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Report: Kiko Alonso on pace to return for Saints training camp



The New Orleans Saints defense figures to be a strength of the team again in 2020, even if multiple starters are returning from season-ending injuries. Defensive end Marcus Davenport, linebacker Alex Anzalone, and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins are each expected to be ready for the July 28 start of Saints training camp later this summer, and now another name has been added to the list: linebacker Kiko Alonso.

Alonso exited the Saints’ playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings with a torn ACL, and shared an update earlier this offseason on his progress in recovery. Now, a report from NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill puts Alonso’s timeline on pace to return in time for camp, too.

Having everyone ready to go at full speed in July is big news. The Saints usually field just two linebackers at a time, favoring an extra defensive back in most looks, so Alonso and Anzalone should compete with rookie draft pick Zack Baun for the right to start next to their All-Pro teammate Demario Davis. If all of their linebackers are healthy and firing on full cylinders, the Saints should be able to trot out the best combination possible.

And Alonso shouldn’t be ruled out of the equation. He played well in his first year with New Orleans (having been acquired in a last-minute trade with the Miami Dolphins before the season-opener), though he missed time with a quadriceps muscle injury.

He also agreed to a renegotiated contract that rewards him for seeing more action, ranging from a $250,000 bonus for playing 27% of snaps to $3.95 million for clearing 90% — plus escalators in being active for 10, 12, or 14 games. Alonso played more than 91% of snaps over 15 or more games each of his last three years in Miami, so he has a shot at contributing often for New Orleans.

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

Rugby Saint II

I know that everyone is not as high on him as I am but darn he looks good out there and is a play maker. We need him back 100%.

saintsfan1976

I thought he played lights out last season. I'm pumped to see him back!

The Dude

He did. I just hope all 4 can stay healthy. I just don’t have much faith in Anzalones ability to stay healthy. He has only played 2 full seasons in 7 years of his collegiate/NFL career. One of those years he was in college and only played special teams.

jeanpierre

Guess I'm an apologists for Anazalone; my concern taking him in the third was the injury history, but he can ball...

There's some history at UF of players not getting effective, long-term orthopedic/kinesiological health care...

Anzalone really needed surgery upon arrival, but the team waited till his bum shoulder flared again, which it did...

If you know anything about shoulder injuries, the repairs can be very problematic, let alone for NFL Linebackers who plan to smash with 'em...

It takes a couple of years to get them rebuilt and conditioned to withstand the shock load that they'll see...

Just feel like many folks are ignorant to some of these factors; we've certainly seen Ochsner Orthopedics drop the ball as well...

So keep those things in mind when passing judgement on Anzalone and not confusing them with Alonzo...

Appreciate the update AG on Alonzo; he's been a force on defense when full-strength, in fact, he can intimidate some players...

And his athleticism is vastly underrated as he too can be a playmaker; be patient with Alonzo as well, we've enough depth now to ease the load...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

dizzle88

I really liked watching Alonso play last year and was gutted when he got hurt.

I hope he's fully healed, it was nice having Speed at LB from someone not named Demario Davis lol