How Derek Carr was doomed from the start of the game vs. Bucs
it surprised a lot of folks when Derek Carr got the start in Week 4 for the Saints. Dealing with an AC joint sprain, the veteran played through the injury, but it did not go swimmingly. Unfortunately, Carr was doomed from he start of the game when you look at his passing chart from Next […]
it surprised a lot of folks when Derek Carr got the start in Week 4 for the Saints. Dealing with an AC joint sprain, the veteran played through the injury, but it did not go swimmingly.
Unfortunately, Carr was doomed from he start of the game when you look at his passing chart from Next Gen Stats.
It's clear that the Saints offensive game plan was to attempt to attack the Bucs defense with quick passes. The issue was that the play-calling lacked options in the middle of the field. That's where the Bucs defense has been weakest in the passing game, and the Saints ignored that.
Less than half of an air yard per completion is unacceptable, and part of that blame does go on Carr.
That being said, it seems as though the Saints staff wanted to protect Carr and his injury as much as possible.
From Carr's comments before the game, that's the event he wanted to avoid if he played. New Orleans did not get that memo apparently, though, so their best offensive line performance of the season went to waste.
One play also stood out as an embarrassing choice by OC Pete Carmichael Jr. He called a reverse where an injured Carr was eye bait for the defense. Of course, that didn't work. Tampa knew he would not have the ball in that situation.
All in all, Carr was seemingly doomed before the first snap of the game.
