Derek Carr is NOT The Problem

It is extremely easy to look at the Saints disappointing season, and immediately cast blame on the newest addition to the team, Derek Carr. However, when looking at the numbers, Carr is not the one who Saints fans should be blaming.

Derek Carr was brought into the team with no expectation of being spectacular. If the Saints could rely on their elite defense, a mid-tier quarterback should have been enough to get them out of the worst division in football, and win a playoff game at home. Carr is 15th in passing yards, 13th in passing touchdowns, 13th in TD/INT ratio, all behind a bottom 10 ranked offensive line. He has easily been the best quarterback this team has had since Drew Brees, yet fans have immediately dragged his name through the mud.

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Should the Saints have won the NFC South? Absolutely. It's still possible, but the odds of them even making the playoffs are slim. It has been a disappointing season for sure, and although Carr has not been great, there is no statistical evidence supporting him being the problem. This was his first year in an entirely new system, and with new additions this upcoming offseason, the Saints will be a quiet threat in the NFC heading into next season.

So who should have the blame?

The main answer is Dennis Allen, the worst coach in the NFL. The Saints need someone who can get the best out of competitive veterans like Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. Someone who can motivate a team to give it 100% every snap. Someone who can make decisions that positively impact a team's offensive rhythm. Instead, they are left with good ol' Dennis Allen. His pregame speeches make Trevor Lawrence's look electric. He brings zero personality, fire, or energy, to the table, and most importantly, he has turned one of the most historically creative offensive franchises into the most predictable scheme in the league. It is embarrassing, and he has proven that he is nothing more than a defensive coordinator. If the Saints want to take the next step, they need to get rid of Dennis Allen.

Alvin Kamara also deserves some shame, as his nonchalant field presence and off-field issues have certainly contributed to the Saints misery. He is averaging less than 4 yards per carry, and has once again failed to reach the 1000 yard rushing mark for a season.

Lastly, the offensive line has played very poorly, which has contributed to troubles for both Carr and Kamara. Getting more pieces in the draft and staying healthy could greatly help the Saints going forward.