Alvin Kamara and a couple of famous friends working hard in Liberia

Alvin Kamara and close friends Mark Ingram II, Cameron Jordan started their offseason with some hard work volunteering in Liberia:

Shoutout to Alvin Kamara. The New Orleans Saints running back started his offseason overseas, visiting his grandparents and extended family in his mother’s home country of Liberia. And while he was there, Kamara met with local government officials and community organizers to lend a hand however he could, including the mayor of Monrovia, the nation’s capital.

And he had some big help from a couple of famous friends. Kamara’s teammate Cameron Jordan says he invited himself to fly into Monrovia and join Kamara in volunteering with the sanitation department to help clean up the streets. Their former teammate and close friend Mark Ingram II made the trip, too. All three Pro Bowlers picked up shovels, slung on bright green vests, and got to work.

It’s a really great gesture from all of them. Ingram was a key influence in the Saints locker room as a team leader and mentor for Kamara, and Jordan has always valued community outreach and charity work. Both Jordan and Ingram volunteered for USO Tours during their decade-plus in the NFL. Grabbing some work gloves and choosing to leave a place better than they found it was an easy decision. Good for them providing a great example.

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Updated Saints salary cap space after extending Tyrann Mathieu

How did extending Tyrann Mathieu and tendering Rashid Shaheed impact the Saints’ salary cap? Here’s an update on how much more space New Orleans must clear:

It isn’t really accurate to say we’re updating the New Orleans Saints’ salary cap space situation — the team doesn’t have any space under the cap right now because they’re still over the cap by about $10.7 million. But a couple of recent moves have changed the situation, so let’s take stock of where things currently stand.

Per Over The Cap’s experts, the Saints are currently in the red by an estimated $10,602,3364. Now that only reflects the information and roster moves which have been made publicly available. It’s very possible that the Saints have already checked all their boxes and reached cap compliance without leaking anything to the media. It’s not like they’re frantically working to beat the deadline (next Wednesday at 3 p.m. CT).

And two recent moves changed that projection. The Saints signed starting safety Tyrann Mathieu to a new two-year contract valued at $13.5 million, with a salary cap hit of just $5,567,000 for 2024. That pushed them down to a nearly-level $10.5 million level over the spending limit.

But another shoe dropped when the Saints tendered Pro Bowl returns specialist Rashid Shaheed, an exclusive rights free agent. That costs $985,000 against the cap. Because only the top 51 cap hits count on the books at this time of the year, Shaheed pushed a lesser-valued contract of $795,000 (there’s six different players all carrying that number) beneath the threshold. So the true cost to the cap was only $190,000, meaning the Saints are in the red by $10,792,634.

At least at the time of writing. More moves are on the way. Obvious dominoes yet to fall include cap hits for right tackle Ryan Ramczyk ($27 million), running back Alvin Kamara ($18.7 million), linebacker Demario Davis ($18.1 million) and do-it-all weapon Taysom Hill ($15.7 million). There are other levers the Saints can pull if they really want to max out their cap resources, but those are the big ones to watch.

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Alvin Kamara suggested as a trade candidate during free agency

Alvin Kamara has been called a cap casualty candidate and trade candidate this offseason, but he is a part of the Saints’ 2024 plan:

Alvin Kamara is under siege. Some people want him out of New Orleans. We’ve seen the New Orleans Saints running back suggested as a trade piece to help an AFC contender take down the Kansas City Chiefs, but that was fantasy.

Kamara has more seriously been suggested as a potential salary cap casualty, and the team does need to figure out a solution for the challenges posed by his contract. Now, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport sees Kamara as a surprise trade candidate, writing:

Kamara is coming off a season in which he set a new career low in scrimmage yards. In two of the past three seasons, Kamara has failed to gain four yards per carry. New Orleans spent a Day 2 pick last year on Kendre Miller—ostensibly as Kamara’s successor. And Kamara has reached the point in his career where running backs generally begin to decline.

It’s fully understandable why people would feel New Orleans should move on from Kamara. Most teams are ready to throw away their running backs when they begin to get close to 30 years old. Derrick Henry was released by the Tennessee Titans right after hitting 30. Kendre Miller does seemed poised to replace Kamara if he can stay healthy. Combine the age, drop in production, and heir-apparent on the roster and it’s understandable why Kamara is assumed to be on his way out in New Orleans.

Kamara is still a prominent part of improving the rushing attack. With the introduction of offensive corodinator Klint Kubiak, the Saints running game should be revitalized. Kamara has not been put in a position to succeed over the last couple of seasons. He should and will be given one more season to prove he hasn’t lost it. There isn’t a better system for him to prove that than the Shanahan system Kubiak will be installing.

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These advanced metrics suggest Alvin Kamara has lost a step

These advanced metrics suggest Alvin Kamara has lost a step. Wear and tear has taken a toll on the Saints’ star running back:

It’s been a rough couple of years for Alvin Kamara. Between an offensive line that regressed amid coaching changes and inconsistent-at-best quarterback play, the New Orleans Saints’ star running back has had to do a lot of the work on his own — and, advanced stats suggest, he’s beginning to wear down.

One analyst at Football Insights shared a chart displaying running backs through two metrics over the last two years: yards after contact per carry, and missed tackles per carry. And Kamara wound up in the wrong quadrant. So did his teammate Jamaal Williams. Both of them fell among the league’s least-dynamic running backs after performing poorly in these advanced stats.

It’s no secret that the Saints were less-than-explosive on the ground last year, but the trend goes back further than that. Kamara isn’t breaking tackles and running away from defenders as easily as we saw early in his career. It’s easy to explain when you consider how heavy a workload he’s been asked to shoulder in recent years, compared to the timeshare he enjoyed with Mark Ingram II early on. Wear and tear adds up.

But Kamara remains a big part of the team’s plans on offense, and he figures to be a big beneficiary of Klint Kubiak designing and calling plays rather than Pete Carmichael. Anything Kubiak can do to get Kamara out in space or working behind better blocking will help; giving him a longer runway will let him build up more speed to make a play. It’s not like Kamara is washed up — he still has tremendous lower-body strength and balance through contact, with a keen eye for reading the field to find an open lane. He’s a coveted talent, and the constant trade speculation is proof of it, even if he isn’t the same player he once was. Kubiak’s job is to help revitalize him.

Hopefully it works out. Between Kamara’s recent struggles, Williams’ disappointing performance, and Kendre Miller’s injury history it’s looking like the Saints should invest more resources in the position with an eye on the future. Maybe that means drafting a running back or taking advantage of the loaded free agency class. In an ideal world, Kamara is playing well enough to quiet those concerns. But that isn’t where we’re at right now.

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NFL analyst optimistic Saints running game will step up in 2024

The Saints running game has been disappointing, but there’s optimism Klint Kubiak can get more out of Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and Kendre Miller in 2024:

The New Orleans Saints’ running backs underperformed in 2023, but the talent is still respected by those around the league. With the arrival of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak there is renewed hope for the unit. While many may look at running backs as being on an age limit, NFL.com analyst Kevin Patra still believes Alvin Kamara can be productive at age 29.

Patra says Kubiak will maximize Kamara and actually use Jamaal Williams to his strengths. Patra puts faith in Kubiak’s usage for running plays involving both veterans, writing:

I understand the thought that Kamara could be cut or traded, given his age, contract and waning production. I simply don’t subscribe to the idea. Kamara remains the Saints’ best backfield option. Saints brass is in win-now mode, and Kamara is part of that calculus. I do think Kamara, turning 29 in July, fits well into the type of offense Klint Kubiak will run. Miller deserves more reps in Year 2 after flashing down the stretch. And the Saints actually need to use Williams at the goal line. Of all the frustrating parts of the New Orleans season, the fact that they signed a goal-line TD maker in the offseason and refused to use him in that role was among the top hair-pullers. Made no sense. Hopefully, Kubiak has better designs.

There’s still belief Williams can be valuable to the team despite struggling to find the end zone in 2023. Kendre Miller could be in store for a sophomore surge with better help. It all starts with Alvin Kamara. If he sees a return to form, the Saints’ running game can elevate to join the best in the league.

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Next steps for the Saints after NFL sends 2024 salary cap to the moon

The NFL’s heightened 2024 salary cap brings a big boost for the Saints. They’re a couple of moves away from reaching cap compliance:

The NFL’s heightened 2024 salary cap brings a big boost for the New Orleans Saints. With the cap taking an unprecedented $30 million jump this offseason, the Saints are just a couple of moves away from reaching cap compliance — and then some. They’ll be able to clear enough room to make some noise in free agency and enter the bidding for talented veterans.

With the NFL announcing that this year’s salary cap is set at a record $255.4 million, the experts at Over The Cap estimate the Saints to be in the red by a little over $40 million. That’s less than half of the $83 million hole New Orleans sat in entering the offseason. But there’s more work to be done. Here’s how the Saints can clear their remaining negative cap space and open up more resources to take into free agency:

Saints free agent report card: Was Jamaal Williams a good veteran signing?

We’re kicking off our New Orleans Saints free agent report cards with Jamaal Williams. The veteran running back didn’t meet expectations in 2023:

We’re kicking off our New Orleans Saints free agent report cards with Jamaal Williams. The veteran running back didn’t meet expectations in 2023 after being heralded as an ideal tag-team partner for Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill. Here’s a look back at his first season in New Orleans, his contract status, and what’s next for him:

Bleacher Report suggests a laughable Alvin Kamara trade offer

Bleacher Report suggested a trade sending Alvin Kamara to the Ravens that’s, well, laughable. The Saints would be fools to accept this offer:

Oh, brother. Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay suggested a trade sending New Orleans Saints star running back Alvin Kamara to the Baltimore Ravens that’s, well, laughable. The Saints would be fools to accept this offer:

  • Baltimore gets: Alvin Kamara
  • New Orleans gets: 2024 seventh-round pick (No. 247 overall)

There’s an obvious problem here in the value being exchanged. Kamara may not be the same big-play threat he was earlier in his career, but the Saints are hoping he can turn things around with a new offensive coaching staff and system on top of another year working with Derek Carr, whose tendency to check down quickly after the snap led to a lot of targets going Kamara’s way. A seventh-round pick is ridiculous compensation for No. 41.

But let’s get to the other problem with Bleacher Report’s proposal. Saints fans are better acquainted with salary cap gymnastics than most, so see if you can spot the problem. Here’s what Kay had to say about this trade idea:

The 28-year-old back would be an an ideal buy-low candidate for the Ravens, who could try to capitalize on the Saints’ need to shed salary. The Saints project to be $82.8 million over next year’s cap, but they could save $11.8 million by trading Kamara after June 1.

While NFL teams are allowed to designate up to two releases as a post-June 1 cut each offseason for salary cap purposes, no rule exists for trades. The Saints would have to keep Kamara on their books with an $18.7 million cap hit through free agency in March and the 2024 NFL draft in April before trading Kamara in June to reap those cap benefits — meaning the Ravens would have already spent the seventh-round pick that Bleacher Report says Baltimore should trade to New Orleans, and the Saints would have had to get under the cap without touching Kamara’s contract.

If that’s a typo or some other oversight, then it means they see a 2025 seventh rounder as fair compensation for a five-time Pro Bowl running back, and that’s lubricious. The Saints are going to need to figure out something with Kamara’s contract this year. Whether that means another restructure, a reworking, a pay cut, or something else unknown, they can’t have him counting $18.7 million against the cap. But that doesn’t mean they should let another team take them to the cleaners and trade away a fan-favorite playmaker for so little in return.

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Klint Kubiak-Derrick Foster pairing can maximize Saints’ running backs

The Klint Kubiak-Derrick Foster pairing should ensure Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller’s versatility is maximized in 2024:

As the New Orleans Saints fill out the offensive coaching staff, they have closed in on Derrick Foster as their running backs coach. Foster comes over to New Orleans after three years with the Los Angeles Chargers in the same position. He’ll be working under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and the pairing has the potential to elevate the running backs room.

The versatility of Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller can be maximized by this coaching duo. In Foster’s two years in Los Angeles, running back Austin Ekeler led the league in total touchdowns (rushing and receiving). His tutelage will likely leave a larger impression on Miller as a young player, but Kamara will benefit as well from a coach familiar with using a versatile player, such as Kamara.

Kubiak has a similar level of expertise. He worked with Christian McCaffrey, this year’s leader in touchdowns, on the San Francisco 49ers. Seeing Kyle Shanahan get the most out of McCaffrey’s many talents has to have taught him some things in how to best deploy Kamara.

The combination of Kubiak installing a running back-friendly scheme and familiarity with dual-threat playmakers should help the Saints maximize the talents at the position. Expect more catches and touchdowns for both Kamara and Miller in 2024.

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Dennis Allen issues statement on hiring new OC Klint Kubiak

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen issued a statement on the team hiring its new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak:

The New Orleans Saints have announced that Klint Kubiak will be officially hired as their new offensive coordinator, replacing Pete Carmichael — who had been the longest-tenured OC in the league. But change was needed, and it falls on Kubiak to install a new system that can maximize the talents of players like quarterback Derek Carr, running back Alvin Kamara, and wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.

One person who’s jazzed about the pickup: head coach Dennis Allen, who laid out Kubiak’s qualifications and expectations on Wednesday afternoon.

“We are excited to announce Klint Kubiak as our offensive coordinator,” Allen said in a team statement. “I want to thank the various impressive candidates that we interviewed throughout this process. Klint has done an excellent job in a variety of roles in ten years in the NFL and has valuable play-calling experience. He has played an important role in the growth of many players throughout his career, starting with the quarterback position. I look forward to us getting to work as we form our offensive staff and to see Klint lead that group, play a pivotal role in the development of our players on offense and maximize our strengths on offense.”

The Saints met with at least eleven different candidates before selecting Kubiak for the job — some of their first choices were hired by other teams, but their interest in Kubiak started early, and he chose New Orleans over some other opportunities. It’s clear that Allen has confidence Kubiak can modernize their offense and compete each week.

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