By Ross Jackson
“If you love New Orleans, it will love you back.”
The famous words bestowed upon New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson by New Orleans Saints legend and future NFL Hall of Famer Drew Brees have become a calling card of the city, a city that loves back as much as it is loved. One Saints player reminded everyone of his strong feelings toward the so-called Big Easy after a massive opening game win on Sunday.
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been engulfed in contract negotiations, trade rumors and more all offseason. But for him, the focus is not on figures, guarantees and averages. His focus is on performing.
Despite his contract outlook, Kamara was clear that his intent was always to show up for his teammates, coaches and fanbase.
“Obviously I didn’t come to OTAs,” Kamara said in his post-game media availability Sunday. “I was here for minicamp, left that last day. Then everybody was just kind of holding their breath to see if I was going to show up to camp. But I already knew in my head, I was like, ‘Man I’m going show up and I’m going to work like I always do. And I’m going to perform like I always do, God willing.’”
Kamara did just that on Sunday to the tune of 110 yards from scrimmage, his 50th career game crossing the century mark. His graceful navigation on the field is only matched by his graceful navigation of his circumstance. In an NFL world filled with holdouts, disputes and public power struggles, Kamara remains laser-focused on one thing: winning.
“I don’t want to be sitting here trying to negotiate a contract while we’re trying to win games or while we’re trying to get to a Super Bowl,” he said. “We’ll talk about it after the season. I meant it when I said it; I’m not worried about it. I’m here to play. I’m going to play. I’m going to perform. I don’t (have an) illness. I don’t (have any) mystery injury. Nothing like that. I’m here.”
The message he hopes he sends to his teammates and coaches is one of dedication. There is a commitment that he has held strong to for years in openly discussing his desires to finish his career in New Orleans, which is reflected in the motivation around his decision to play through any ongoing or stalled talks.
“I love this city,” he said. “I love the fans. I love these people. They support me. They’ve been supporting me for years now. I interact with so many people every day. These people love me like I’m family and I feel the same way, vice versa. I’d be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t come out here and try to put on for those people. I truly, truly, truly love ‘Who Dat Nation’ as cliche as it may sound. Everybody says that but I’m for real. This is like family. Home. When I say I want to be here, I mean it.”
The sentiment has been received by Saints fans who can be seen showering him with praise in any comment section or social media platform available. But it has also been received by his team. Kamara’s decision to suit up is one that has had a positive impact on his team. Saints head coach Dennis Allen praised the running back’s performance during his day-after presser.
“Alvin’s been outstanding,” Allen said. “I mean he showed up, came to work every day. He’s been a real pro about handling his business, and we know that contracts are part of what we deal with in the NFL. I think he’s kind of put that to the side and just focused on the things that he can control. That’s how he goes out and plays the game. He’s been great. I thought he was awesome in the game.”
Allen also highlighted that Kamara ran the ball well and that he ran the plays as designed, a possible nod to the back’s commitment to only being present but doing things as they are meant to be done rather than diverting from the gameplan for personal interest. All things the team and onlookers are not shocked to see when it comes to Kamara who has always been invested in the finer details of the game.
Allen’s comments back up what the team showed on the field in terms of its confidence in Kamara on Sunday. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak displayed a strong vote of confidence in him throughout the drive that led to Kamara’s first touchdown run of the season.
A first-and-10 touchdown run of 11 yards was called back due to a holding penalty early in the third quarter. Instead of Kubiak going away from his playmaker as they backed out of the red zone, he chose to keep feeding him. The next play was an 18-yard gain on a screen pass to Kamara who was lined up out wide. Then, following a delay of game penalty, the offense handed the ball off to Kamara for three-straight runs until he eventually crossed the goal line again.
Much like Kamara showed the Saints his intent of playing for the team. The coaching staff and his teammates showed their intent to make sure he was rewarded. That gesture could easily fall silent for the casual viewer, but it meant the world to Kamara.
“I got the win for it, and then Klint got the belief,” he said. “Then the (offensive line) and everybody just executed. So, I was able to get in there. It’s dope when you’ve got a play caller that trusts in you and believes in you. (I) just got to go in there and make a play.”
