In last week’s game against the Jaguars, the Saints experienced some struggles on the field. Players were pointing fingers and it seemed like something was going wrong.
However, this week, the focus has shifted to the work that has been done to bring everyone together and address these growing pains.
Head coach Dennis Allen stated that the specifics of what needs to be done remain within the team, but he believes it’s time for these growing pains to come to an end as they head into Week Eight.
“I think it’s time for those to be done with,” Allen said, via the team’s website.
Dennis Allen: It's time for offensive growing pains to be over. https://t.co/TFVT3p3Tdn
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 26, 2023
One player who will play a central role in overcoming these obstacles is quarterback Derek Carr. He expressed confidence in how the team has utilized their time off to iron out the difficulties they’ve been facing in recent weeks.
Carr emphasized the importance of addressing the problems and finding solutions collectively, like true men.
“What’s your problem? What’s my problem? What’s our problem? How do we fix it? And be men about it,” Carr said. “I think the ultimate thing that I took away was I felt this unity in the last four or five days. This unity, this come-togetherness. We put it out there, we said what we needed to say and everyone felt good leaving the conversation. Every conversation was like, ‘That feels right. That feels right. Now, hold me to that. I’m going to hold you to that.’ I think it was super positive, I was super encouraged by it. We’re doing it together, and that’s what I love.”
However, all the positive words and unity mean nothing if the team’s performance doesn’t improve. The upcoming game against the Colts will be a crucial test for the Raiders.
They need to translate the discussions and newfound unity into on-field success.
