Rod Walker: For new QB Derek Carr, southern hospitality made New Orleans the perfect fit

That was just the beginning.

Players for the Saints, present and past, did their part, making Carr realize the organization is run more like a family than a football team.

No one was able to do that more than owner Gayle Benson, who sat on the front row beside Carr’s wife and four children Saturday.

“The warmth and the love you’ve shown my wife and my family and me is something that took me over the edge,” Carr said to Benson. “And that meant a lot to us in the decision making. And as soon as we met you it was like we met family. We already knew, the love that you showed us, that meant so much to us. So thank you for welcoming us to the organization, to your city.”

The Saints needed a free agent signing like this. They have a quarterback who can lure receivers here or make those already here want to stay. Michael Thomas tweeted, “Thank you Jesus”, as soon as the news about Carr’s arrival broke. The two have been in touch, and Carr has been impressed with Thomas’ competitiveness. 

“When you talk to Michael Thomas, you feel like you two can go out there and face the world,” Carr said. “Just the energy he brings, it would be very exciting times to throw him the football.” 

Carr also communicated with the two most popular players in franchise history, players so notable that only a first name is needed: Archie and Drew.

Archie Manning’s message was a simple one.

“I just wanted to welcome him and to let him know to reach out if I can do anything for him,” Manning said.

Drew Brees’ conversation with Carr was more detailed. He answered all the questions Carr needed answered about the organization and the city. Nobody knows the organization quite like Brees, who spent 15 seasons as the Saints quarterback.

“I have so much respect for him as a player,” Carr said about Brees. “I have so much respect for him more as a person and as a dad. … A lot of what he said is probably why I’m sitting here.”