Saints HC Calls Derek Carr ‘Pretty F–king Good’ with Clean Pocket After Cowboys Win
Jack MurraySeptember 16, 2024
Sam Hodde/Getty Images
The New Orleans Saints feel good about the play of quarterback Derek Carr.
Following the Saints’ dominant 44-19 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2, head coach Dennis Allen praised Carr’s play and said that strong offensive line play has allowed him to reach another gear.
“He’s in a great spot,” Allen said, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. “He’s really comfortable with what he’s being asked to do. He knows he doesn’t have to do everything. There’s been so many times in his career where it’s all been on his shoulders, how he plays, getting everybody in the right play call, the right checks, the right protections, the right everything. We’ve put a little bit more of the pressure on us as coaches to put the proper game plan together and free him up to play the game.
“I think you see when he’s protected and he’s got clean pockets to throw from, he’s pretty f—ing good.”
Carr went 11-of-16 for 243 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s victory. This came after another strong performance in Week 1 when he went 19-of-23 for 200 yards and three touchdowns in a 47-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.
The Saints have the offense to beat so far in 2024 and Carr is a huge reason why. He has shown poise in the pocket and allowed the passing and rushing games to excel.
He has shown strong ability in his career, with four Pro Bowl nods to show for it, but his 74-87 career record cast some doubts to his ability to life New Orleans to new heights.
His first season saw the team go 9-8 but now it looks like the Saints will be battling closely with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers once again for the NFC South division title.
New Orleans will hope to carry this momentum into its Week 3 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.