Fans saw a quick New Orleans Saints start to this past season. Dennis Allen led his side to a quick 2-0 start. Derek Carr was playing well, and the offense was clicking. Unfortunately for them, the year took a horrific turn for the worse following their Eagles’ loss. Consequently, the franchise moved on from the head coach, and they earned a top-10 pick through their play. But there is a fresh perspective in the building, and the city will hope to see improvement. The pairing that is leading the way for now actually met before, but not in the way many would initially expect.
It’s essential to get the HC and quarterback pairing right. This is particularly true when the playcaller is one and the same person. Understanding and viewing the game the same way is important. But with Kellen Moore’s young age for his position, he and his quarterback have something of a unique history together.
2011 saw both the current New Orleans Saints coach and current signal-caller step foot on the field together at the collegiate level, as mentioned by Ian Rapoport on X. Except on that day they were opponents. Carr suited up for Fresno State, as Moore competed with Boise State. The Broncos would go on to see a 57-7 victory on that day. At the time, the Idaho-based team was a top-10 ranked school in the nation.
The scoreline here isn’t the aspect worth focusing on. Moore was fortunate to be on a better-skilled roster at that time. But this illustrates how similar the two, at the time, players are and should bode well in the event that the New Orleans Saints franchise elects to stick with Carr for the time being.
Potential room for hope for the New Orleans Saints fanbase
These two will be able to relate better and more directly to each other’s experience. Furthermore, coach Moore’s strength is in the passing game. He’s had varying degrees of success as offensive coordinator in his previous stints.
However, he was able to push the right buttons to unlock Jalen Hurts as the year went on. After all, Philadelphia did just win a Super Bowl. He’ll now be tasked with squeezing the most out of an aging QB. More importantly, he’ll need to attempt to replicate a similar level of O-line play as what he oversaw with the Eagles.
Most have Carr as a mid-level quarterback. But as mentioned, before injuries and the constant pressure, this New Orleans Saints offensive unit was playing like one of the better ones in the league. It will be a tough task ahead, but something like this could show how the 36-year-old is potentially best positioned to make a difference in ‘The Big Easy.’