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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

K Major

I agree with Alonso .. "getting more reps" is key.

Cruize

Solid vet with skills.

foreverfan

Kristian "Kiko" Alonso (born August 14, 1990) is an American football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon, and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

After a stellar rookie season with the Bills, Alonso missed his second season due to a torn ACL and was afterwards traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for halfback LeSean McCoy. Following an inconsistent season with the Eagles, he was then traded to the Miami Dolphins, becoming entrenched as a starter for three years before being traded once again to the Saints.

2019 Death of a Parrot.

Saint in Aus

Interested to get the views of the more astute Saints fan as to how you think he has been going? I have watched all games but haven’t really noticed how he is travelling.

44Champs

My favorite Kiko Alonzo highlight


XLIV CHAMPS

WillMacKenzie

Only thing I’ve noticed thus far is his pants don’t fit or his socks aren’t long enough

jeanpierre

Became familiar with him through Hagan's Joe Sam Fantasy Football League...

Started watching him from Buffalo, brief stint in Philly, through the trade to Miami...

He is a hoss and near perfect complement to DeMario Davis and one of my favorite league players...

Rugby Saint II

I was familiar with him from our members posts at draft time. I heard his name occasionally throughout the years and was glad he came to the Saints. Smart move by the FO considering our depth was questionable even before Anzalone went down!

WillMacKenzie

I remember this lol