How to fix the Saints

Chris Nalls • October 2, 2023

Listen, it is time we face the truth. The Saints are good on paper but don't show it on the field. The offense could be better, and quarterback Derek Carr has only thrown for a total of two touchdowns in four games. Now, not all the blame is on Carr, however. Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael needs to improve in play calling. What is it precisely that the New Orleans Saints need to do? Glad you asked. Let's take a look at a few options.

Let's start with the quarterback position. There is little the Saints can do now with Carr. They will have to ride it out all season, but it is time to start looking at drafting a franchise quarterback. The Saints have ignored the quarterback position in the early draft rounds, and that has to change this year. When the Saints traded up to select Marcus Davenport and bypassed Lamar Jackson, it set this franchise back. Imagine having Lamar behind center instead of Carr. This year's quarterback draft class is loaded with many great options.

There are so many quarterbacks the Saints need to explore. You have Caleb Williams, Jordan Travis, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy, and Quinn Ewers. The Saints have to look at one of these many franchise-changing quarterbacks. The Saints won't get Caleb Williams, but you have to list him in case the Saints get crazy and try to make a trade for him, which is highly unlikely. Once they draft their guy, let him sit and learn behind Carr since he is signed to a massive contract for the next two years. It all starts with having a franchise quarterback. The roster is rarely young at the skills positions. You have wide receiver Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, running back Kendre Miller, and tight end Juwan Johnson. Insert a quarterback and boom, the Saints are back on top of this division.

Another issue the Saints have that needs to be addressed is firing head coach Dennis Allen and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. Dennis Allen has never been that great of a head coach, and the Saints wanted someone familiar from the Sean Payton era to keep the magic alive. Unfortunately, Allen is a much better defensive coordinator than he is head coach. Now, Pete Carmichael needs to be fired immediately. The Saints have only scored 20 points this season once. You will not survive in the NFL, scoring at most 20 points.

There are a few coordinators the Saints should go after as head coach. Below are a few

Eric Bieniemy - Commanders Offensive Coordinator

Ben Johnson- Lions Offensive Coordinator

Ken Dorsey-Bills Offensive Coordinator

These three stand out to me and could be viable options for the Saints next season. What Bieniemy is doing with Sam Howell at the quarterback position and putting the Commander's offense in place to win games is something the Saints desperately need. Johnson and Dorsey, well, look at those offenses. The Lions are 3-1 on the season, and Jared Goff looks like he did when he played for the Rams. The Bills are doing what the Bills do: win and score many points.

Regarding the offensive coordinator position, I would promote Doug Marrone for the rest of this season. Marrone is a former head coach who would fill in great for now. After the season, Saint would need to evaluate if they hire a new head coach. The time for change is this offseason period. Stop avoiding the inevitable and embrace it. The Saints need to get rid of the Sean Payton era. The only way to achieve this will be by drafting a franchise quarterback and hiring a new head coach. This will lay the foundation of a new era.

Be sure to follow on Twitter @TheChrisNalls

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NOLA Gold's win over Seattle secures 3rd place in the Major League Rugby Eastern Conference standings

By Tina Howell • April 28, 2025

After a weather-delayed kickoff, loyal NOLA Gold fans were treated to a rollercoaster of a match that ended with a well-earned 44-36 victory over the Seattle Seawolves at the Shrine. This win moved NOLA Gold into 3rd place in the Major League Rugby Eastern Conference standings. Coach Danny Lee said of the team's response to the delay, “We just had to control the controllables. Once we told the boys the definitive time for kickoff, we had a plan ready to go. In terms of game plan, we had to be a little bit more direct, and we had to kick and adapt quickly.” NOLA Gold set the tone early, taking an initial 3-0 lead thanks to a steady penalty kick from Dorian Jones. Though Seattle answered quickly with a try to make it 7-3, the Gold launched into a dominant scoring stretch. Isaac Te Tamaki powered across the try line to ignite the offense, followed by back-to-back tries from the relentless Jonah Mau’u. Jones continued to add points from the tee, stretching the Gold’s lead to 27-7. Just before halftime, the Seawolves found a breakthrough and scored at the buzzer, narrowing the margin to 27-14. However, NOLA emerged from the locker room with purpose. Xavier Mignot wasted no time reestablishing momentum with a try that pushed the lead to 34-14. Seattle fought back with intensity, capitalizing on back-to-back tries to bring the score to 34-24. But NOLA responded with composure, as Jones added another penalty to keep the visitors at bay, 37-24. The closing stages of the match saw both teams exchanging blows. Seattle’s try was met by a decisive moment from Joe Taufete’e, who muscled through defenders for a critical score. Luke Campbell’s conversion extended the lead to 44-29. Though Seattle scored one final try at the buzzer, it wasn’t enough. With a final score of 44-36, NOLA Gold walked away with a crucial five-point win in front of a roaring home crowd and strengthens their postseason hopes with a firm grip on 3rd place in the East. Their next match will be on the road against the San Diego Legion on May 4th at 4:00 PM CT. For tickets and more details, please visit www.nolagoldrugby.com

10th annual Covington Antiques and Uniques Festival

By Tina Howell • April 24, 2025

The 10th annual Covington Antiques & Uniques Festival will be held this Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, at the Covington Trailhead Museum. This two-day, juried festival features over 60 vendors offering an eclectic mix of antique furnishings, period collectibles, architectural salvage, and vintage-inspired fine crafts, as well as a live auction, car show, good food, music, and more. The Covington Heritage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to preserve the city’s culture, character and community. Founded in 2015, the festival is coordinated with the support of the City’s Department of Cultural Arts and Events. As the festival grows and evolves each year, their goal remains the same- to offer a first-class juried event that reflects the unique charm and history of the city of Covington. The festival is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. For more details, please visit https://www.covingtonheritagefoundation.com/