One of the only blemishes on Spencer Rattler's training camp to this point was his inability to find the end zone during the team's extended scrimmage last Sunday. He made sure to correct that quickly during Friday's more abbreviated session.
Much like the first scrimmage, Rattler took the ball first. He again led an immediately drive downfield, but this time rather than bog down in the red zone he got aggressive from the 30-yard line after ID'ing Rashid Shaheed isolated on Justin Reid. Rattler put the ball on the money and Shaheed used late hands to freeze the defenders for one of the highlight offensive players of the offseason.
The drive started with three consecutive Alvin Kamara runs that went for 5, 5 and 6 yards. Rattler also found Brandin Cooks and Dante Pettis on the drive. The Saints did have to convert a 4th and short prior to the TD pass.
Rattler's second TD drive started at the plus 25 and ended on a jump ball to Cedrick Wilson that marked some good fortune. Wilson made the play, but it could've easily been taken the other direction. There were also two other Rattler drives that ended with missed field goals from Charlie Smyth, who has continued to struggle.
Not to be outdone, rookie Tyler Shough shook off a rough start (back to back drives without a first down) by leading a pair of touchdown drives of his own. The first started from the 35 and included an impressive backshoulder ball on the run to Dante Pettis that went for a 30-plus-yard gain. Shough also found Mason Tipton on a well-timed slant that looked like it could've been a TD, but the refs put down at the 1. No worries, the Saints called a read play that Shough kept for a walk-in TD, after which he went and high-fived the small group of onlookers in attendance.
Shough also led a TD drive that started at the plus-25, leading the second-team offense against the first-team defense. He had some good fortune when a ball targeting Tipton downfield bounced off the safety Reid's hands rather than a turnover. He bounced back with a sidearm throw to Clyde Edwards-Helaire for a positive gain over the middle of the field, then a first down to Dante Pettis and a completion to Treyton Welch down inside the 5. The rookie showed off his improvisational skills again, extending the next play to the edge of the field and bluffing the run to force the defender to commit before lofting a ball to Kevin Austin Jr. in the back of the end zone. It was a similar play to the one that went for an interception in the previous scrimmage. Shough learned his lesson and put some air under the ball this time. Easy TD. Those are the types of steps forward, lessons learned that you need to see from a rookie developing at the NFL level. It's not star or bust after every rough moment, it's study and develop.
I thought it was an encouraging day for both young QBs, but I feel like we know where Rattler is. That's why if the season started today, he'd be my pick. But I think we've seen Shough turn a corner over the past week-plus and the confidence is buidling. There's still a long way to go, but a strong preseason performance on Sunday -- most likely exclusively with the 2s -- and this conversation could get a lot more interesting. From what I've seen so far, Shough seems to be at his best in less structured settings when his improvisational skills can shine. It just seems to get him more comfortable and he uses that to operate more effectively within the natural scope of the offense. I still have serious questions about the offense overall, but I feel a lot better today than I did a week ago.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
There were a few extra faces absent from practice in this game, and they'll be worth watching. Here are the players who didn't get on the field for the 66-play scrimmage session:
- WR Chris Olave (ankle)
- RB Devin Neal (hamstring)
- DT Bryan Bresee (illness)
- CB Rico Payton (illness)
- OL Landon Young
- WR Chris Tyree
The Olave injury occurred early in Thursday's practice when he appeared to tweak his left ankle while battling for a ball downfield. He got it taped up and finished off the practice, but clearly the Saints felt it merited shutting him down for the day. He was on the field cheering on the practice, as was Devin Neal who continues to get in rehab work.
We'll have to wait and see who all is active against the Chargers, but I'd wager no one on the list above ends up getting out there.
FORD AGAIN
It's the second day in a row I find myself writing about Jaylan Ford, but he's just continuing to make plays. I've talked in the past about his athleticism being a potential difference-maker and he flashed that today multiple times. On one play he stuffed Kamara on a 3rd and 1 to set up a 4th down. On a 3rd and 3 later in practice he came screaming off the edge and took down Velus Jones 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
I'm excited about this Saints linebacker group. There's a lot of young talent in there.
DIGGS' DAY
One of the forgotten draft picks has been flashing of late, even if he wears a confusing number for an edge rusher (40). The Saints' edge players in general have been a constant, harassing presence for the offense. Diggs was able to collapse the pocket multiple times today. Good sign for the rookie.
There was also a Chase Young sack where he broke down Kelvin Banks and got into the backfield so fast they had to blow the play dead, and I'm not convinced Rattler even knew why.
THE PICK
There was only one interception on the day, but it was a pretty one (at least for the defense). The ball was thrown up the seam by Jake Haener and I think he underestimated Isaiah Stalbird's athleticism. The former safety covered a ton of ground on his seam drop and was able to tip up the ball targeting Pettis, with rookie Jonas Sanker collecting it out of the air for the takeaway.
It's at least the second time we've seen that type of play on the ball by Stalbird, and I genuinely think he catches QBs offguard with his movement skills at the LB position. He's a tweener, but that's only a negative if you don't make the plays.
LAGNIAPPE
Olave might not have been on the field, but he did still catch a ball -- that being an errant throw from Haener (the final pass of the day). ... The Saints' short-yardage run defense might be an asset this year. There were at least three situations today where the offense tried to convert on 3rd and 4th and 1 and got stonewalled. I'm choosing to view that as a defensive positive at this stage, but it could also be a run game negative. ... Brandin Cooks had a few nice moments today with catches on balls that were on him instantly from Rattler as he got out of his break. It's a sign of confidence on both ends of that equation, because there are times when you have to throw the ball early and trust that the receiver can take down the ball. Being that trusted target is why Cooks is here. ... There are still way too many procedural penalties for practice. I think this could be in part because of the constant changes at QB. That really needs to get ironed out and fast, because it'll be infuriating once the season starts.
