When Kamara returns...
 

When Kamara returns (hopefully 100%) for the Alt game, will we see his role change some now that we know what Lat Murray can do? Maybe less AK between the tackles & more touches in space? Certainly Lat Murray has earned the trust to get a fair share of the carries. So, will we see a Kamara/Murray tandem similar to a Reggie/Deuce role?
Your thoughts?

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

Nope. CSP's offense is predicated on personnel being multiple, where players show the same look but can generate different actions from that look. If Murray creates a "run inside the tackles" tendency or Kamara generates a "receiver in space" tendency, then defenses will start to shift their resources to stop that. So since both can do both, expect moving forward that both will do both, both singularly and together on the field.

SFIAH

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

I think he will give Murray more touches than he had before Kamaras injury. It will be pretty close to the way he used Ingram and Kamara. He will definitely be used more in the passing game than pre injury, that was the knock on him initially but has proved he can do it.

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

The knock on him by who? All I had ever heard about him when we first signed him was that he had soft hands and did well in the passing game. I know a few forum members that did not like the initial signing made claims that he wasn't effective in the passing game, but I just read that as uninformed bull****. I remember both K_Major and myself posting passing game numbers comparable to those of Mark Ingram while refuting those false claims.

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

Only the Refs can stop the Kamara/Murray combo from working. Off the top I can recall at least 5 TD’s called back for Ticky-tacky fouls. Also 2 scores by our defense because of stoppage of play.

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

TBH, Adrian Peterson could've provided the same production.

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

Hear hear!

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

Both players will do both, yes, but that doesn't mean Kamara's role won't be different. You said at the end of your post "and together on the field", and that's exactly how I think things will be different. Because while Kamara will continue to get carries between the tackles, I think it's safe to assume we'll see a lot of both players on the field at the same time, allowing Kamara to line up in the slot, which we know he can do.

Early in the year, it was either Murray or Kamara, but usually 95% Kamara, and never both. I'm not Sean Payton, but I can't imagine he won't try to take advantage of both players' talents by putting them on the field together, at least some of the time. To say that Kamara will be used differently does not mean that he has to be pigeon holed into doing one thing. But I think having both players on the field will be an advantage for the Saints, and it will probably, or at least possibly, mean more slot work for Kamara. He does his best work in the passing game. He's a good runner, but Murray is just as effective, though less flashy.

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

Depends on the score. Get behind less Murray. Up, More Murray. Close game a little more Kamara. Get way up almost no Kamara.

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

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.

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

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.

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

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.

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

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

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

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.

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

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?

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

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

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

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.

;)

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

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."

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

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.

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

The whole premise of the thread was what to expect "When Kamara returns ...", or in other words, speculating on the future. I was simply pointing out that referencing touches in game one has no relevance on what to expect moving forward. In keeping with the subject of the thread I also simply pointed out what Sean Payton said when asked about what to expect as for the snap count breakdown for Kamara and Murray ... that he expects it to be similar to that of Kamara and Ingram last season following Ingram's return (which was closer to 55%-45%).

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

This is a better answer than Guido has ever had to offer on any subject

Re: When Kamara returns...
 

I agree that it was a much more relevant reply than the others.