Malcolm Brown is new to New Orleans, but he feels just at home in the south -- and that'll be particularly true on the Caesars Superdome turf.
The veteran running back grew up in Biloxi and starred at the University of Texas. He still has family in Mississippi, many of whom are Saints fans.
“It’s smooth, man, feels amazing," Brown said after his first day at training camp practice. "New team, new start in the Big Easy. … I’m excited to go.”
Brown was a late addition to the team this offseason, showing well in a tryout and landing a spot on the roster to compete in a RB room with depth concerns. But the team got a close look at Brown while he was a member of the L.A. Rams for 6 seasons, before spending last year with the Dolphins.
The 29-year-old has faced off with the Saints three times (2016, 2018 and 2019). It was in the 2018 matchup that he made his biggest impression, taking a dumpoff pass out wide for his only touch of the game, and making safety Marcus Williams whiff before tip-toeing the sideline for a wild touchdown. The Saints would go on to win the game 45-35, with Michael Thomas pulling a cell phone out for a Joe Horn-esque celebration. The play remains Brown's lone receiving TD in his career, while also scoring 12 of the rushing variety.
“I ain’t gonna lie, that’s probably the No. 1 [highlight] right there," he said. "So I got a little history in the Superdome."
Brown was placed on injured reserve later in that season and didn't participate in the NFC Championship later that season, otherwise known as the no-call game.
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The well-traveled back will compete in a running back room headlined by Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, with Dwayne Washington, Devine Ozigbo, Tony Jones Jr. and UDFA Abram Smith filling out the rest of the depth chart. With Kamara facing a potential suspension and Mark Ingram entering his age-32 season, that depth could become vital throughout the season.
Brown said the Saints' winning culture and zone running scheme stood out to him, and his style works well with what the Saints are trying to do on offense. And he's not worried about a down year last season in which he only saw action in xx games for a scuffling Dolphins squad, and points to his tryout as evidence.
"I got leaner. I got stronger. I was ready, man. ... I just wanted to show them that what they’ve seen in the past from me hasn’t left," he said. "I tell people all the time I feel like I’m aging like wine. I’m getting better, man."
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