The New Orleans Saints were down to just two quarterbacks for Monday's practice session, and that meant an extended opportunity for Spencer Rattlier.
Taking all the reps with the 2s and the 3s during a fully padded practice, the rookie 5th round pick took full advantage as we creep closer to the preseason opener.
"You just take advantage of the opportunities and I think that’s all you can do," said WWL's Deuce McAllister, "and it’s go back and watch the film and look at it and see how I can improve, so the next day comes, you know, it’ll be Wednesday, I’m ready to be able to rock and roll and not make those mistakes.”
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But there weren't many mistakes to speak of, at least not obvious ones, on a day with more than 30 reps in full team drills. Rattler completed 14 of his 18 pass attempts on the day, with one of those incompletions a drop that his the receiver in the numbers. His most impressive showing, though, came in a 2-minute setting when he led the Saints downfield for what would've been a potential game-winning 46-yard kick based on the scenario. That was an improvement over an end-of-half scenario in the 2-minute offense a day earlier, when the drive bogged down and the clock ran out on 4th down without points.
"It’s being able to anticipate hey, this is where I’m supposed to go to the football, understanding what the defense is doing to you, not knowing that hey, look, if I hold it a tick then it’s too late," McAllister continued. "I’ve got to see it, I’ve got to understand it, I know where my pressure comes from, I know where I’m going with the football and it’s just being comfortable and that comes with time and it’s no knock just against a rookie, it happens. It’s things are fast, people move fast, and so situations happen fast and understanding that there’s a lot that happens, you know, do I have 11 in the huddle, did I miss a word, can I get my guys lined up, how much time is on the play clock, what is the look, is that safety moving down, and all of that has to happen pre-snap, and then you go and play football.”
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The additional reps for Rattler were a result of Jake Haener's scheduled absence, with the second-year Saints QB undergoing surgery to address a bout of skin cancer on his face. Haener is expected back at practice on Wednesday, and that's when the spirited competition for the Saints backup role will continue.
Both players have been impressive, but remain unproven. Haener led his own impressive 2-minute drive on Sunday, leading his team downfield for a touchdown in the aforementioned end-of-half scenario. The competition appears close, but the real answers won't come until we see them lead the offense in preseason action with a defense actually ready to hit and make things as difficult as possible on a young player. While the Saints cut veteran Nathan Peterman earlier this offseason, head coach Dennis Allen made it clear that the job won't simply be handed to a young player, they have to earn it.
"I think we’re trying to determine if we have a backup quarterback on our roster right now," Allen said. "I’ve seen some signs that I like, and yet I want to get them in to real, live situations, under the lights and see how both of these guys operate in that environment."
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The first opportunity will come on Saturday on the road against the Arizona Cardinals. It's a scenario in which Haener should have something of an experience edge, with last year's 4th round pick getting significant run in the preseason a year ago. He didn't see a snap throughout the regular season, however.
The pair have been alternating days with the 2s and the 3s throughout the 11 camp practices, a clear indication that the competition is still tight. The Saints did list Haener ahead of Rattler on the initial depth chart, but that will mean little compared to the performance on the field this weekend and beyond.
Still, assuming one of these young players does show they can be trusted in that role, it'll be a situation the Saints haven't found themselves in for quite a while. Whether it's been Andy Dalton, Trevor Siemien, Jameis Winston, Teddy Bridgewater, Taysom Hill, Chase Daniel, Luke McCown (did I miss any?), this has been a team that's erred toward a veteran, more proven player in the backup role. In the 2024 season, all signs point to Derek Carr's backup being a player that has never thrown a pass in an NFL game that counts in the standings. Allen said he's perfectly fine with that idea, but again, it's something that will have to be earned
"I’m gonna give these guys every opportunity to prove that they’re deserving of that role, and that comes through what you do out here on the practice field and what they’re gonna do when they get into preseason games," Allen said, "and so I don’t think I’ve ever shied away from playing young players, and yet they’ve got to earn it, you know, and so that’s kind of where we’re at.”
The Saints had an off day Tuesday, but they'll be back to action for a pair of padded practices on Wednesday and Thursday before traveling to Arizona on Friday.