Tag: Carnival

Jameis Winston says he ‘would love to stay in NOLA forever’ ahead of free agency

Jameis Winston says he ‘would love to stay in NOLA forever’ ahead of free agency. The Saints quarterback has found a lot of love in New Orleans:

There aren’t many New Orleans Saints players who have enjoyed Carnival season better than Jameis Winston. The quarterback has been a common site on Mardi Gras parade routes with his young son and family, shaking hands and taking photos with fans in-between plates of smothered turkey necks and red beans. He’s embraced the city’s culture and sense of community and, he hopes, he’ll continue to do so for a long time.

“I would love to stay in NOLA forever. But whatever the Lord has planned for me, I’m going to go and do my best, wherever that is. Hopefully it’s here, because I love this, I love the energy, and I love this city,” Winston laughed during an interview with WDSU meteorologist Margaret Orr, this year’s honorary Muse of the Krewe of Muses.

Will Winston return for 2024? By all accounts he’s been nothing but a good teammate, accepting his demotion to the backup role after Dennis Allen brought in Derek Carr and okaying the offense’s decision to score a late-game touchdown for Jamaal Williams to close out the season. But the Saints reworked his contract before the 2023 season ended so that they can release him in March with a more-manageable salary cap hit. All signs point to his time in New Orleans running out.

If that’s the case, this experience is something Winston will cherish. Even if he ends up joining a rival team like the dirty birds.

“I just love the people. When I go out and meet individuals, they’re so authentic,” Winston continued, comparing the sense of community he’s found to the Southern hospitality he experienced growing up in Alabama. “New Orleans, there’s not another place in the world that’s like New Orleans. It’s the culture, and just the love that’s here. I admire it.”

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Derek Carr had the perfect response to Mardi Gras float call-out

Derek Carr had the perfect response to a satirical call-out from the Knights of Chaos Mardi Gras parade, joining the laughter and pointing to his much-needed improvement:

Shouts out to Derek Carr for taking it on the chin: the New Orleans Saints quarterback was the subject of satire at the Knights of Chaos Mardi Gras parade during Carnival season, which featured a float depicting a reanimated Carr as a “Red Zone Zombie” to big reactions from the crowd.

“Can’t lie,” Carr wrote in response on social media, “this depicts exactly what I felt like the first half of the season so I understand.”

That’s exactly how Carr needed to approach this situation — joining the laughter, sharing with some self-deprecation, and pointing to the work he put in to improve. His arrival to New Orleans last year was a tough sell. With a big contract restructure in the works keeping him in town for at least the next two years, it’s vital that he win over the fanbase and build those connections with the community.

And Carr is right to point out that his struggles in the red zone were an early-season problem. The Saints doubled their practice reps in that phase and he ended the year as one of the league’s best quarterbacks in scoring position. Through their first 11 games, Carr went 21-of-47 (44.7%) inside the 20-yard line and scored 8 touchdown passes with an interception, posting a quarterback rating of 84. The Saints offense ended just 15 of their 40 drives with touchdowns (37.5%).

In their final six games Carr went 14-of-21 (66.7%) and threw 9 touchdown passes without turning the ball over, posting a passer rating at 114.1. The Saints scored 15 touchdowns on just 20 drives inside the red zone (75.0%). How’s that for a “Red Zone Zombie?” After seeing that reversal of fortune, Carr’s teammate Demario Davis called him the hottest red zone quarterback in the league.

It’s critical that Carr and the Saints carry that success over into 2024. With a new play caller and new coaching staff on the way, they can’t afford to start slow and make big changes at midseason again in the fall. If Carr can do that and continue doing a better job connecting with fans and teammates, maybe the city will warm up to him after all.

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New Orleans’ Knights of Chaos parade takes aim at Saints QB Derek Carr

New Orleans’ satirical Knights of Chaos parade took aim at Saints quarterback Derek Carr, the “Red Zone Zombie” rising from the grave of the 2023 season

Derek Carr has some work to do winning over the New Orleans Saints fanbase. His poor play and bad attitude to start the 2023 season left a rough impression, despite his strong finish to the year — and that’s reflected during Carnival season. With parades picking up in anticipation of Mardi Gras, Carr found himself in the crosshairs of the Knights of Chaos.

A heavily satirical and often controversial krewe known for skewering politicians, celebrities, and other public figures, the Knights of Chaos rolled out one float featuring Carr as the “Red Zone Zombie” rising from the grave of the 2023 season.

“4th down, 90 million to go,” read one sign plastered next to Carr’s gaunt, bone-thin facsimile. A chorus of ghosts swarmed around Carr’s image as he dropped back to pass (missing an arm), pointedly booing him. Spectators in attendance reported that revelers took their cue, which was also the case at the Caesars Superdome at times this year.

But like it or not, Carr is here to stay. The Saints are expected to restructure his contract this offseason to help mange their salary cap situation and guarantee he’ll be on the roster through the 2024 and 2025 seasons. They’re hoping the addition of a new offensive staff headed by experienced play caller Klint Kubiak can get more out of Carr.

Playing at a higher level is just part of the equation. If Carr is going to win over the fanbase, he’ll have to put in the work and get out in the community, and maybe make an appearance at a parade or two. As Drew Brees has told other pro athletes coming to New Orleans, if they love the city, it’ll love them back.

In the meantime: disgruntled Saints fans are going to take out their frustrations as creatively as they can. Here are some photos and videos from the Knights of Chaos parade on Thursday night:

Saints sent Thomas Morstead a king cake before Falcons game

The Saints sent Thomas Morstead a king cake before facing him in Week 18’s Falcons game:

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Now that’s sweet. The New Orleans Saints embraced Carnival season by gifting their former punter Thomas Morstead a king cake — from Manny Randazzo’s, no less — just before their Week 18 game with Morstead’s unfortunate Atlanta Falcons. The longtime Saints standout has caught some flak from fans in New Orleans after going turncoat and signing with their most hated rival, but the team wants it known that there’s no hard feelings.

Morstead shared the delivery of his king cake from the Falcons training facility, along with a note calling him an “Old Friend” with hopes that he’ll set a new personal best for the most punts in a single game on Sunday (for the curious, his career-high has been 10 punts in a 2015 Saints win over the Indianapolis Colts, 27-21). The Saints are visiting Atlanta and badly need a win to remain in playoff contention. Frustrating the Falcons offense and getting Morstead on the field early and often to punt the ball away would do a lot to help.

But they had better be careful about what they’re asking for. Morstead just won recognition as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for his efforts, regularly pinning opponents deep inside their own territory. New Orleans doesn’t exactly have the firepower to cross the field too often. Maybe Morstead can take it easy on them?

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