason for that.

“I love this city. I love the fans. I love these people that support me,” Kamara told reporters after the game. “These people love me like I’m family, and I feel the same way.”

Obviously, Kamara continuing to play well in Klint Kubiak’s offense will go a long way towards helping him sign an extension with the Saints in the spring. Gaining confidence in his longevity at a position not known for having many 29-year-old stars could help Mickey Loomis grow more comfortable in meeting his contract terms. And he’s off to a hot start. Kamara ran for 83 yards and gained 27 more as a receiver. Let’s see if he can keep it up through a long 2024 season.

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Report: Alvin Kamara, Saints did not reach a new deal before Week 1 deadline

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Saints didn’t make enough progress on a new deal with Alvin Kamara before Week 1’s deadline:

Alvin Kamara’s contract talks with the New Orleans Saints were a major storyline this summer, but the two sides didn’t make enough progress on a new deal before their Week 1 deadline. Now those conversations are expected to be shelved until 2025, avoiding a distraction during the regular season.

Here’s the latest on Kamara from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler:

I’m told the Saints and running back Alvin Kamara will not be reaching a new contract by Week 1. Kamara missed a minicamp day in June because of lack of progress on a new deal. He has two years left on a deal that pays him $11.8 million in 2024 cash and $25 million in 2025, the latter of which is not tenable for either side. So this could be a situation where Kamara plays the season out, then both sides make a decision on the future. Kamara is set to put up big numbers in Klint Kubiak’s offense, an iteration of the San Francisco system that catapulted Christian McCaffrey into a new stratosphere.

This lines up with what Kamara said last week — he wanted this to be settled, one way or another, before Sept. 8’s kickoff game with the Carolina Panther. That didn’t come to pass. So we’ll have to wait until next spring to learn whether or not Kamara will finish his playing career with the black and gold.

It’s disappointing that things reached this point, but it isn’t surprising. Kamara is a salary cap cuts candidate next year because his $25 million is non-guaranteed. If he doesn’t perform as well as hoped in Kubiak’s system, the Saints can choose to let him go. That’s why he initiated talks to try and negotiate a new deal with enough guarantees to avoid being cut next offseason.

Finding a number that makes sense for both sides is difficult. Kamara hasn’t played well enough in recent years to demand top dollar like McCaffrey, and other older running backs (like Derrick Henry) have had to settle for much less on the open market. At the same time, other star talents he likely feels he compares to are still getting paid (like Saquon Barkley), and clearly he and the Saints failed to meet in the middle.

This now becomes one of the big-ticket items for the Saints to cross off their 2025 offseason to-do list, but we’ll just have to wait and see how they go about it. If this is Kamara’s last run, be sure to enjoy it.

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Tom Brady catches up with Alvin Kamara, Demario Davis before Saints-49ers

Former Patriots QB Tom Brady made the rounds before Sunday’s Saints-49ers preseason game, where he caught up with old rivals like Alvin Kamara and Demario Davis:

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady made the rounds before Sunday’s New Orleans Saints preseason game, where he caught up with old rivals like Alvin Kamara and Demario Davis. Brady is trying his hand in broadcasting with FOX Sports this season so this was San Francisco 49ers matchup was a good rehearsal opportunity, though he won’t make his TV debut until Week 1 in September.

Brady spent 20 years with the Patriots, where he competed often against Davis when the All-Pro linebacker was a member of the New York Jets. Brady also spent a couple seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he lost four games to Davis, Kamara, and their Saints teammates. New Orleans was the only division rival to sweep Brady in a two-game season series in his long NFL career, and they did it twice.

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Manti Te’o knew Alvin Kamara would be special from his first day at minicamp

Manti Te’o knew Alvin Kamara would be special from his first day at minicamp. He had to demonstrate how the then-rookie running back put him in a blender:

Manti Te’o says he knew Alvin Kamara would be special from their first day at minicamp back in 2017. The veteran linebacker had followed his position coach Mike Nolan to join the New Orleans Saints that offseason, and he was eager to show the team what he could do at their first real day of practice.

But Te’o had to shrug when he was matched up with a rookie running back for individual drills, only to feel confused when the offensive coaches started grinning knowingly.

Te’o has joined NFL Network’s Good Morning Football studio show, and this week he had to get up and demonstrate how Kamara put him in a blender. It’s clear that he gained a lot of respect for Kamara after an eye-opening rep at practice.

And Te’o hopes the new offense being called by Klint Kubiak will feature Kamara doing what he does best in situations just like what he described: “He’s somebody that I hope, I hope that the New Orleans Saints don’t use him to block like they were using him last year. That’s the worst thing you do with him. That’s not what he’s going to make the Hall of Fame for. He’s going to make the Hall of Fame for getting the ball.”

Te’o said there’s just one other running back who is as challenging to cover as Kamara — San Francisco 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey. Hopefully Kubiak’s firsthand experience to how McCaffrey has been used applies to his vision for Kamara. Since entering the league in 2017, McCaffrey is the only player in the NFL with more receptions (509) than Kamara (505). Te’o added, “I played against both of them. Them in the backfield, it is impossible to guard them.”

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The run game is Derek Carr’s favorite part of Klint Kubiak’s offense

Of all the new aspects of Klint Kubiak’s offense, Derek Carr’s favorite is how they teach run concepts. That could pave the way for an Alvin Kamara resurgence:

When you’ve been a part of eight offensive schemes since entering the NFL, you tend to think you’ve seen or heard everything there is to see or hear. Derek Carr realized that’s not true by watching Klint Kubiak teach his run schemes at New Orleans Saints training camp.

Kubiak is Carr’s eighth offensive coordinator since his rookie year in 2014 and is showing the veteran new verbiage. “There’s some things in the run game, the way they teach things and say things, that I haven’t heard before.”

Carr pointed out the multitude of offenses he’s been in over his decade long career to emphasize how many different schemes he’s learned. Still, Kubiak’s is unique.

Not only unique, it’s effective. Kubiak’s offense may be easy on the quarterback, but how it impacts the Saints’ running backs is the main event.

“We can all look back to the history of this offense and see guys who ran the ball well,” Carr said. There’s a reason he labeled the run game as his favorite part of the new offense. If guys like Alvin Kamara can meet expectations set for them with fresh play designs setting them up, maybe they can get the Saints were this team wants to go.

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B/R grades Alvin Kamara and Cameron Jordan’s Hall of Fame cases

Do Alvin Kamara or Cameron Jordan have strong enough Hall of Fame resumes? Or Tyrann Matheiu? Bleacher Report shared their take:

The New Orleans Saints have a few players who belong in Hall of Fame conversations: Alvin Kamara, Cameron Jordan and Tyrann Mathieu. Two of the three were listed among the top 30 Hall of Fame resumes among active players.

Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon ranked these 30 players then separated them into categories: locks, on the brink, significant work to do and longshots. Jordan and Kamara found themselves in the latter two categories while Mathieu was left off the list.

Jordan landed in the “significant work to do” section because of his lack of All-Pro seasons and team success. Truthfully, Jordan’s biggest detriment may be his style of play.

He is an All-Decade Team member who does everything, but he’s more of an all-around player than a pass rush star. It has led to Jordan being under-discussed through his career and could lead to him missing the Hall too.

Gagnon has Kamara as a longshot because, “his peak was too short and he likely wasn’t a strong enough pure rusher to make it.” It’s difficult to argue this. Pete Carmichael’s confusing usage of Kamara halted what felt like a possible Hall of Fame career.

Kamara’s recent struggles makes his case very difficult to make, especially at a position that isn’t valued highly in modern football. Surprisingly, Christian McCaffrey didn’t make this list anywhere.

Mathieu should have been on the list. Like Jordan, he was 2010’s All-Decade player. The 11-year veteran is a three-time first-team All-Pro. He also has a Super Bowl on his resume.

Numbers can’t quantify this, but Mathieu is a trailblazer for the versatile defensive back we’re seeing more often in the NFL. His accolades and impact on the game are more than worthy of a spot on this list. Let’s hope he isn’t overlooked when the time comes for voters to discuss his resume.

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Report: New Orleans Saints have an offer on the table for Alvin Kamara

SI’s Albert Breer reports the New Orleans Saints have an offer on the table for Alvin Kamara. Just how far apart are the two sides from cutting a deal?

Many New Orleans Saints fans have been waiting to hear these words. SI.com’s Albert Breer reported that the team has an offer for running back Alvin Kamara on the negotiating table. It’s been previously reported that the two sides aren’t close on a number, but the front office at least has made it known that they’re willing to play ball.

This comes days after Saints general manager Mickey Loomis joined Sirius XM NFL Radio and explained he was optimistic a new deal would be completed. The 29-year-old Kamara has said he wants to play for New Orleans for the rest of his career, and Loomis has expressed that the feeling is mutual. Despite seeking a new deal, Kamara has not missed any training camp practices. 

It makes sense that Kamara is seeking a new deal. He’s likely looking for more long-term security than he’ll get on his current contract, which has no guaranteed money remaining after this year. While he is signed through 2025, New Orleans could save a significant amount of money if he’s released. He doesn’t want to become a salary cap casualty.

There’s a lot of hype surrounding Kamara and the potential resurgence he could find with the Saints’ new offensive staff. Many fans are excited to see what he can do in Klint Kubiak’s system. A running back with the receiving skills of the former Tennessee Volunteer working in an offense better suited to his strengths has the NFL community anticipating a bounce-back year for Kamara. 

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