When it comes to young players at OTA practices, it's often less about looking good from Day 1 as it is fixing whatever issues were plaguing them on Day 1.
That's one of the positives you can say about highly touted rookie Spencer Rattler's performance in the final OTA practice open to the media, as Bobby Hebert broke down on WWL.
"I thought that Spencer Rattler looked a little more poised today," Hebert said coming off the field, noting that he'd give the rookie the edge on the day over Jake Haener.
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The results certainly bear that out. Rattler threw the ball just four times on the day, but he made the most of it. His first throw in 7-on-7s was a short ball over the middle to Mason Tipton, followed by a ball to Kendre Miller in the flat. His final throw of that session was arguably his best of the day on a hole shot to Kyle Sheets that the UDFA saw deflect off his hands.
Rattler's lone pass attempt in 11-on-11 drills was a play action bootleg where he found Cedrick Wilson deep downfield for a touchdown.
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Haener had a solid day of his own, as did Derek Carr, though the starting QB did end up with his first interception of the preseason on a ball that was tipped twice before coming down in Demario Davis' hands.
"I thought the offense had the defense both had their moments as far as making plays," Hebert said. "Those are the kind of plays that you want to see. … The ball is in the air, batted ball type interceptions. You have to make those like 100%."
MORE FROM HEBERT
On DE Trajan Jeffcoat
"If you’re looking at one young guy I like, at defensive line you’re always looking ... Trajan Jeffcoat, he’s the rookie out of Arkansas, had almost back to back plays to close out practice. Good in run support, he got penetration, then he ended up he would’ve had a sack."
On Lou Hedley
I thought Lou Hedley, the punter, that was a long period they were punting it inside the 10 yard line, but he was really accurate, good hang time and his leg just seems stronger. I asked coach Allen about Lou Hedley, I think he’s gonna build upon what he did last year and we were No. 1 in punt coverage, but you have to get that net up. Instead of being about 39 yards, can you get it 41-42? 43 would be outstanding, but looking at net average punting, he can punt it both ways, the traditional spiral way or the rugby kick. The way that he was doing it he was utilizing the rugby kick to be inside the 10 yard line, so I’m expecting Lou Hedley to build upon what he did last year and be a lot better. His leg just seems a lot stronger.