Tag: Latavius Murray

Saints RB Latavius Murray nominated for Salute to Service Award

New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray was nominated for the 2020 Salute to Service Award due to his appreciation for the military.

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New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray was chosen as the team’s nominee for this year’s Salute to Service Award presented by USAA, the NFL announced this week.

Murray’s nomination owes to his continued appreciation for the American military, informed by the experience of his fiancée and childhood friend Shauntay, a 13-year U.S. Navy veteran, and which he’s shown through volunteerism and fundraising to support service members and their families.

Here’s some details about Murray’s nomination, from an NFL press release:

“Murray said he’s been able to see characteristics that help military members accomplish their jobs overlap with elements that help in football. The up-close view of commitment, sacrifice and unselfishness has inspired Murray to do more to support military members and their families. He has participated in a USO Tour to visit troops serving in Germany and Italy. Additionally, Murray become the second NFL player to ever serve as an ambassador for the United Heroes League. United Heroes League provides sports registration fees and equipment for children in military families. Murray said his goals for the ambassador position are to increase awareness, help raise funds and show that the people that are actually involved truly care.”

Finalists for the tenth annual Salute to Service Award will be announced in January, with the winner decided at the upcoming NFL Honors celebration prior to Super Bowl LV. So stay tuned to see if

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Saints RB Latavius Murray’s contract named roster’s best veteran value

ESPN’s Rivers McCown suggested New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray as the best veteran contract value on the roster.

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Salary cap experts, amateur enthusiasts, and amateur experts have each taken aim at the New Orleans Saints for cooking the books year in and year out, but it’s tough to argue with the results. While teams like the 2-6 Atlanta Falcons and 3-4-1 Philadelphia Eagles have followed the 5-2 Saints’ lead with creative contract structuring to maximize spending in recent years, the Saints have worked around the cap while sustaining success on the field.

Part of that is thanks to bargain-bin free agent signings. Adding the right veterans at the right price has done a lot to help the Saints remain competitive in the twilight of Drew Brees’ career.

Rivers McCown for ESPN picked running back Latavius Murray as the Saints’ best veteran contract value, writing:

“Alvin Kamara is a deserving star back who won a big contract extension this season and immediately became the biggest part of the passing game. But the secret of the Saints’ offense is that pretty much any time they’ve turned to Murray over the past two years, there’s been no real drop-off. Murray was 13th in rushing DYAR in 2019 to Kamara’s 19th, and did so with a top-10 rushing DVOA to Kamara’s 15th. Murray is 17th in rushing DVOA to Kamara’s 14th through eight weeks. Murray has even added a 52.2% receiving DVOA in a small sample of 12 pass targets.”

Murray proved last year that he can be much more than Kamara’s backup, having rattled off a couple of 100-yard rushing games when Kamara was sidelined by injuries. And he’s rewarded the Saints when they’ve turned to him again this year, averaging 2.0 yards after contact per carry and converting a first down on 23.9% of his attempts. He’s dependable.

Unfortunately, Murray could be a trade candidate next year. McCown pointed out that his affordable contract and very-efficient stats might make him an enviable asset for other teams in 2021, especially in light of Kamara’s big contract extension.

While the Saints have done a great job of circumnavigating the salary cap, they will be facing their toughest challenge yet once it plummets next offseason after league financial losses due to COVID-19 come into effect. Hopefully Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, salary cap guru Khai Hartley, and their team will be working to mitigate a depressed cap’s impact against the backdrop of a second Super Bowl victory.

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Saints offense playing its best football out of 21 personnel

The New Orleans Saints offense has played like one of the NFL’s best without Michael Thomas, leaning on Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray.

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Which position group has impressed the most for the New Orleans Saints offense? The quarterbacks and wide receivers have had their struggles, while the offensive line and tight ends have been dealt a tough hand with injuries.

On a week-to-week evaluation, it’s hard to argue against running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray as the most consistent performers: they’re each averaging more than 4.0 yards per carry and rank first and third on the team in yards from scrimmage through the first five games. So getting them on the field as often as possible in 21 personnel packages, either together or lined up with fullback Michael Burton, makes sense.

But the Saints have run just 12 percent of their plays out of this package with one tight end, two running backs, and two wide receivers, but they’ve had impressive success. They’re averaging 5.0 yards per carry on 21 rushing attempts and 11.1 yards per pass attempt on 15 throws. It’s a total success rate of 65%, among the best in the league.

The Carolina Panthers haven’t used it often as the Saints (21 plays) but they have also achieved a 65% success rate out of 21 personnel. The Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks each have a 100% success rate in that package, but they’ve combined for just three plays. Six other teams run 21 personnel more often than the Saints, but none of them are as effective.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the Saints should wildly change what they’re doing. They’re performing as one of the NFL’s better offenses regardless of personnel packages; their least successful look is 22 personnel with two backs, two tight ends, and just one receiver, and even that success rate (48%) trails only the Baltimore Ravens (51%) among teams using it 25 or more times this season.

What the Saints are doing on offense is working. It might not be as flashy as we’re used to, but they’re still scoring 30.6 points per game — more than the Ravens, who lead the league in total points scored in six weeks but at just 29.8 points per game. And they’ve done that without Michael Thomas, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year. If the team’s pass defense can improve just slightly and if Thomas can help open up the offense, they’ll have a vastly different perception in just a few weeks.

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New Orleans Saints 2020 Fantasy Football Preview

The New Orleans Saints have a dazzling array of weapons on offense, which may give fantasy football owners confidence before training camp.

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The New Orleans Saints offense is always reliable for a high scoring output in fantasy football, especially in recent years with so many touches funneled towards pass-catchers like wide receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara. With veteran tight end Jared Cook entering his second year working with quarterback Drew Brees and free agent wideout Emmanuel Sanders added to the mix, the Saints are looking kind of scary on offense.

And that’s before you even get into the probable-upgrade of first-round draft choice Cesar Ruiz, who should add youth and athleticism to the offensive line after right guard Larry Warford’s departure. That’s great news for Kamara and No. 2 runner Latavius Murray.

This content appears in print in USA Today’s Sports Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Preview.

What’s new

The biggest addition of the offseason is Emmanuel Sanders, a Pro Bowler and experienced wideout with more hides on the wall than anyone the Saints have trotted out across from Michael Thomas since Brandin Cooks was in town. Sanders’ veteran savvy and playmaking ability should create opportunities for everyone around him while relieving the pressure on Thomas to catch a dozen passes or so each week. 

Additionally, there is hope for a big bounce back for Alvin Kamara, particularly as a runner. The Saints invested in their offensive line by drafting Cesar Ruiz out of Michigan in the first round, which should go a long way toward plugging holes in an already strong area of their offense. He should run into the end zone more than five times with better blocking up front.

Camp battles

Fantasy owners shouldn’t anticipate much movement at the top of the Saints depth chart, but there’s room for competition throughout the roster, particularly at wide receiver. 

Tre’Quan Smith is far from entrenched as the team’s third wideout, and the team has brought in nearly a dozen options to push him for his job. He could be playing elsewhere if he can’t be any more than an occasional red-zone threat. 

Newcomers could make an impact at tight end — if rookie draft pick Adam Trautman can push Josh Hill for passing-down snaps — and maybe at running back, should Ty Montgomery prove to be more than a curiosity backing up Kamara.

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Saints combine meetings included Utah running back Zack Moss

The New Orleans Saints met with Utah running back Zack Moss, a top prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft. Could he replace Alvin Kamara?

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The New Orleans Saints were allowed to formally interview 45 draft prospects at last week’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, and we’re slowly finding out some of the names they prioritized. LSU Tigers safety Grant Delpit was one of them, and now we know another: Utah Utes running back Zack Moss, per Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar.

Moss gutted through a hamstring injury to time the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds, weighing in at 5-foot-9, 223 pounds. He also put up 19 reps on the bench press and hit 33 inches in the vertical jump, but hopes to improve on those numbers at Utah’s pro day on March 26.

That combine performance followed a solid college career, in which Moss ran for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons before entering the draft. He capped off his Utah tenure with 1,416 rushing yards and 15 touchdown runs in 2019, as well as a career-high 388 receiving yards (on 28 catches). He’s a name to watch on the second day of this year’s draft.

It’s possible that the Saints could target a running back this offseason, especially with uncertainty surrounding Alvin Kamara’s future with the team. Kamara is entering the final year of his rookie deal and underwhelmed last year while managing a series of lower-leg injuries. They also have Latavius Murray under contract but are otherwise running thin at the position, with practice squad call-up Taquan Mizzell waiting in the wings.

But we shouldn’t bet on the Saints drafting a runner highly. Murray proved he could shoulder the load when Kamara missed time last season, and they have too many needs at more important positions. If anything, Moss meeting with the Saints at the combine illustrates the point that we shouldn’t look too deeply into these interviews — by the time the draft rolls around on April 23, every team will have met with nearly every prospect. These formal meetings in Indianapolis are just part of the process in getting to know all possible options.

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2019 Saints Season in Review: Wide Receiver Ted Ginn Jr.

We are continuing our 2019 season reviews with New Orleans Saints wide receiver and pending unrestricted free agent, Ted Ginn Jr.

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We are continuing on with our season reviews at Saints Wire with New Orleans Saints wide receiver and pending unrestricted free agent, Ted Ginn Jr. The 34-year old receiver has seen noticeable dips in his performance and production each season he has been a member of the Saints. Despite playing a full season in 2019, after an injury-marred 2018, Ginn still posted lackluster numbers.

Level of play in 2019

Ginn was initially brought in by New Orleans ahead of the 2017 season to add speed to the receiving corps. His previous stint with the Carolina Panthers proved fruitful, and if he was able to replicate anything like that production, it would have been for the Saints. Instead, he never really lived up to the expectations, and his 2019 exemplified that.

In 2019, Ginn had just 30 receptions for 421 yards and two touchdowns. Some of the lack of production can be chalked up to the fact that quarterback Drew Brees cannot throw the field downfield as far as he used to. Ginn’s role was originally designed to be a deep threat and spread the field. With an aging Brees, the offense had to become more efficient, and Ginn’s role was reduced.

To put things into perspective, despite Ginn having the second most receptions as a wide receiver, he still only managed to rank fifth on the team in receptions. Backup running back Latavius Murray was able to secure 34 passes. Ginn’s 2019 season was a far cry from what New Orleans envisioned from the veteran receiver when they brought him on three years ago. Now it looks like his time in the Black and Gold us up.

What to expect in 2020

Ginn is an unrestricted agent heading into the offseason. This status allows him to negotiate with any team in the NFL for his services. It would be an absolute shocker if the Saints brought the 34-year old back.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has already publicly stated that he likes his current group of receivers, which likely doesn’t include Ginn going forward. His departure this offseason would remove the $3.5-million cap hit the Saints took in 2019.

The future is not totally bleak for the wideout, however. Despite his age, there is a distinct possibility he could find a place on a team for a one-year deal to play out the 2020 season.

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Vikings will face off against familiar face RB Latavius Murray

Murray spent 2017 and 2018 with the Vikings.

The Vikings will be going up against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in the wild card round.

The Saints employ Latavius Murray as their backup running back. Vikings fans are plenty familiar with Murray, who spent 2017 and 2018 with the Vikings, combining to rush for 1,420 yards and 14 touchdowns to go with 37 catches for 244 yards.

In his first season with the Saints, Murray has been a big part of the team’s offense, running for 637 yards and five touchdowns to go with 34 catches for 235 yards and another touchdown.

With Alvin Kamara back healthy, we probably won’t see a whole lot of Murray in this one. Murray will likely get somewhere between eight and 12 touches in the game.

Murray will try to find some success in the postseason, something he hasn’t had a lot of during his career. In three career postseason games (one with Oakland, two with Minnesota), Murray has run 37 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns to go with five catches for 28 yards.

Saints snap-count analysis vs. Panthers: Rest played factor in distribution

The New Orleans Saints rested starters late in their blowout win over the Carolina Panthers, allowing backups like Janoris Jenkins to shine.

The New Orleans went into Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers with offense playing at full strength, while the defense remained banged up, especially in the secondary. That was still too much for a leaderless Panthers team to handle, and key starters were pulled by the Saints in the fourth quarter, which significantly skews their snap counts. The upside to that is the second- and third-string players got extended experience, which will only help them develop further.

Offensive backfield

  • QB Drew Brees, 56 (81%)
  • RB Latavius Murray, 37 (54%)
  • QB Taysom Hill, 34 (49%)
  • RB Alvin Kamara, 28 (41%)
  • FB Ricky Ortiz, 17 (25%)
  • QB Teddy Bridgewater, 11 (16%)
  • RB Dwayne Washington, 5 (7%)

Kamara’s share was down from Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans, when he saw over 63% of the offensive snaps. However, the running back was able to produce two touchdowns against the Panthers, and his reduced workload was likely caused by head coach Sean Payton wanting to give his starter rest ahead of the the playoffs.

Skill positions

  • TE Josh Hill, 55 (80%)
  • WR Michael Thomas, 46 (67%)
  • WR Tre’Quan Smith, 43 (62%)
  • TE Jared Cook, 26 (38%)
  • WR Ted Ginn Jr., 18 (26%)
  • WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, 12 (17%)
  • WR Deonte Harris, 8 (12%)

Once again Hill outpaced Cook for their share of snaps played, which is not unusual considering he plays a larger part in the run-blocking game than Cook. Furthermore, Hill’s presence allows Cook more opportunities in the passing game. Thomas’ snap count share was below-average this week, as was his production. There is not much to be worried about on that front considering he was rested in the fourth quarter.

Offensive line

  • T Ryan Ramczyk, 69 (100%)
  • G Larry Warford, 69 (100%)
  • C Erik McCoy, 69 (100%)
  • T Terron Armstead, 54 (78%)
  • G Andrus Peat, 49 (71%)
  • C Nick Easton, 20 (29%)
  • C Will Clapp, 18 (26%)

The offensive line returned to near full-health against Carolina with the return of Peat and Warford, though Peat was in and out of the game depending on various situations. it seems the Saints wanted to ease him back into action after he broke his arm. While Easton had done an admirable job in standing in during that time, the offensive line looked much better at protecting Brees, while also opening up the run game. A strong push into the playoffs will be much more attainable, with the entire unit near full health.

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Colts vs. Saints: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 15

Key matchups in Week 15.

Following their last-minute 38-35 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts are back on the road as they’ll face the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. Despite their 6-7 record, the Colts are technically still alive in the AFC playoff race.

If there’s anything that should give this AFC South competitor hope, it’s knowing the Saints are capable of being beaten at home. Since Week 10, the Saints are 1-2 at home, including their 26-9 upset loss vs. Atlanta.

Here are three key matchups to watch in the Colts’ Week 15 bout:

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WR Michael Thomas vs. Colts’ injured secondary

After engaging in a dog fight with the Buccaneers’ receiving corps in Week 14, the Colts’ secondary is in store for another one as they’ll face the league’s best receiver right now. Whether it’s through his skill-set, size or historic production, the Saints’ Michael Thomas is producing a historic season by all means.

With three games remaining, Thomas is only 23 catches (121) away from surpassing Colts great Marvin Harrison’s all-time record for most catches in a season (143); while also being in a good position to finish with a top-10 highest season total of receiving yards, since he’s currently at 1,424.

Even if fully healthy, the Colts’ secondary was going to have a hard time defending the Ohio State product and now it’s likely the case given their state of injuries. Cornerback Kenny Moore II isn’t playing on Monday and the duo of Rock Ya-Sin and Pierre Desir are banged up with nagging injuries.

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