METAIRIE, Mo. (AP) – Cornerback Marshon Lattimore and running back Alvin Kamara were absent from the New Orleans Saints' opening set of offseason voluntary practices, prompting coach Dennis Allen to skip those two star players. He walked a fine line when talking about this.
“Look, I always want to be 100 percent involved,” Allen said Tuesday. “I know why people who aren’t here aren’t here, some of it for personal reasons, some of it personal choice.
“Once they get here, we're going to welcome them with open arms,” Allen added.
Allen noted that Lattimore has been the subject of trade speculation “outside the building,” and said he recently had “productive” discussions with the club's highest-paid defenseman, so far. He said he expects to continue wearing a Saints uniform next season. .
“I felt like it was time for him and I to have a conversation, and it was a positive conversation,” Allen said.
But Allen doesn't expect to see Lattimore practice before mandatory minicamp begins June 13.
“I don't think that's unusual,” Allen said, noting that Lattimore missed voluntary practice last season.
“I know he's working hard. He's putting himself in the best shape he can be,” Allen said.
Lattimore had five interceptions in 2017 and was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year. In the past two seasons combined, Lattimore has missed 17 games due to injury, with two interceptions.
Kamara was the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2017. He's coming off a lackluster season by his standards. His 694 yards rushing were the lowest of his career, and his 466 yards receiving were the second-fewest of the season.
But he still managed to gain over 1,100 yards and six touchdowns from scrimmage in 13 games.
Kamara, like Lattimore, has also missed voluntary practice over the past few seasons. However, the Saints now have a new offensive coordinator in Clint Kubiak. His plan represents a departure from the offense that former coach Sean Payton and former coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. (a Payton protege) ran during Kamara's previous seven NFL seasons.
Allen said Kamara's absence “could pose some challenges” now that Kubiak is introducing new plays.
But Allen also emphasized that teams need to respect the personal considerations that influence players' decisions about whether to participate in voluntary offseason practices.
“He's able to train and prepare himself, and he's prepared and ready when the time comes,” Allen said. “For me as a coach, I’ve come to trust that that’s what he’s doing.
“Every year, players go through different stages in their lives and then they start encountering different things that attract them in some way,” Allen said. “We need to understand that, but I still think it's important that our players are here.”
Veteran running back Jamaal Williams also sat out, with second-year running back Kendre Miller earning first-team snaps.
Saints quarterback Derek Carr, a 10-year NFL veteran in his second season with New Orleans, said he has seen the benefits of team-building and learning a new offense during voluntary workouts, but declined to criticize his departing teammates.
“At quarterback, you work on everything. But obviously we have guys that are going to prepare in other ways,” Carr said. “Even if we have guys that aren't here, I feel comfortable because I think they're mentally prepared.”
Another notable absence was more expected: starting right tackle Ryan Ramczyk. He underwent knee surgery in the offseason and may not be able to play at all next season. Allen said Ramczyk's status could become more clear by training camp.
In the meantime, Allen said he is looking to fill three spots on the offensive line. Tagliese Fuaga, a rookie right tackle from Oregon State who was selected by the club in the first round of this year's draft, plays left tackle. Trevor Penning, a 2022 first-round draft pick, started five games at left tackle last season before being benched, but is currently practicing at right tackle.
“That's the direction we're looking at right now,” Allen said. “One of the reasons I think we might put (Penning) on the right side…is that it's a complete blank slate. It's a different position. It's a different (offensive) coaching staff. Another plan.”
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