ScottF

Murray and Kamara on the field at the same time will create some real match-up issues. Four wide with AK in the flat and Murray behind Brees, what defense are you going to run?
AK might lose 5 touches (carries) a game, but will see 3-4 more targets.

Beastmode

Week one was the last time we had the crew. Tight game. Murray touched the rock 8 times. So this is what we know with a tiny sample:

1. Tight game: Murray sees the ball less than 10X's running and passing combined.

2. Payton stated in PS he wanted a 70/30 ish snap count. It should look like that at least in the first quarter.

AsylumGuido

Your premise is based upon something that you say Payton said in the preseason and what you admitted was a tiny sample size. It looks to me that we know nothing based upon that other than Murray has been assimilated into the offense and has looked very good doing it. I would be shocked to see Murray with less than ten touches in a close game AND expect higher than 30% snap count barring injury.

jnormand

Yeah beast. You don't know anything man. Why do you even comment or have an opinion? Shame! Shame! Shame!

Beastmode

If it was an opinion I would be ashamed but, I looked up those two facts about the current situation which are non refutable.

That is what happened and that's what was said and all we know right now.

SaintsBro

I think whatever recipe for Kamara and Murray Payton cooks up, people on the game day threads won't like it. How's that for a wild prediction?

K Major

I say just put Taysom in as the joker and let's knock fools out .

AsylumGuido

Those two "facts" have nothing to do with the current situation. Murray was little used in the preseason as he was recovering from some sort of injury. I doubt Payton knew at the time how he would be able to be used once the season got rolling. As you pointed out, there was only one game with the "whole crew" and more like a preseason game itself. Through eight games Payton now has a far better idea of how to incorporate Murray into the offense. How he was used in the whatever Payton may or may not have said in the preseason and how certain players were used in game one has absolutely no relevance as to how they will be used going forward.

I expect the snap count numbers for Murray and Kamara to closer approach those of Ingram and Kamara this past season.

But, I understand your personal opinion of Murray and his importance, or lack there of, to this team. I can see why you expect nothing more than spot duty with the return of both Kamara and Brees.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

AsylumGuido

Here is an article documenting what Sean Payton ACTUALLY said during the preseason about the percentage of Kamara's and Murray's expected touches.

Saints like Alvin Kamara's 'pitch count,' even with Mark Ingram gone

"But here’s the snag if you’re thinking of taking Kamara with the No. 1 overall pick in your fantasy league: Payton doesn’t want Kamara playing 82 percent of the Saints’ offensive snaps like he did during that four-game stretch (without Ingram).

Payton actually prefers the 61 percent that Kamara settled into for the rest of the games he played in, including the playoffs.

“It will be similar to what we’ve been seeing,” Payton said of Kamara’s expected usage. “We’ve been pleased with the balance we’ve had with him. We think it’s been a good count.”

That’s why the Saints immediately pounced on veteran running back Latavius Murray in free agency ..."

"Murray’s role likely won’t be as substantial as Ingram’s was in 2017 when Ingram and Kamara made history by both surpassing 1,500 yards from scrimmage with 58-plus catches and 12-plus touchdowns. That year, the two Saints backs were pretty interchangeable as runners, receivers, pass protectors and goal-line backs.

But the workload split could be similar to what we saw when Ingram returned from his suspension last year, when Kamara was the “1A,” if not the clear No. 1."

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

Beastmode

61% is under an ideal game situation. Game one Kamara got the rock 20 times. Murray 8. This was due to it not being ideal.

I'm not speculating on the future, just pointing out what happened in a less than ideal situation in an actual game. It is only one game which I clearly pointed out so no point in bashing me over it.