New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Analysis: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray proved to be an integral part of the gameplan down the stretch in 2019. Murray had a total of just 32 carries and nine catches over the first six weeks of the season while his counterpart Alvin Kamara got the bulk of the load. But when Kamara was forced to miss two weeks midway through the year, Murray stepped up and delivered back-to-back 100-yard rushing games for the first time in his career. In his first year in the Black and Gold, Murray started eight games, carrying the ball 146 times for 637 yards and five touchdowns. He hauled in 34 receptions for 235 yards and one touchdown.

Best game: The Saints traveled to the Windy City for a battle against a stout Chicago Bears defense without Kamara in Week 7. Murray got the start and rushed 27 times for 119 yards and two touchdowns while adding five receptions for 31 yards.

Best quote: "It's the opportunities, and I've gotten 'em here. Screens, checkdowns. I think quarterbacks play a big role in that and finding the open guy. So it's all been a testament just to the offense. I credit everything to the offense." - Murray

Full story :bng: https://www.neworleanssaints.com/new...lled-upon-in-2

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Yes... When he was called... Which was not often enough.

Thank you , SP!

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

It is incredible that an accomplished NFL head coach knows so little.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

And to think that we as fans know more than he while the game is in progress. It is sad. I'd like to hear his excuses. But, to make matters worse, this happens to many other NFL coaches. They don't know what best at times. Yes, very sad.

:(

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Agreed. The rhythm thing is not a myth.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Only 5 carries post season vs his old team in the wild card with everything on the line.

I for one thought we'd get a heavy dose of the L Train.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Or some people's wishes would come true and he'd be replaced by one of the other run of the mill coaches that will lead us back to the Ditka days.

It is easy for fans sitting back in their easy chairs to pick over in game choices made by coaches AFTER the game is over. We have no idea what factors came into play for the calling of a specific play at a specific time. Even the most knowledgeable fan doesn't watch the 22's and notice eight in the box and the QB audible to a pass. Perhaps Murray got dinged early? No idea.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

^^^ ^^^^

Sean Payton will need to change it up offensively ... specifically in the POST SEASON. The good teams have caught on to what we do offensively. You can't go through Brees (defenses don't respect anything past 20 yards) anymore to win it all.

Balance.

IMO things won't change much while #9 is under center; maybe adding a real #2 WR open things up a little but you need an effective run game.

Hopefully the Saints target a MOBILE QB in the draft. He doesn't have to be Lamar J but a kid who can move the chains with his feet on occasion. Vikes & Zimmers defense knew that was something they didn't have to worry about.

But back on topic, L Train still had a nice season with the carries he was given in 2019.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

I think the L train did no worst than having mark here mater of fact a lot better I think. Wish we could have seen more.


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Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Saw buckshot brooks guess draft on Jordan Love (USU) to saints I heard chatter on the kid being a shadow of mahommes . For the love of the sport and not so knowledgeable on name that school I had to google what the heck was USU.


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Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Had to mention Ditka didn't ya, there goes years of therapy trying to get that guy out of my head.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Could someone put this in the draft prospect tread my bad self


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Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Murray was critically underused last season. Maybe Payton will use him more next year. If not, then trade him and get some value. I'd rather run him in the ground and give Kamara a rest.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Payton often out coaches himself. He gets so worked up on exploiting mismatches and putting the ball in a 41 year old QB's hands 50 times a game, that he forgets the formula that won us 5 straight games whilst Brees was out.

Run game.

Just watch the Super Bowl, KC didnt have a great running game all year, but the threat of the Chiefs offense was enough to make the 9ers forget that KC had a very dependable RB in Damien Williams, he deserved the SB MVP in my opinion.

Payton just acts as though the thing that won him 5 games doesnt exist when he gets to the Post Season, because ofcourse, Coach knows best....

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

This is true, however KC/Reid/Eric Bienemy did end up 3rd (77 total ) in terms of total rush attempts of all the teams who made it to the post season.

Meanwhile the Saints only had 17 total rushing attempts, followed by the Pats (22). Both losers at home in the wild card round.

Niners ran it 111 & the Titans 100 ...

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Which means nothing unless every down is evaluated and every defensive alignment is evaluated.

I'm sure many of you understand these concepts. NFL offensive play calls are not made in a vacuum. They are schemed upon what is felt may work the best under different circumstances against an opponent based upon their tendencies. This is called a "game plan". Part of a game plan may involve a series of scripted plays which feels out how the opponent may have adapted their tendencies. The result of these plays can quickly cause a change in approach, as can other adjustments made by the defense as the game progresses. If a defense takes away a certain subset of plays that you have designed for a specific player's skill set, you must adjust. Oh, and we used to debate, as well. LOL

Different players at the same position usually have different skill sets and at times the plays specifically designed for that player do not arise. You can't always shove a square peg into a round hole and expect it to work time after time. If the player hasn't practiced what the play caller has identified in what they believe is the best call at that time then they will not be involved.

Teddy Bridgewater explained this concept when he described coming into the game against the Rams when Brees was injured. He said he was not prepared to run the full offense. The game plan was built upon Brees' talents, not Teddy's.

Rush attempt counts, pass attempt counts, whatever, do not tell the story. There is SO much more that has to do with the flow of play calling than the very smartest of us that sit at home and watch will ever know.

As an aside, much of this input comes from my late father-in-law that is in the LHSAA Hall of Fame as a coach. I spent many an hour watching sports of all types with him and gained an understanding that isn't commonly experienced by many. He would readily point out a call that he thought was a bad choice by a coach on an individual basis, but would defend the overall play calling of a quality coach based upon game flow. Although, he put it in other terms. He taught me many of those concepts that I regularly share here.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Balance is the name of the game ..especially with a 41 year QB under center.

The playoffs are different beast entirely. Defensive lines get meaner, tougher, stronger & nasty. You have to have a mind set to destroy the man lined up (see Michael Thomas & Ramz). The Saints o line have no attitude in the trenches. Not enough dawgs, no bullies. Being flat in the playoffs and getting pushed around at home in the wild card game is embarrassing

Attitude reflects leadership. We need dawgs with a no fear mentality.

Go get another Carl Nicks type player up front with a mean streak.Otherwise it won't even matter who is running the ball for 5 carries or 15.

This team has too much talent to choke in big games.

3 consecutive years of playoff disappointment.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Point 1 Niners abandon the run which was going great and chewing the clock
Point 2 That cost them the game.
Point 3 Brees has the full script to work with an aging arm.
Point 4 Bridgewater has half the script and with a good run game won 5 of 5.
My main objective is to show how the run game plays a huge roll in games and with Brees ( at 41) isn't mobile and doesn't have the best deep ball and should be surrounded by a dominating run game that can eat up the clock and a good D to compliment the aging arm he has. Without those things he's going to cost us more games with his aging arm than win in a shootout. Key nowdays with Brees under C is keeping the ball out of high powered O's we incounter, we're not that quick strike O we used to be, but the intermediate ball control tough as hell to beat team with Brees under C.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

+1. Precisely.

https://media1.giphy.com/media/10Hfo...&rid=giphy.gif

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

I know this may be controversial but I think Pete Carmichael calls a better game. Just my opinion though

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Opinions are welcomed.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

It ain’t like Payton’s scaring anybody anymore in fact he’s getting to predictable Will


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Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Remember when we ran a screen with Pierre Thomas they knew it was coming and could do nothing about it . That was an oline


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Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Guess it's time to move on from Payton. Who can we get on short order that can do better than 13-3? Is Ditka still willing to come back?

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Don’t take it out on me AG I’m not the one that chokes it the playoff


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Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

All on Payton, right? There are 45 players in the game that have MUCH more impact on the game than the coach. But, I guess you're right. Dump the ****ty coach.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Easy my boy don’t take it to hard. He called a bad game move on


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Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

Nobody’s dumping nobody just a lackluster effort my the guy on top .it’s his job he had it going and failed to make adjustments . Got his asre kicked by a friend


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Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

When the defense is stunting up the middle and your 2 guards and center can't handle them, what type of adjustment do you make? You can't just wish for reincarnated Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks to posses their bodies. The O-line played like crap and got their butts handed to them. It's one thing if the pressure was coming from the ends where you can chip with a TE or extra lineman but talk about a cluster if you try to pull a lineman across formation to help block the middle. That's when you see QB's having their feet stepped on and fumbles caused by friendly fire. We need better guard play or it doesn't matter who is the QB.

Re: New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray stepped up when called upon in 2019
 

I have said it many times but never better! Preach on brother! Preach on! :praise: