Saints' Thomas Criticizes Carr After Olave Injury: "He Needs to Protect His Guys"
The New Orleans Saints are reeling after a disappointing loss to the Carolina Panthers, with the injury to star wide receiver Chris Olave adding salt to the wound. Following the game, Saints safety Marcus Maye voiced his frustration with quarterback Derek Carr, specifically criticizing his lack of awareness and protection for his receivers.
"I just don't like seeing the way [Carr] throws the ball sometimes," Maye said. "He needs to protect his guys. Olave is a big part of our offense, and we need him healthy. He's going to be a special player, but you gotta be smart with the ball."
The incident in question occurred in the second quarter when Olave was attempting to make a catch across the middle, taking a significant hit from Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson. The play resulted in a concussion for Olave, who was forced to leave the game and is now considered day-to-day.
Maye's comments raise questions about Carr's ability to read the field and make the necessary adjustments to protect his receivers. While the play itself could be seen as a risky attempt, the level of scrutiny directed at Carr highlights the Saints' growing concerns about his leadership and decision-making on the field.
"We're all frustrated," said Maye. "We're losing games, and injuries are piling up. It's tough, but we gotta keep fighting. We have a lot of talented players on this team, and we're confident we can turn things around."
The Saints will need to find a way to overcome the loss of Olave, a key contributor to their offensive success. This setback underscores the importance of offensive line play and quarterback decision-making, both of which have been areas of concern for the Saints in recent weeks.
While Carr has defended his play, stating he is always trying to "make the best throw" for his receivers, the criticism from teammates like Maye reveals a growing rift within the team. Whether this tension can be resolved, and the Saints can find a way to regain their momentum remains to be seen.
Looking forward, the Saints will need to:
- Address the offensive line concerns to better protect their players, especially the valuable receivers.
- Increase communication and trust between Carr and his receivers to minimize risk and optimize play-calling.
- Find ways to replace Olave's production while he recovers from the concussion.
The upcoming weeks will be critical for the Saints' season, and it remains to be seen if they can overcome these challenges and emerge as a contender in the NFC South.