Kellen Moore could learn a thing or two from Pete Carroll. It took Carroll 11 games to figure out that Chip Kelly wasn't a fit as the Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator, and he let Kelly go before the clock hit midnight on Sunday.
New Orleans Saints fans were looking for Blake Grupe to receive a similar treatment. Carroll made this call less than a season after making Kelly the highest paid coordinator in the league. The Saints don't have nearly that level of investment in Grupe
Quite honestly, if the Saints moved on from Grupe, it would still feel like a move too late. Fans have been clamoring for this move since the first three weeks of the season, when Grupe missed a kick in every game. The field goals were critical in the first two weeks and, most importantly, been makeable.
This game feels like the most clear breaking point, however, the same was said after Grupe missed two field goals against the Giants. He did again versus the Falcons, This time both field goals were under 50 yards. One of Grupe's misses was from 38 yards out. It's his second miss from inside 40 yards after only missing once from that range in his career.
Kellen Moore won't have to look far to find the Saints' replacement for Blake Grupe
Grupe doesn't worry about losing his job because nothing positive can come from that. He might be right, but that shouldn't mean Grupe is safe. His eight field goals are most in the NFL this year, and his field goal percentage is under 70 percent for the season.
At some point, Moore needs to be called out for allowing this to continue. Charlie Smyth is right there. He's already on the practice squad. He lost to Grupe, but it's time for a change. Smyth can be that change for better or worse.
Grupe can't keep missing kicks. The Saints lost by 14 points, but it could have been much different if Grupe doesn't miss two field goals early. Instead, the Saints were down double digits most of the game. When is it enough? What does it take for the Saints to simply want to see if an alternative will be better. Hopefully, this shakes the nest enough.