With seven NFL seasons, 5,829 rushing yards, 4,219 receiving yards, a franchise record 54-rushing touchdowns and a franchise leading 78 touchdowns in 101 games in his past, Alvin Kamara’s present still includes treating himself to Airheads candy, a delight he helped shine a spotlight on during his magical rookie season.
But that possibly is one of the few vices Kamara clings to from the past.
The two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler is more interested in separating from the New Orleans Saints' recent past, which includes three consecutive non-playoff seasons after the Saints won the NFC South Division title in each of his first four seasons.
The sands in his career hourglass are trickling, and Kamara – like all of his veteran teammates – sees it. Season No. 8 for Kamara begins Sunday, when the Saints host Carolina in the regular-season opener in the Caesars Superdome.
"Man, it goes by fast," Kamara said Monday. "I know all of y'all remember 'Rookie Alvin' and now it's Year 8 and I'm like, damn, it flies. In 2017 I wasn't thinking I'd be sitting here; I'm like, the old dude now. And I'm telling everybody else, 'This ---- flies. It goes by quick.'
"I mean, it's a blessing, especially to be in the same place for so long. I was thinking about it last night: You put in a lot of work, a lot of sacrifice (and) to be able to still be doing it is amazing."
But there's an urgency nowadays, too. Not that there wasn't before, but career mortality pushes it to the forefront even move.
"I feel like there is no time to waste, because let's just say I'm at the halfway point, if I were to play 16 years," Kamara said. "Or 10 years, I'm on the back end of my career. I don't want to waste no time.
"I don't' want to sit here and say, 'I've got time, I've got time.' Ain't no time, so I'm trying to run it up. I'm trying to do what I can to have the most success. And in this league, we measure success by Super Bowls and playing in February. That's what I'm trying to get to."
After a couple of seasons of offensive decline for the unit, the hope for Kamara and the rest of the offense is a resurgence under first-year coordinator Klint Kubiak.
"I feel good about (the offense)," Kamara said. "We're all running the same plays in this league, it's just terminology. Some guys have different philosophies.
"You can ask Klint – I was annoying him during the preseason because I was hovering around him, trying to ask him, like, 'What you thinking? What you doing?' And he was, like, 'Man, get away from me, I'm trying to call the plays.'
"That's kind of what I'm used to, dealing with (former Saints quarterback) Drew (Brees), kind of did it with (former Saints coach) Sean (Payton) – just trying to be ahead and get into the mind of the play-caller.
"He's calling the play, so I try to be on the same page. That way, then I can kind of piggyback and catch his rhythm and then, I might see something that he might be thinking about or about to think about, and I can beat him to it."
Kamara has spent those seven seasons conjuring ways to beat opponents and remain productive but is looking for a resurgence himself: Last year, he was held to a career low in rushing yards (694) and yards per carry (3.9), his second-fewest receiving yards (466) and his second-fewest touchdowns (six) in 13 games.
That partly is where Kubiak and the new offensive staff come in, with innovation to help free up the Saints' all-time leader in yards from scrimmage (10,048).
"I think that's what they're here for," Kamara said. "I think that's what Klint is here for, I think that's what the rest of those guys are here for. That's what's expected, an increase in production.
"When you look at what they've been able produce, it's exciting. I think that's the best tell of what's to come in the future. Seeing what they've been able to do at other places and then it's still true. Hopefully, we'll do the same here."
KLINT ON THE SIDE: Coach Dennis Allen said he'd make the final call on whether Kubiak would call offensive plays from the coaching booth or sideline during games, but there's at least one vote for Kubiak being on the sideline. And, perhaps, a hint as to Kubiak's preference.
"I liked him (on the sideline)," Kamara said. "I asked him, too. I was like, 'What are you thinking?' He was like, 'I ain't ever leaving the sideline.' Hopefully he's on the sideline."
HOUSING REPORT: Kamara has put a house on the market, but said conclusions shouldn't be drawn from the move. While his house is for sale, he's staying with a friend.
"I would like to call myself a serial entrepreneur," he said. "I dabble in many things, real estate being one of them. I think it was a good financial decision to list my house.
"My brother is a real estate agent, also. I wouldn't say that I had an exact plan, but I'm pretty intentional when it comes to those moves that I make in real estate."
NO GAY: Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. was not on the field for the portion of practice media was able to see. Allen said the absence was injury related; the first official injury report will be released Wednesday.
