Sean Payton: Kiko Alonso's role 'will continue to expand' with the Saints

SmashMouth · 10-11-2019, 08:17 AM

When the New Orleans Saints sent Vince Biegel to the Miami Dolphins in September to acquire Kiko Alonso, they knew they were getting a good, productive football player, but it wasn’t quite clear where he was going to contribute as the team already had three capable starting linebackers.

Then, two weeks into the season, New Orleans lost starter Alex Anzalone for the season with a shoulder injury, making the trade seem prescient.

“Sometimes the timing, you don’t understand the significance of it,” said coach Sean Payton. “Unfortunately for Alex, his injury came, and it’s something that we’re fortunate to have a player that can move (into the lineup) like that with the injury Alex had. I think he’s done well, and he’s playing in the base. His role will continue to expand.”

Alonso has recorded at least 114 tackles in each of his professional seasons in which he did not miss time to injury, but had to adjust to a smaller role this season.

He did not play a defensive snap in the season opener, then only saw the field for four scrimmage plays in a Week 2 loss to the Rams. But since Anzalone’s injury he’s steadily played between 10-11 snaps per game.

He arrived with the team shortly after the conclusion of training camp, giving him little time to get acquainted with the Saints defensive system, but five weeks in he said he has a better grasp on what’s going on.

“The more reps I get, the more I start doing, yeah, I’m more comfortable for sure,” Alonso said.

NOLA

10-11-2019, 08:17 AM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,554 Blog Entries: 29	Sean Payton: Kiko Alonso's role 'will continue to expand' with the Saints When the New Orleans Saints sent Vince Biegel to the Miami Dolphins in September to acquire Kiko Alonso, they knew they were getting a good, productive football player, but it wasn’t quite clear where he was going to contribute as the team already had three capable starting linebackers. Then, two weeks into the season, New Orleans lost starter Alex Anzalone for the season with a shoulder injury, making the trade seem prescient. “Sometimes the timing, you don’t understand the significance of it,” said coach Sean Payton. “Unfortunately for Alex, his injury came, and it’s something that we’re fortunate to have a player that can move (into the lineup) like that with the injury Alex had. I think he’s done well, and he’s playing in the base. His role will continue to expand.” Alonso has recorded at least 114 tackles in each of his professional seasons in which he did not miss time to injury, but had to adjust to a smaller role this season. He did not play a defensive snap in the season opener, then only saw the field for four scrimmage plays in a Week 2 loss to the Rams. But since Anzalone’s injury he’s steadily played between 10-11 snaps per game. He arrived with the team shortly after the conclusion of training camp, giving him little time to get acquainted with the Saints defensive system, but five weeks in he said he has a better grasp on what’s going on. “The more reps I get, the more I start doing, yeah, I’m more comfortable for sure,” Alonso said. NOLA Attached Thumbnails jeanpierre likes this.