SmashMouth

Kurt Coleman spent last season in Carolina as a teammate of Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey.

Coleman is spending this season as a teammate of Alvin Kamara.

So Coleman, the New Orleans Saints safety, knows better than most just how similar two of the NFL's most versatile running backs are.

"They are both phenomenal players," Coleman said. "If you look at stats, you can say they are almost identical."



Through two seasons, only 225 yards from scrimmage separate the two. Kamara has 2,938 yards to McCaffrey's 2,713.

But Coleman also knows just how much the two players are different.

"McCaffrey is a little bit smaller in stature, but he's quick and he's great in space," Coleman said. "He's very smart and instinctual. AK is a lot more powerful of a runner than a lot of people give him credit for. Going against (Kamara) three times last year, his balance is just incredible. It's something spectacular. It's a special thing that I don't think anybody else in this league has as far as the way he can handle a hit and stay on his feet and continue to run. You can't go wrong with either one."

Kamara and McCaffrey will be on the same field Monday night when the Saints (11-2) take on the Carolina Panthers (6-7) at Bank of America Stadium. The second-year backs will be two of the most dangerous players out there, giving defensives fits with their ability to run and catch passes.

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