Kendre Miller Is Adapting To Saints Offense, Heat As Kamara Suspension Looms

As the possible suspension of their star running back is looming, New Orleans had a contingency plan named Kendre Miller.

New Orleans has anticipated the potential fallout from the Alvin Kamara Las Vegas incident for months.  Mickey Loomis needed a contingency plan should Commissioner Goodell suspend his All-Pro running back. Kendre Miller, 21, had speed, elusiveness, and talent that assistant general manager Jeff Ireland and his scouts were looking for in a running back.  On draft day, New Orleans selected Kendre Miller to strengthen its running backs room.  The TCU rusher joined free-agent signing Jamaal Williams, Eno Benjamin, and Ellis Merriweather as viable tailback options should the team lose Alvin Kamara due to an NFL suspension.

No one is Alvin Kamara, but Miller has a "Kamara-like" skillset. It was a primary reason New Orleans drafted him should Kamara's absence becomes more prolonged than expected.  Miller sat out rookie camp and offseason training activity with New Orleans in observation mode.  Since the opening day of training camp, he's been tossed into the fire, or New Orleans heat (which could be worse), while prepping for his chance.

Jun 13, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (25) looks on during minicamp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints running backs Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and Kendre Miller; Credit: USA Today Sports

Oct 22, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Kendre Miller (33) celebrate scoring a touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats in the fourth quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 22, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Kendre Miller (33) celebrate scoring a touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats in the fourth quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Kendre Miller (33) against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

"Throwing me in the fire and just coming straight in the training camp. It's definitely difficult," Miller shared with the media.  "First of all, getting used to the heat and the workload condition because I've been out for a little minute.   But just coming every day with a positive attitude and earning from the vets, AK, and Jamaal has kind of been the biggest thing. But, every day is just stacking for days me."

The camp video has revealed Kamara tutoring the rookie ball carrier before and after drills, especially on route running, which is a crucial element of the Saints' offensive strategy.  "TCU, they didn't really use me in the passing game that much.  Obviously, here, I'm kind of excited because, we [running backs] get the ball a whole lot more in the passing game." 

Miller is learning to read coverages and applying the techniques to "catch the ball in space and make a play," much like Kamara.  "It's something I've kind of had.  But not like I said, in college, I couldn't show it a whole lot. In the offseason, when I got cleared, I was working on a lot of that stuff.  Just watching them in OTAs and different things, different routes they ran.  So, I kind of started, got a little head start on it to start working on it."

If an NFL rusher hopes to become "an every-down running back," he must understand protecting the quarterback.  Today, the Saints worked on their third-down packages.  "I feel like I'm adapted to how we pick up blitzes here and the protections and how our defense runs different things.  But overall, I kind of developed at the end of my career in college picking it up faster. Here, you don't have a choice but to learn it fast."

His abilities have especially caught the eye of his head coach Dennis Allen. Kendre Miller is on the fast track to become a contributor in the New Orleans offense, and he's handling the accelerated pace well, with some help from Kamara.  "Alvin gives you the big tips," Miller shared.  "Not not only on the field but off the field.  You know, he's a great dude...Alvin's routes are phenomenal to watch...to me he's the best running back route-runner in the league."

Although Alvin Kamara met with Roger Goodell to lessen the blow of a long-term suspension, Miller and free-agent acquisition Jamaal Williams will work together to fill the void left by a Kamara suspension.  Expect a considerable dose of Kendre Miller in various packages during New Orleans' first preseason contest versus the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, Aug. 13. It's a critical audition for Kendre Miller.  And one the Saints hope will pay off in the upcoming season and beyond.