The status of a Alvin Kamara suspension is still awaiting, and we won’t know anything until at least August 1st. Kamara was arrested in Vegas during Pro Bowl weekend on February 6th for assault and bodily harm. His next court hearing is scheduled for August 1st which has already been moved around a few times.
The original court date was set for March 8th, then it was moved forward to April 25th, and as of now it’s scheduled for August 1st.
I take it as Kamara’s legal team is still gathering evidence and creating a stronger case for Kamara. Pushing the court date back more and more gives them more time to build a stronger case and gather whatever evidence they need for Kamara, who could potentially face some legal troubles and a likely suspension from the NFL.
However, the NFL doesn’t give out suspensions and/or punishments until the legal matters have been officially closed. So, if Kamara’s court case were to be pushed back again to late October or early November then Kamara is playing the early stretch of the season.
Preferably, I’d rather Kamara miss the early part of the season as opposed to the middle or late stretch of the season based on the schedule and teams played in each stretch.
Once Kamara’s legal matters are officially disclosed a possible six game suspension is likely the case. It could be more but it could be less.
I think anything five games or more, Kamara will appeal it and maybe get that suspension number down a few games which would be huge for the Saints.
I don’t think Kamara should be suspended for anything more than five games. He got in a fight in Vegas, it happens. Ray Rice beat his girlfriend and was suspended two games. I’m not saying what Kamara did was right, but there have been smaller punishments for similar actions.
In the scenario that Kamara does get suspended, Dennis Allen says he feels comfortable and prepared for that scenario, but once training camp starts and you see these guys in pads running behind linemen that mindset can change. You could be underwhelmed with a training camp performance and to do research on some other guys at the running back position.
The current running back room consists of Mark Ingram, Tony Jones Jr, Dwayne Washington, Abram Smith, and Devine Ozigbo.
That isn’t a promising room. I think Ingram is capable of holding down the fort but he’s aging, and someone else needs to be able to split the reps with him.
Tony Jones wasn’t the guy we thought he was after last season, but he also didn’t have a healthy offensive line so maybe we see an improvement there.
Dwayne Washington is primarily on special teams, but is capable of taking a few reps.
Abram Smith is a question mark, but to have faith in a UDFA is a stretch. Sean Payton put his faith in a few UDFA’s at skill positions last season and it didn’t play out well. I’m not saying Smith won’t be good, but you need to have other plans.
And for me Ozigbo is a practice squad guy you activate when you’re dealing with injuries.
If I were the Saints I’d try to target a few guys in trades and free agency. When Kamara does get suspended, I think the Saints should go to a ground and pound, physical run game team while Kamara is out. Don’t try to fill someone in his role of a receiver and running back. Stick to a physical run game that tires a defense out and allows the playmakers in the receiver room carry the workload.
I know there was a report or prediction saying the Saints should make that trade for Kareem Hunt and I’m not on board with it.
The Saints probably have to give up a third or fourth round pick for him while embracing his $6M cap hit to only split reps with Ingram for a few games. Once Kamara returns that trade value decreases.
Kenyon Drake is another guy whose name was thrown around to the Saints and unless the Saints trade away a fifth or a sixth round pick I’ll gladly stay away.
I’d be more appealing and satisfied with a simple free agent signing. There are still some quality backs out there and the Saints wouldn’t need to give up any draft or player capital.
The Saints did try out David Johnson in mini camp and couldn’t come to an agreement. But I fully expect the Saints to have him work out at one of the training camp practices.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Latavius Murray got a workout with the Saints during training camp or Carlos Hyde. Those are quality players who can split reps and fill in for a short period of time. Jalen Richard and Devonte Booker wouldn’t be bad options either. The Saints could go back to an old familiar face in Darius Victor, who was the USFL’s offensive player of the year. The only downside is his body will be worn out more so than other guys because he just played 11 full contact games.
For now though it’s a waiting game for Alvin Kamara and the Saints. We’ll know more on the running back room once training camp hits.
Until then that’s all I have for you on this matter, if you have any thoughts on the situation you can always leave a comment. If you made it this far, I hope you enjoy the rest of your day and thank you for your support!
Written by Kadin Janisch
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