The offseason darling among New Orleans Saints fans has been rookie Spencer Rattler, but it was last year's QB draft pick in Jake Haener that drew the attention on Day 1 of organized team activities.
The second-year pro out of Fresno State was on target early and often as he sets out battling to win the backup job, a performance that WWL's Bobby Hebert broke down after watching the day of work out at the team's practice facility in Metairie.
"A lot of people think, oh, Spencer Rattler, I’ve said this, he can spin it, he can throw it and boy, he’s got a strong arm," Hebert said. "I’d rather be accurate than have a strong arm. Now, I’d want to have a strong arm and be accurate, but if I had to choose one, accuracy is the No. 1 thing and Jake Haener, to me, is very accurate with the football."
Haener went 3-for-4 in 7-on-7 drills with a pair of completions to TE Michael Jacobson and another to WR A.T. Perry. The lone incompletion was a well-placed go ball to Equanimeous St. Brown that the veteran was unable to haul in with one hand as he was fouled by the defender.
He completed all three of his throws in 11-on-11 drills, with another completion completion to Jacobson, a rollout pass to Dallin Holker, and then his most impressive play of the day when he corralled a high snap then dropped a ball in the bucket downfield to Chris Olave, who went up with late hands to snag a ball that the defender didn't know was sailing over his head.
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Haener, whom the Saints picked in the 4th round a season ago, also made the decision to change jersey numbers this offseason and is now donning the No. 3, a choice that certainly didn't go unnoticed by the Cajun Cannon (yes, that was Bobby's number).
“I’ll give Spencer Rattler a chance," Hebert said, "but right now I’m on the Haener train.”
Listen to more OTA breakdowns from Bobby Hebert in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.