Kellen Moore, if you read this - sustain the percentage of snaps you had Kamara out wide (13.0%), mirror the Buffalo game in slot snaps (20.7%) and make Kendre Miller the primary runner and Kamara the 3rd down back and you'll have a recipe for using #41 in the most efficient way.
After a certain age I've identified a pattern of players reverting to what they were good at as rookies before becoming complete players.
Alvin's most efficient season as a player was his rookie year.
In 2017 22% of his snaps came from the slot and 19.9% came out wide. Mark Ingram was the primary ball carrier and pass blocker (42 snaps). Kamara saw just (14) pass blocking snaps as a rookie and managed 13 TD's in only 728 snaps.
Alvin is a sniper offensive weapon at this stage of his career, not a SMG
Let Kendre take his lumps in pass protection. What's the difference between Alvin missing a block and Kendre missing one?
Nothing because Rattler's shown an ability to escape pressure and play well (102.6 QB rating)
The Saints offensive ineptitude is dizzying. They can't score more than 18 points per game. The players they're leaning on offensively (Juwan/Olave) have contributed more to opposing teams scoring (two fumbles) than they've helped the offense score this season (two TD's).
Meanwhile, Kellen Moore and Rattler as a duo have failed to score enough points, especially in the redzone and that's ok, because the Saints have a cheat code in Taysom hill. He may not be the answer, but he's part of the solution
Taysom's only carry of the day went for a score, why was he never used again?
If you enjoy Arnold Palmer's you'll willingly admit the Saints offensive woes are a mixture of questionable playcalling and scheme and expected playmakers not making enough plays.
Heavy on the former because Moore was touted as an upgrade over Klint Kubiak.
Chris Olave's drops were of the not #1 WR variety. Even when he converted one of his better 50/50 balls, it turned into a forced fumbled. Olave isn't contributing to the Saints scoring with only one TD and following the fumble he's now actively contributing to his opponent's effort to score.
Olave isn't the guy the Saints' thought they were trading up for. Get something for him now and see what you have in Devaughn Vele, Mason Tipton, and Trey Palmer. Palmer and Vele in particular have shown an ability to play above the rim and make contested catches, with Vele having the length that would give Rattler a bigger perimeter target.
Cornerback play. Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley are still growing but they were out talented by Kayshon Boutte and Stephon Diggs in 1 on 1 situations. The Patriots duo combined for 8 catches 121 yards and 2TD's. What's the primary reason for concern?
Bucs: Mike Evans, Chris Evans, Emaka Egbuka.
Panthers: Tet McMillan, Xavier Legette.
Falcons : Drake London, Darnell Mooney
Random Thought: As close as this game was there's no reason to finish with more passes (26) than runs (23) when Kamara, Miller, Taysom, and Rattler are all playmakers with their feet.
Random Thought II: Patriots corner gets injured and a backup comes in the game. Kellen you have to attack him there! Line up Olave across from him and make him prove he belongs. Instead, Brandin Cooks was the WR and the play design didn't have Rattler look that direction.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kellen Moore's staff and coaching haven't proven to be an upgrade over Dennis Allen's staff; there I said it. On the other hand, Kellen is the youngest coach in the NFL and so he's still growing as a head coach, patience is warranted.
Where patience isn't warranted is the offensive struggles.
Using similar logic applied last year to Dennis Allen and his defense, you can't struggle on the side of the ball that's your expertise when you're a head coach.
Scoring under 20 points a game isn't enough and as it stands that's a Moore and Rattler issue, despite Rattler playing arguably the best game of his career.
