It's hard to sugarcoat it - the New Orleans Saints are facing some serious problems on the offensive side of the ball. After a dismal performance in their Week 4 loss at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it's becoming increasingly evident that changes are desperately needed to turn this ship around. The biggest question on everyone's mind: Is Dennis Allen willing to make those changes?
The heart of the issue lies with the Saints' offensive coordinator, Pete Carmichael. While Carmichael has been a fixture with the team for an impressive 15 seasons, his tenure as the primary play-caller has been less than stellar. For the majority of his time in that role, former Saints head coach Sean Payton was the one calling the plays. But since Payton's departure, Carmichael has been at the helm, and the results have been less than inspiring.
The frustration among fans is palpable, and it's not just in the stands. The body language of the players after the embarrassing loss to the Buccaneers spoke volumes. It's clear that they, too, are growing weary of the stagnant offense. When a team featuring talents like Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, and Chris Olave struggles to put points on the board, it's time to take a hard look at the coaching staff.
The numbers don't lie. In 2022, the Saints averaged a mere 19 points per game. Through four games in 2023, that average has dropped to a dismal 15 points per game. It doesn't matter who's under center – whether it's Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, or Derek Carr – they all seem to regress in Carmichael's offense. These quarterbacks, who have shown flashes of brilliance elsewhere, end up looking pedestrian at best in the Saints' system.
What's truly perplexing is the inability to utilize the incredible offensive weapons at their disposal. Kamara, Thomas, and Olave should be lighting up the scoreboard, but Carmichael appears to be at a loss when it comes to getting them into positions to make plays. It's time to ask, how many more games will the Saints lose before we see some accountability and a willingness to make changes?
Dennis Allen's passivity in the face of these struggles is equally concerning. Contrast his approach with that of coaches like Mike Tomlin, who is unafraid to take chances and make adjustments when his team is struggling. The contrast couldn't be starker. While the Steelers' head coach is proactive in addressing problems, Allen seems content to stand pat.
Keeping Pete Carmichael as the play-caller, game in and game out, will only serve to further erode the morale of the team. The dejected Alvin Kamara, who is known for his boundless enthusiasm, expressed his frustration after the Week 4 loss, saying, "Something has got to give because I hate losing." It's evident that the current state of affairs is taking a toll on the players, and their dissatisfaction is palpable.
Dennis Allen's unwillingness to see the obvious and make necessary changes raises doubts about his suitability as the head coach of this team. It's becoming increasingly clear that he might not be the right leader to guide the Saints through this challenging period. Fans, who have invested their time, money, and unwavering support into this franchise, are running out of patience.
If things continue down this path, it's only a matter of time before fans start to keep their money in their pockets instead of investing it in a team that seems reluctant to invest in its own success. The Saints are at a crossroads, and the time for change is now. Dennis Allen and Pete Carmichael need to step up, or the Saints' season could slip away before our eyes.
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