Derek Carr feels much more comfortable heading into Year 2 with the New Orleans Saints than last season. The Saints switched offensive coordinators, but Carr spoke to the “organization, the city, the team” as sources of strength for him.
“I thought being in the league 10 years, it would happen faster. That didn’t really matter,” Carr expressed. “You change organizations and there’s a learning curve.”
Carr thanks his teammates for helping him get through the acclimation process a year ago, and says he’s more comfortable this year. Now they’re doing team bonding, including “a whole bunch of guys at the house, cooking them steaks.”
That struggle was reflected in not being on the same page with some receivers early in the season. The system is different, but understanding some of the tendencies of your teammates is still valuable. It will help in timing and ball placement. As much as Carr’s gotten to know them, his teammates have gotten to know him. There should be an all around growth in trust and comfort.
Born in Bakersfield, Calif., Carr is very comfortable with camp being in Southern California. While some players may have to get adjusted, this is just a return home for Carr. This is an added layer of comfort for Carr in his second season with the Saints. Walking into a new season, Carr will benefit from as much comfort as possible.
This year will be important for Carr, and him feeling more comfortable heading into the year will hopefully allow him to start faster than last season