The Bucs go to New Orleans in Week 2 of the 2022 season, which represents an opportunity to snap their seven-game common season dropping streak to the Saints. And when Tampa Bay rolls into city, it might be going through a crew with out certainly one of its high offensive playmakers.
Saints working again Alvin Kamara is in line for a six-game suspension from the NFL, Professional Soccer Speak reported Thursday night time. Kamara was arrested in Las Vegas following the Professional Bowl earlier this 12 months. He faces felony battery fees, and below the league’s Private Conduct Coverage, the baseline punishment for such fees is a six-game suspension.
The Professional Soccer Speak report notes, nonetheless, that the present query isn’t if Kamara will obtain a six-game suspension — it’s when. The NFL often waits to take motion as soon as the authorized course of is over. Kamara’s listening to isn’t till subsequent August.
The report additionally states that as a result of he’s going through a felony cost, Kamara might be paced on paid go away pending the decision of the case. As soon as the case is resolved, he might nonetheless face that six-game unpaid suspension.
So, Kamara and the Saints are in wait-and-see mode. Meaning, in a means, the Bucs are, too.
Bucs Have Dealt with Kamara Properly In Latest Years
As dynamic as Kamara has been all through his profession, Tampa Bay’s protection below Todd Bowles has managed to take care of him pretty nicely. The Bucs have misplaced seven straight common season video games to the Saints, however the former Tennessee Volunteers working again hasn’t actually been the explanation why.
2019
Saints RB Alvin Kamara – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Within the first 2019 assembly between the 2 groups, Kamara ran for 62 yards on 16 carries (3.9 avg.). He additionally caught six of his seven targets for 42 yards (7.0 avg.). That’s greater than 100 whole yards, however he didn’t attain the top zone. Within the second 2019 assembly, he posted 75 yards on 13 carries (5.8 avg.) whereas catching all 10 of his targets for 47 yards (4.7 avg.). He went over 100 whole yards as soon as once more, however he as soon as once more didn’t discover the top zone.
2020
Within the 2020 season opener, Kamara discovered the top zone twice towards the Bucs. Solely this time, his yardage manufacturing was minimal. He ran for 16 yards on 12 carries (1.3 avg.) and caught 5 of his eight targets for 51 yards (10.2 avg). In a blowout win over Tampa Bay later that season, he ran for 40 yards and a landing on 9 rushes (4.4 avg.). He additionally caught 5 of his six targets, however for under 9 yards (1.8 avg.).
When the 2 groups met within the playoffs that season, the Bucs held Kamara to twenty receiving yards on three catches (6.7 avg.). He did run for 85 yards on 18 makes an attempt (4.7 avg.), however he failed to seek out the top zone as Tampa Bay ended New Orleans’ season en path to its Tremendous Bowl victory.
2021
Final 12 months, Kamara was largely handled by the Bucs. Within the first recreation between the 2 groups, he rushed for 61 yards and a landing on 19 carries (3.2 avg.) whereas catching simply three passes for 15 yards (5.0 avg.). Within the second recreation, he ran for 18 yards on 11 carries (1.6 avg.). He solely caught two passes for 13 yards (6.5 avg.) within the Saints’ 9-0 win.
Saints Have Crushed Bucs With out Kamara’s Greatest
Kamara has given New Orleans some stable manufacturing towards Tampa Bay through the years. However there have additionally been video games towards the Bucs wherein he was utterly ineffective. The actual fact is, for the Saints, it hasn’t mattered. Their capacity to close down Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay offense whereas profitable the turnover battle has been the important thing throughout the previous few years.
The Bucs are looking for solutions on the way to reverse their fortunes on this NFC South matchup. Cameron Brate thinks they should set up the run extra. Jamel Dean mentions slicing out errors and taking part in their ball. Regardless of the case could also be, Bowles and co. want to seek out solutions quick.
If Kamara is unavailable for Week 2, the Saints’ remaining backfield choices embrace Mark Ingram, Tony Jones, Jr., Devine Ozigbo, Dwayne Washington and rookie Abram Smith.
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