Saints Hall Of Fame Quarterback Outlines Team's Troubles
The outcome of the Jacksonville Jaguars game could provide answers or bring changes for the New Orleans Saints. On Monday, Bobby Hebert, a Saints Hall of Famer, outlined several troubling elements of their defeat to the Texans during his WWL radio broadcast with Steve Geller.
"Very disheartening," Hebert told Geller. "I would say right now, beyond the pace, when you think they're going to win, they're not going to win. And then when you think, oh, they're not going to win. They're not going to beat the Jags on Thursday night, then they go win."
Oct. 15, 2023; Derek Carr leading the final drive against the Houston Texans; Credit: Kyle A. Mosley, Saints News Network
The inconsistency has been a common theme in New Orleans during the past two seasons under Dennis Allen as the head coach and Pete Carmichael, the Saints' embattled offensive coordinator. After the loss, Michael Thomas and Derek Carr noted it was on the player's shoulders to execute and communicate better on the field.
However, the Cajun Canon pointed out several areas of concern in the loss to Houston:
- Saints' defensive performance in the first half.
- Frustration with the offense's inability to score more than 13 points.
- Concerns about the team's overall performance and potential win-loss record.
- The Saints struggle in the red zone.
- Uncertainty about Dennis Allen's potential as a head coach.
- Comparing the value of Derek Carr and Andy Dalton as quarterbacks.
- Expressing disappointment with the running game's performance.
- Mentioning injuries on the offensive line but stating that the running game has consistently underperformed.
A probable resolution within the New Orleans offensive strategy inside the red zone is to emphasize using the tight ends. Juwan Johnson has missed significant time due to a calf injury, but Jimmy Graham and Foster Moreau are relegated to mere figureheads.
Could anyone of Jimmy Graham's size and knowledge of getting into the endzone help a struggling NFL team? Yes, if it's not more than to be a decoy. In Sunday's game, Graham has 14 snaps. However, Moreau was lined up on offense 39 times (48%) and amassed 33 yards on four catches.
The running game received good news as running back "Jamaal Williams has been designated to return from injured reserve," per John Hendrix. It's uncertain if he will return on Thursday night in Caesars Superdome as the team hosts the Jaguars, but his presence is required to complement Alvin Kamara.
Losing in Houston rekindled the argument of who's a better quarterback, Derek Carr or Jameis Winston, who the fans in the Who Dat Nation. Hebert mentioned Andy Dalton's name: "But as far as quarterback, Derek Carr, yeah, we threw for a lot of yardage, but we might as well have kept Andy Dalton. I mean, when you look bang for your buck and money value, is Derek Carr worth that much more than Andy Dalton? But that might leave you, to to to be on, judge, on that one."
For the moment, with Demario Davis, Ryan Ramczyk, and James Hurst failing to practice for a second-straight day ahead of the Jacksonville contest, it makes you wonder if we could see a repeat performance of Sunday by the Saints.
Nevertheless, Week 7 is crucial for the coaches and team to right the ship either or start (not consider) making changes. The trade deadline is Oct. 31. Could we see players entering the fold or leaving for greener pastures?
We shall see.
