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

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Saints Pregame: Domecoming vs Falcons

By Matt Miguez • October 5, 2026
Twenty years ago, the city of New Orleans was forever changed. The "Rebirth" game when the Superdome reopened after Hurricane Katrina was more than a football game already. However, when Steve Gleason blocked the first punt of the game and it was returned for a touchdown, everyone in the building knew it was over.

Recap: LSU Pummels McNeese in Non-Conference Game

By Chrissy Smith • October 5, 2026
BATON ROUGE -- No. 11 LSU did exactly what it was supposed to do Saturday night — and then some. The Tigers dominated McNeese from the opening whistle, rolling to a 63-14 victory inside Tiger Stadium while putting together one of the most productive offensive performances in school history. LSU finished with 731 yards of total offense , the second-most in a single game in program history. The Tigers also ran 101 offensive plays, setting a new school record. For head coach Lane Kiffin, though, the night was about more than piling up points against an FCS opponent. Kiffin Wants LSU Playing Its Standard LSU led 35-0 at halftime and had every reason to take its foot off the gas. Kiffin chose not to. When asked about using a running clock in the second half, Kiffin said LSU needed to continue playing its game. “You play the game and we decide when the game’s over, by the way that we play, and how physical that we play,” Kiffin said. That mentality showed up throughout the night. Even with the game firmly in hand, LSU continued to play with energy and gave plenty of younger players valuable snaps. Kiffin said the number of plays was particularly important because the Tigers will need that depth during the stretch ahead. “A lot of snaps for guys,” Kiffin said. “The goal was to get (that up) to evaluate those guys because they are going to need to play with the injuries we have down the stretch.” Offense Finds Plenty of Contributors Quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 18 of 23 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns, while Corey Barber Jr. caught two touchdown passes. The running game was just as impressive. Harlem Berry rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown, while Stacy Gage added 110 yards and two touchdowns. Five different Tigers — Berry, Dilin Jones, Gage, Landen Clark and freshman defensive tackle Deuce Geralds — scored rushing touchdowns. Geralds' touchdown was particularly memorable. Kiffin joked afterward that he had checked with LSU historian and former Tiger Anthony “Booger” McFarland to determine whether anyone had previously recorded a sack and offensive touchdown in the same game. Kiffin said Geralds now holds the record outright. After a 35-6 victory over Texas A&M last week, LSU has now put together back-to-back dominant performances. The competition gets much tougher from here. But Saturday night showed that LSU has plenty of players capable of making plays — and Kiffin is making sure they understand the standard doesn't change simply because the opponent does. LSU is 4-1 and now turns its attention to Kentucky next Saturday on the road.
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