Saints’ usage of play action, motion skyrockets in Klint Kubiak’s first game

Derek Carr used play action significantly more in his first game under Klint Kubiak than he did in 2023. The results speak for themselves:


The New Orleans Saints hired Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator this offseason and changed schemes for the first time since Sean Payton was hired in 2006. The change in system directly impacts Derek Carr.

Kubiak’s system is most known for their run game concepts. We saw Alvin Kamara excel in Week 1 and easily could have toppled 100 yards rushing if he played the entire game.

Another new wrinkle is the emphasis on play action and pre-snap motion. This works hand in hand with the run game, and its effectiveness was on full display against the Panthers. Foster Moreau’s touchdown pass came off of play action. That’s a tool Carr has used well throughout his career but which Pete Carmichael was reluctant to embrace as the play caller last season.

In totality, Carr completed seven of his nine pass attempts after a play action fake for 58 yards. Most importantly, it resulted in four first downs and a touchdown. In Week 1, play action was used on 40% of Derek Carr’s dropbacks. That’s a huge jump from last year in which was slightly below 15%. It’s a prime example of how things are schematically different under Kubiak. Another one? Their use of pre-snap motion and shifts jumped by more than 38%. It’s a new day in New Orleans, and these changes might be enough to help them get back to the playoffs.

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