Week 4 AMA: Saints/Falcons Postgame (Ask Me Anything)
How much blame for the last 2 losses should be attributed to Derek Carr? Dennis Allen's playcalling?
Derek Carr--not much. I think he's done what he's been asked to do and even mounted a good 2 minute drive last game.
I like to give coaches the benefit of the doubt (for obvious reasons), and I am not of the "DA is garbage" camp by any means... but his game management these past 2 games has been very lacking. Not kicking field goals in the red zone proved to be the difference against the Eagles--who, by the way, arguably managed the game more poorly than the Saints, but the Saints didn't capitalize on those errors.
Against the Falcons--listen, that Shaheed play was inexcusable and a backbreaker and frankly out of character for him. I doubt it'll happen again. The Carr int.--well, that was just a great play by the defense. On the 2nd to last possession I'd have kicked the field goal but I get where DA's head was at.
Paulson Adebo also played really poor situational football (on multiple snaps). Forgot his technique at the worst possible moments and that P.I. is up there with the other f-ups.
In short: 1) Carr is most definitely not blame, 2) the OL is a big issue, 3) third down defense is also a problem (lump this in with Allen's play-calling) 4) Game-management.
Kubiak's play-calling I thought was an issue against the Eagles. It was very stubborn and rigid until it was too late. This game--I loved the lighter, spread looks to start (I pointed to the need for it in my last article). But once Taysom Hill is out, the offense loses a lot of juice.