The New Orleans Saints gave themselves a chance in Week 15 against the Commanders, something not many around the league would have predicted.
There was no Derek Carr, and it was Jake Haener getting the call this time around. That experiment didn't last long in what ended as a 20-19 defeat, and the Cajun Cannon Bobby Hebert didn't pull any punches on the young QB's day in his postgame rant.
"It was just horrendous the first half" Hebert said, "and we fought back in the second half, just fell short."
Listen to Bobby Hebert's full postgame rant in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
Things just never got untracked with Haener behind center, with the Saints converting just two first downs the entire half and running just 14 plays. The coaching staff made the decision to change QBs late in the second quarter. Haener's day ended with a line of 4-10 for 49 yards and an ugly interception as he forced a ball to Alvin Kamara.
The coaching staff had seen enough, and so had the Cannon.
"I think he’s like a poor, poor man’s Chase Daniel. Remember like, Chase Daniel, now, how do you keep an NFL lifestyle? You’ve got to play well in preseason and be an emergency quarterback, that don’t mean you’re a starter," Hebert said. "No, Jake Haener will never be a starter. The jury is still out on Spencer Rattler."
The final sentence there is the reason for optimism after yet another close and frustrating Saints defeat. Rattler came in after halftime and delivered on some of the hype that seemed to fade after a difficult three-game stretch as the starter earlier in the season. He was calm in the pocket and didn't take a sack. He was aided by a handful of Commanders penalties, but gave the Saints some life on offense.
The final line of 10-21 for 135 yards and a touchdown probably doesn't do the game justice, which Rattler capped off with a perfectly executed 2-minute drill that resulted in a TD to Foster Moreau as time expired. The Saints opted to go for 2 and the win, with Rattler's pass targeting Juwan Johnson falling incomplete.
"I think it was a gallant effort, but you don’t get no style points for playing hard, you’re a pro," Hebert said.
The Saints are now 5-9 and guaranteed a losing record for the second time in the last four seasons. Next up will be a primetime date with the Green Bay Packers at a frigid Lambeau Field. Hebert fully expects to see Rattler again, but he's not so confident in the result.
"I’m gonna tell you right now, at Green Bay -- I’m the founding father of the Who Dat Nation, I think we have no chance. … I’m just keeping it real," Hebert said. "Now, I hope I’m wrong. I hope I’m wrong, prove me wrong — how about you prove me wrong, Saints players and coaches and they’re all of a sudden shock the world and beat Green Bay on Monday night in the Frozen tundra."
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More from Bobby
On Kendre Miller
“You know what I want to see in Kendre Miller? How about you play every game the rest of the season. I mean, how hurt is [Alvin] Kamara? He had to come out, he caught the touchdown pass. ... We’re playing the Packers, Raiders, Tampa Bay, so here’s your opportunity Kendre Miller. I thought Kendre Miller was very good. You know, he’s been averaging 4.4 yards when he’s played this season, well he averaged 5.1 yards today. ... If Alvin is not available going against Green Bay, that might be — I’m not saying times 2, but it might be at least a half of a dozen more carries, so seeing he had a long gain of 17, but that long gain of 17, the offensive line finally blocked up to expectations.”
On Chase Young
I thought Chase Young played with a lot of passion. … He’s like No. 4 in the whole NFL when you look at quarterback hurries, quarterback pressures … but how do you compensate him. What are you gonna pay a guy like a Chase Young, because I think he’s proven, you know what I like about Chase Young and that hasn’t been the case before with Davenport or with Payton Turner, I don’t know, does Chase Young play all the time for the Saints? I mean, he might’ve had past injuries when he was with Washington and then he went to the 49ers, but you know, how he has to be ready for every game and that’s how he’s compensated? Chase Young has been outstanding, he’s been available so you can hold him accountable.