Alvin Kamara knows there'll be a difference in leadership this season. It's an inevitability after the retirement of Drew Brees.
The running back is less vocal and leads by example, he said after the first day of training camp practice.
“My leadership, I’m not as much of a vocal leader as Drew was. I think I lead by example and then, like, I don’t know how to explain it," Kamara said. "I think everybody understands my leadership style.”
Kamara, in his 5th NFL season, has been on the roster longer than any active skill position player with Michael Thomas on the PUP list as he rehabs from June surgery. At the WR position, specifically, there are three key players in Tre'Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harris that are still on rookie deals.
“Obviously he’s not here no more and guys are looking to be led by somebody," Kamara said. "Me coming in, I would be misleading everybody to trick myself into believing that I need to be Drew to lead this team. I think my biggest thing is just focusing on being me and how I lead and doing that every day. … I don’t think it’s hard, it’s just guys are looking for guys that are doing the right thing and guys that know what’s going on. And I feel like I know what’s going on, I’ve been here a while. That’s all it is."
Related
WHO LEADS THE PREGAME CHANT?
Demario Davis wouldn't commit to taking over the full-time gig as the Saints' pre-game hype man, but Terron Armstead wasn't quite as coy.
"I say ... to be determined," Davis said when asked, "just to keep the anticipation."
When Armstead was asked the same question, he was quick to defer that job to Davis. The fiery linebacker took on those responsibilities when Brees was out with injury.
"That's not me, we've got DD. DD's been doing it for the last couple years. Him and Drew started to tag-team. They was like LeBron and D-Wade with it. So, now D-Wade retired and DD gonna take over. He's gonna lead the team."
Related
DO THE SAINTS NEED WR HELP? TRE'QUAN SAYS NO
With Michael Thomas likely out as he recovers from surgery and news emerging that Deonte Harris was arrested earlier this month and will likely be suspended, a common thread is that the Saints could use an extra set of hands (or three) at wide receiver. Saints GM Mickey Loomis challenged that media assessment in his Tuesday press conference, and one of the players tasked with taking over those responsibilities was on the same page.
"We feel very confident in ourselves as players and as competitors that we can compete with any other team, go against any DBs we line up against," said Tre'Quan Smith. "We’re not scared of nobody."
Payton said on Wednesday that there were other pressing needs, including an outside corner, ahead of wide receiver at this point. The team did debut it's most recent signing, veteran wide receiver Chris Hogan, who wore No. 80. It's unknown if the Saints will continue to bring in receiver depth, or if they'll look to players like rookie Kawaan Baker of Ty Montgomery to work in with Smith, Marquez Callaway and other regular contributors.
"We feel like we don’t need anybody," Smith said. "But if they feel like somebody can help, we’re going to welcome them."
Related
