New Orleans Saints
By Ross Jackson
IRVINE, Calif. — It wasn’t a 126-play scrimmage day like last weekend for the New Orleans Saints, but 66 offensive plays is still quite the workload.
New Orleans went through several scrimmage scenarios on Friday including two-minute drills, touchback starts and even kickoffs. But of course, the biggest story is what transpired at quarterback.
Quarterback Battle
Spencer Rattler was named the starting quarterback for Sunday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Tyler Shough will be next, followed by Jake Haener.
Head coach Kellen Moore made the announcement after practice, but did clarify that this was not a declaration of the starting quarterback in Week One of the regular season, only this preseason game.
As for the scrimmage, Rattler returned to the first team, getting that nod for both scrimmages now. Shough began with the second team and Haener was with the third.
Drive Count
- Rattler: Four
- Shough: Five
- Haener: Three
Drives with First Team
- Rattler: Four with first team offense, three versus first team defense
- Shough: None with first team offense, one versus first team defense
- Haener: N/A
Rattler Summary
Rattler had a strong day, slinging a pair of touchdowns including a 32-yard deep ball down the left sideline to speedy wideout Rashid Shaheed. Rattler was quick and decisive as he has been all camp and continues to move well. He had a pair of passes to wide receiver Brandin Cooke that required some quick hands from the receiver because of how early the ball came out. The anticipation of those throws was another positive for Rattler.
His second touchdown went to Cedrick Wilson Jr. in the front corner of the end zone on a pass he floated up high in the face of pressure by Chase Young. It was a risky throw with rookie safety Jonas Sanker (who had picked off Haener just two series prior) lurking underneath, but the ball cleared the defender and Wilson made a bobbling catch for the score.
Shough Summary
Shough also had an impressive day. The momentum he’s built over the last few practices can’t be ignored. He ran in a touchdown on a keeper that Moore said goes to the running back 95 percent of the time. However, the conditions of the play called for the five percent and Shough executed it perfectly.
He showed an increased propensity to diagnose pressure pre-snap throughout the practice. He stepped up in the pocket and threw a strike to receiver Kevin Austin Jr. for a passing touchdown. This throw came against the first-team defense while leading the second-team offense, evading pressure from Young.
Passing Stats (Running Totals)
- Rattler: 12/16 and two passing touchdowns (109/151, 12 passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns, four interceptions)
- Shough: 10/14 with a passing touchdown and rushing touchdown (90/149, seven passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and four interceptions)
- Haener: 3/7 and an interception (89/131, five passing touchdowns, two interceptions)
Another Standout Edge Rusher
Seventh-round pick Fadil Diggs had a great day Friday. He was credited with a pair of sacks and had at least one more pressure. He’s really turned it on as of late and Sunday’s game could be a big step toward securing a roster spot.
Jaylan Ford Stacking Days
Ford saw a lot of opportunity Friday coming off of his strongest practice the day before. He had a huge tackle for a loss to force a 44-yard field goal that was missed by Smyth. That’s an immediate impact play that kept points off of the board.
Little to No Action for Stutsman
Rookie linebacker Danny Stutsman hardly saw the field following individual drills, but that’s not a bad thing. Because the Saints are tying together this scrimmage and Sunday’s preseason game, his light day on Friday likely signals a large workload against the Chargers. If not, it seems like a clear indication that he’s done well throughout camp.
At Least a Dozen Players May Not Play Sunday
Moore said that “a half dozen (players) on either side” won’t see the field on Sunday. Chris Olave, who missed practice Friday, will likely be among them along with several other veterans that are solidly set in their roster spots.
Attendance and Injury Updates
The non-PUP players not seen were WR Chris Olave, CB Rico Payton, OL Landon Young, WR Chris Tyree and DL Bryan Bresee.
Moore updated after practice that Olave missed with a minor ankle injury, Bresee was out with illness and Payton was still out with the same illness that sidelined him on Thursday.
Young sounds like he still has a chance to play on Sunday; Moore said that the team will evaluate that decision on Saturday.
Running back Devin Neal was doing side work again, continuing his progress while nursing a hamstring injury.
Tight end Juwan Johnson (groin) again participated in drills and scrimmage.
Charlie Smyth’s Struggles Continue
Smyth went 3/5 on Friday kicking in various situations. Two of his good kicks came from extra point distance. The other was from 44 yards out.
His misses were from 41 and 50 yards away.
Smyth is now 19/32 throughout camp.
Punters Battle It Out
Both punters, James Burnip and Kai Kroeger traded off punts with Burnip getting the first rep. The two are battling to become the Saints’ fourth punter in four years.
Burnip hangtimes: 4.20s, 4.47s, 4.40s, 4.47s
Kroeger hangtimes: 4.06s, 4.87s, 4.88s, 4.60s
Up Next
The New Orleans Saints will face the Los Angeles Chargers in their preseason opener and the Chargers’ second game Sunday at 3:05 p.m. CT at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
