IRVINE, California — Spencer Rattler And Jake Haener have not really pulled ahead in the battle for the New Orleans Saints’ backup quarterback spot.
In reality, this is a good problem for the Saints to have. In 13 practices, it seemed as though both young quarterbacks could not only run the offense, but could do it very well.
However, the exercises in the training camp are only a simulation of reality, but this weekend’s warm-up game should provide more important data points for the competition.
Thursday’s practice, the Saints’ last before they open their preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend in Phoenix, featured several spectacular plays by Rattler and Haener, especially when both had the opportunity to launch a quick attack strategy at the end of practice.
The pair rotated between the second and third teams daily, and on Thursday it was Rattler’s turn to lead the 2s. He made one of the best throws of the day during the second team period when he threw a deep ball down the left sideline to Kevin Austin.
Rattler saved the best for last. In a playoff situation, he ran the Two-Minute Offense, completing 5 of 6 passes and hitting four different receivers. Austin was the recipient of two more big plays, scoring a touchdown in the corner and following up with a two-point conversion.
Not to be outdone, Haener completed all six of his attempts while leading the third team, scoring a quick succession of completions. Michael Jacobson (twice), Kevin Rader And Marquez Callaway before he saw a chance to Samson Nacua ran through the middle of the field in single coverage. He threw a perfect pass, allowing Nacua to jump up and score a touchdown from about 25 yards in the end zone. Haener then converted a two-point conversion himself by hitting Rader in the end zone.
If the rest of the preseason goes like this, the Saints will have a tough decision to make between the two. That’s a good place to start.
participation
The following players did not participate in training on Thursday: Ugo Amadi (Bar), Equatorial St. Brown (paralyze), Stanley Morgan (Hip), Bub means (shin), Peter Werner (Shoulder), Rashid Shaheed (paralyze), Marshon Lattimore (hip flexors), Kendre Miller (paralyze), Paulson Adebo (Bar), Demario Davis (paralyze), Nick Saldiveri (Calf), Trajan Jeffcoat (Elbow), Mason Tipton (thigh) and Isaiah Stalbird (undisclosed).
Rookie linebacker Michael Ford returned to the training field after a long absence due to an unspecified soft tissue injury, but did not participate in team drills.
Tough undertaking
Is the first-team offensive line a mess in terms of pass defense, or is the pass rush really ready to move on from last year’s disappointing performance? Maybe it’s a little of both.
After several strong training sessions, the first team’s offense seemed completely overwhelmed on Thursday, and most of these problems could be attributed to the offensive line, which quarterback Derek Carr very little time to make a game.
Offensive tackling Trevor Penning has improved since last season, but Thursday’s training was particularly tough. At one point, Follow Young entered the backfield on three consecutive plays and scored a sack, causing a frustrated Carr to throw the ball away in disgust.
It’s encouraging to see Young resemble the game-changing player who was named Defensive Rookie of the Year, but if the Saints enter the season feeling like they can’t trust their offensive line to protect the passer, it could be a long season.
Playing time?
trainer Dennis Allen has continued to hold back on announcing whether his regular players would play in the first pre-season match, but apart from a few planned rest days for Tyrant Mathieu And DanielaThey were all on the practice field for walk-throughs on Thursday, suggesting they may face the Cardinals.
The Saints may not have much choice when it comes to resting cornerbacks or wide receivers against Arizona. Five receivers missed practice on Thursday, leaving just six healthy wideouts on the roster — fine for a regular-season game, but more difficult in the preseason. The team is in a similar slump at cornerback, where it has six healthy players available.
