Saints Cap Moves: $30,305,932 cap space ….. 8 restructures, 3 extensions, 3 pay cut, 1 release [All current cap moves are in OP below line]

SoggyBottomBoy said
I think the lack of adjustments in the second half of games grew worse as the injuries piled up. I couldn't tell if Kubiak wasn't good at countering second half adjustments or if he simply didn't have enough tricks in his bag to mask his depleted talent. He may simply be lacking in those adjustments at this point in his career. It's just so hard to evaluate anyone from most of last season.

I agree, it's a difficult eval and yet I'll point out. The 2nd half struggles first appeared in Week 3 vs PHI. We simply couldn't do anything after McCoy left, and yet it's worth pointing out because the rest of the roster was still healthy. Simultaneously it was also the 1st week we didn't have a commanding lead going into half-time. Prior to that there was no experience w/ the need to adjust so they were able to keep chopping wood perse

St. Widge said
That's certainly a valid point of view. My only caveat is that I do wonder at what point sitting and watching ceases to be useful and a guy just has to take snaps to be able to progress? I don't know if that time period is one year, two years, or more, but I suspect it depends on the QB.

IMO, and I could be wrong, it just looks like Rattler is at a point where he needs to be on the field taking snaps in order to learn more. But, again, I could be wrong.

Of course, it's easy to want to risk playing the young QB when my job isn't on the line like it is for Moore.

And that's a good point about a #1 WR or at least a #1 target. We don't have one and having one may be the best way to help a young QB. It's part of why I like Tet or Warren in the first.

It's a fine balance, but I think you have to consider 2 things that weren't optimal last year. Preferably I think Mahomes sat majority of his 1st year starting a single game in Week 16 or 17. He was handed the keys to a playoff team a year later. However, of note.....Mahomes was the #2 from Day 1. Meaning he didn't compete w/ anyone for snaps to start the season, he also didn't at any point get rushed onto the field w/ a depleted team.

Both of those things worked against Rattler. No doubt playing in those games helped, but the circumstances were less than favorable. I'll always point back to his biggest moment yet, to prove he could win a game, and it was vs WAS where he could have won us the game. Granted the playcalling didn't do him a favor, it was his opportunity to show he was a QB you could win because of..and he fell short of transcending the playcalling.

Going into this year w/ a season under his belt, and clear #2 snaps will help. Sitting for as long as he can while the team around him improves will also be another help, but if Carr can get us to the playoffs you let him. If he can't, or things collapse, I am not against putting Rattler back in and seeing what you have.

Mahomes was a 1st round QB...i think his floor was always higher. Rattlers floor was lower so leaving him in the oven a bit longer probably helps.