I've been doing more thinking about Carmichael. He was intricately involved in the play design phase for the last decade and a half. Sure, it's easier to design plays when it's Brees out there to execute them, but I doubt he's forgotten everything about that aspect of the job. I see his problem this past season as being far too conservative in the actual playcalling. Looking back over the years there have been occasions where he had those duties for one reason or another and was surprisingly aggressive and quite effective in making his calls.

What has changed? Is it perhaps the responsibility is too large? Is he concerned about screwing up? Did he not trust the QB's or the line? Did Allen, as was mentioned earlier, tell him to be conservative?