Bayou Boy: Derek Carr Rejuvenated

Ethen Meyers • September 24, 2023

Derek Carr

        Quarterback Derek Carr was California born, attended college in California, and wound up a pro on a California team. The Raiders may have packed up and went to Vegas, but it may have been around that time that Carr realized that not only were the Raiders due for a change of scenery, but maybe he was too. Carr lasted three seasons in Vegas before he found his way down to the bayou in hopes to revitalize his career, and give his former head coach in Dennis Allen the fair shake they thought they deserved his rookie year.

        We are only two games in, but I think one thing is ringing true, Derek Carr would have won a lot more games with even a mediocre defense. Sitting at 2-0 and looking at going head-to-head with a young inexperienced QB for the second week in a row, Carr is still looking to prove some doubters wrong. It feels like Carr is getting just as much hype as he is hate as some folks compare his first two games as a Saint to HOF Saints QB Drew Brees, while others do not consider him an upgrade over his current backup Jameis Winston. Either way you look at it, it feels like an unfair comparison, I am personally a big fan of letting a player be a player, and leave the comparisons at the door.

        I could throw stats at you, bore you with how he did this and that, but this isn't about that. This is about Derek Carr showing that not only does he want to play here, but it looks like he is loving his time here. When you bring a guy in to be the leader of your offense, that can go a whole lot further than just having some talent. The stats he has today will not be the stats he has tomorrow, and he can only get things like timing and in game decisions down by being in that beloved black and gold.

        A pro bowler 4 times one as recent as last year. Votes for league MVP in just his 3rd year. It feels crazy that he is somehow already 31, but also only 31. He has a lot of tread left on his shoulders and a lot of energy to give. Carr still has a lot to prove; a lot to prove to the fanbase that has embraced him, a lot to prove to the league, and a lot to prove to himself. Time will tell where Carr ranks as a Saints QB long term, but either way he is our QB1 and we are rocking with him.

-Ethen Meyers @BeInTheKneaux

A quick share helps us a lot!

Thunder @ Pelicans Takeaways

By Chrissy Smith • November 18, 2025
Team Stats (Thunder at Pelicans) Final Score: 126-109 Rebounds: 38-35 Assists: 30-21 Blocks: 5-4 Steals: 12-9 Turnovers: 16-20 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Chet Holmgren, 26; Jeremiah Fears, 24 Rebound Leaders: Chet Holmgren, 9; Derik Queen, 8 Assist Leaders: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 8; Jordan Hawkins, 6 My Player of the Game: Jeremiah Fears Chrissy's Key Takeaways * The ONLY good part about tonight's game was that no matter how far down the Pelicans got in the game, adjustments kept being made by James Borrego to help the home team go on some sort of run. * The Pelicans started off the game with two turnovers, when they knew the key to the game was to minimize turnovers. And then the Thunder scored 49 points in the first quarter because at one point, the Pelicans had more turnovers than shots taken . * Where is the pride in this team? Are they OK with making paychecks and looking pitiful against every team night after night? * The defense and turnovers have to improve or who knows when this team will win another game. * The Pelicans are now 2-12 on the season. Zion and Jordan Poole are still out with their injuries. Saddiq Bey was out tonight too with some kind of injury. Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.

Warriors @ Pelicans Takeaways

By Chrissy Smith • November 17, 2025
Team Stats (Warriors at Pelicans) Final Score: 124-106 Rebounds: 47-45 Assists: 34-22 Blocks: 5-4 Steals: 14-11 Turnovers: 21-19 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Moses Moody, 32; Trey Murphy III, 20 Rebound Leaders: Moses Moody, 8; Trey Murphy III, 8 Assist Leaders: Moses Moody, 10; Derik Queen, 6 My Player of the Game: Trey Murphy III Chrissy's Key Takeaways * This was James Borrego's first time as a head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans and his starting lineup had Derik Queen in it, which a lot of people were hoping to see. * This game did not have the outcome everyone was hoping for, especially now that Willie Green is gone, but to think Borrego will turn the team around in one game is unrealistic. * Zion needs to become available as soon as possible. Having him out is hurting this whole team. * With Zion and Jordan Poole being hurt, this season is already feeling like the past several seasons where we say, "Well if this team was healthy then they would be good." * Trey Murphy III is doing all he can and putting up great numbers but he cannot lead this team to victory alone. * The Pelicans take the court again in a back-to-back game on Monday, Nov. 16 at 7 pm against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.
Show More