A sparkling, newly updated Superdome will be the setting for the first week of the NFL season, featuring two teams with fresh offensive strategies.
The New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers, who are rebuilding, are not expected to be contenders for the Super Bowl when it takes place in New Orleans next February. The Saints, however, are eager to end their three-year playoff drought.
Dennis Allen, the Saints’ third-year coach, might face job uncertainty if the new offensive approach introduced by Klint Kubiak does not succeed.
Kubiak, who was an assistant with NFC champion San Francisco last season, is tasked with maximizing the potential of quarterback Derek Carr, running back Alvin Kamara, receiver Chris Olave, and versatile player Taysom Hill.
His strategy involves using outside zone runs and play-action passes, with the ability to run various plays from similar formations.
Carr mentioned that the new offensive scheme is quite different from what Saints fans have seen under former coach Sean Payton and his successor, Pete Carmichael Jr.
“It is going to be different than what they’re used to,” Carr said. “They’re going to see a lot of different things that’ll make it really hard for defenses.”
The Panthers had a rough season last year, ending with the worst record at 2-15. This year, they have a new general manager, Dan Morgan, and a new coach, Dave Canales, along with a revamped team.
Canales encouraged the players to move on from last season and focus on the new opportunities ahead.
“If you look at the roster and the turnover that’s happened, it’s a new thing. It’s something new that we’re going to become, which I’m excited about,” Canales said. “We got a bunch of new guys to play with.
Let’s learn each other. Let’s figure out a style that we know how to play.” Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen found this message motivating.
