The New Orleans Saints jumped at the opportunity to add Clyde Edwards-Helaire to the practice squad, head coach Darren Rizzi says their interest goes back years.
In speaking to the press about their recent running back addition, Rizzi spoke of the Saints’ thoughts on him coming out of college and says the signing had nothing to do with Alvin Kamara’s injury.
“I loved him when he was back at LSU,” Rizzi said. “Studied him a lot coming out. He was high on our draft boards. Just always kind of kept an eye on him. We had the opportunity, when they waived him, to get him on the practice squad. I know it looks like very coincidental with Alvin, it really had nothing to do with that. We just wanted to get the player in the building.”
Edwards-Helaire was a local legend in college, playing a large role in the dream 2019 season for the LSU Tigers. He had 1,867 yards and 17 touchdowns from scrimmage that year, getting the job done in every phase.
New Orleans never really had a chance to draft the small running back. The Kansas City Chiefs took him at the end of the first round. Those are very big expectations for a back and Edwards-Helaire never really met them.
He battled injuries and inconsistencies for the Chiefs, but did have some flashes of what he showed in college. Perhaps a new environment and offense could lead to him finally breaking out.
