Sean Payton's initial assessment of Trevor Siemian's performance in his first start was a positive one, and that was confirmed with time to pore over film from the Saints' 27-25 loss to the Falcons in Week 9.
But that didn't make the film review any less of a "frustrating" experience for the Saints coach, and he was noncommital about Siemian retaining the job for Week 10 and beyond.
“He graded out pretty well. I thought the decision came quickly. He got us in and out of a number of different plays. I think we could’ve helped him more outside with some of the playmakers," Payton said. "I felt like we had our hands on a few balls and watching the tape, we did."
Siemian finished the game 25-41 for 249 yards and two touchdowns, leading a pair of late scoring drives that brought the Saints back from a 24-6 hole in the fourth quarter. But when asked directly whether the plan was to keep Siemian in the starting role, which he took over following a season-ending injury to Jameis Winston, Payton went back to one of his familiar phrasings: "We'll see."
"I’d say pretty [Siemian played] steady, pretty calm demeanor, especially when we fell behind in those final drives. ... He made enough plays, really. That got us back in the game," Payton said. "So overall I was pleased.”
The noncommittal approach isn't new for Payton. Even while announcing Siemian would get the start for Week 9, he indicated the plan was for that matchup, and things could change down the road. Taysom Hill returned to action in Week 9 and played well in limited snaps. He could be in the consideration for the starting role. The timeline of his exit from the concussion protocol possibly limited his chances to take over as the starter for Week 9.
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Regardless, Payton expressed some clear frustration with the pass-catchers failing to haul in key opportunities. Drops and damaging offensive penalties kept the Saints off the board in the first half of the loss, the second time this season they've been shut out in the first half of a losing effort.
The coaching staff will continue to look for creative ways to generate separation, be it through formations and alignment, or route design. Regardless, help won't be coming in the form of an Odell Beckham Jr. waiver claim. The team simply can't afford the $7.5 million price tag they'd be on the hook for after the receiver was unceremoniously cut from the Cleveland Browns last week. They could still get in the fray should he clear waivers, but the players on the roster need to step up, Payton said.
"This league is filled with man-to-man coverage technique, and we’re gonna have to be able to beat that and handle that," Payton said.
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