The New Orleans Saints are a disheartening 2-6, after losing 26-8 to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The loss was New Orleans’ sixth in a row, as everything seems to be going wrong for the team right now.
As bad as things are, there are 10 weeks left in the season. Almost at the halfway point, the Saints know they need to pull it together, or the rest of the season will only get uglier. That may seem impossible, but if New Orleans has proved anything this year, it’s that things can always get worse.
Veteran running back Alvin Kamara is determined to keep that from happening, and he’s trying to do so with some brutal honesty. Following Sunday’s loss, Kamara spoke to media members from his locker, and he delivered a strong call out to the entire team.
When asked why things weren’t clicking, even though the team welcomed four starters back on Sunday, Kamara bluntly said, “I think we’re a team that’s not very focused on details right now; not very focused on execution.”
He continued on, explaining that when the Saints have been good, it’s because they care about the details. He doesn’t see that with New Orleans right now, and he’s trying to change that.
"I think we’re a team that’s not very focused on details right now; not very focused on execution. Not really taking pride in the details. We’ve been good around here because our details were on point. We always had pride in those things… there’s something in the details that gets it done, and transversely, gets you beat."Alvin Kamara
Alvin Kamara says Saints aren’t focused on details and execution
Kamara made it clear that he wasn’t pointing the finger at any one person, instead just saying what he sees right now. What he sees is a lot of people that can do better, including himself. The veteran running back said his evaluations always start with him first, pointing out that he should’ve caught the ball on the third down late in the game, near the red zone.
He’s not avoiding accountability, and he’s going to make sure his teammates aren’t either. Kamara said he’s going to get with all the other leaders in the locker room and have honest conversations about what they’re all seeing, and what needs to be done for things to change.
He believes all the issues can be corrected by players, but they must first discuss everything openly, and figure out the best path forward to make those corrections. These discussions will either lead to an elite second half of the season, or they will be too little too late.