Saints QB Decision Looms: Rattler vs Shough Stats

Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

Now that the preseason has come to a close, so too has the next phase of the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback competition. After battling it out in training camp, quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough moved into live game action.

After three games of on-field, live-game competition, the battle remains close and the decision remains tough for the Saints.

Here is a quick look at all of the combined stats LouisianaSports.net tracked throughout camp and the official stats from the passers’ three preseason games.

Full Offseason QB Stats
NOTE: These stats will include 7-on-7 drills

Rattler: 194/274 (70.8%), 17 passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns and seven interceptions. Through his preseason games, Rattler’s three preseason appearances amounted in 295 passing yards (6.9 per attempt) and a passer rating of 86.8.

Shough: 163/266 (61.3%), 11 passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and five interceptions. The rookie threw for 333 passing yards (6.2 per attempt) and an 81.8 passer rating in his trio of exhibition games.

There is a lot of context needed for these numbers. Drops were a factor for both passers throughout the preseason. They had their impact throughout camp, as well. Throwaways are also a factor here, something Shough appeared to do at a higher rate than Rattler.

Both passers were similar in regards to their preseason stat lines, but it always felt as if Rattler led production throughout camp and practices.

This will only be a small part of the evaluation for the Saints’ coaching staff, though. Beyond production numbers, the decision-makers will be taking much more into consideration.

“No, I don’t,” Shough said when asked about using camp statistics from practices. “I’ve been a part of some teams where they will remind you of it, but especially when you’re in a new (offense or environment). Training camp, it’s kind of hard because they haven’t even brought it up one time. So, (we) really see it from you guys or something like that. But, it’s more of just how do we operate throughout the day? How did it go? What could we have done differently?”