JACKSON: Saints got it right with Rattler

By Ross Jackson

It may not be brand new offense for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, but things will certainly look different under center. The Saints will be without their starting quarterback, Derek Carr, as he deals with an oblique injury. He is expected to miss multiple weeks.

Carr’s absence set the Saints up with a tough decision. Which of their young quarterbacks should start in Carr’s place? The decision comes between second-year passer Jake Haener, who had been the backup quarterback each game this year, and rookie Spencer Rattler. The choice took New Orleans very little time. Rattler was the pick. And while it was a tough decision, it was the right one.

There are a few elements to Rattler’s game that made him the right choice, regardless of the results of his first NFL start. 

Mobility/Escapability

While Rattler is not the type of dual-threat quarterback that will sprint for 60 yards on a draw play like Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, he is someone that can navigate congestion in the pocket and turn nothing into something. All of those times you have seen opposing quarterbacks turn a solid pass russ on third-and-8 into a first down by escaping the pocket and scrambling for 11 yards, that is a reality with Rattler. His 40-yard dash testing didn’t blow the roof off of Lucas Oil Stadium during the NFL Scouting Combine at 4.95, but he does enough to extend plays and scramble when necessary.

Look no further than his rushing touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the preseason. Granted that was against a bottom-of-the-roster defense, but one that generated solid pressure all throughout his drives. His feeling for pressure and ability to navigate it will be a welcome sight, but will also be put to the test against one of the best pressure teams in the league on Sunday. It won’t always equate to success, but it could turn a day of going 4-for-10 on third downs into one that goes 6/10. And those two extra first downs could be the difference in a tight game.

Pocket Presence

This one didn’t show too much in the preseason due to the amount of pressure, and honestly possibly the speed of the game as well. But looking back at Rattler’s college tape, it is easy to see his willingness to take a big hit in order to deliver a pass downfield.

That will be necessary in this Saints offense which will ask Rattler to hold on to the ball while deep concepts develop. It’s a necessity in the NFL, and Rattler has shown some propensity for it. In his first regular season start as a pro, this quality may not show immediately. But as his opportunities grow in his next game or future chances under center, this will be a key to his success. If he doesn’t panic under pressure, and if he isn’t too sensitive to the push of a defensive line, it could go a long way in finding quick success in offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s downfield shot attempts.

NFL-Level Arm Talent

Ask any player in the Saints locker room what pass Rattler can’t make, and they will all tell you the same–none.

One player that got to know the fifth-round selection very well over the offseason was a fellow rookie, wide receiver Bub Means. He and Rattler worked together starting at rookie minicamps all the way through the offseason. During training camp, he was among the many that heaped praise on what he’s seen from the signal caller.

“Yeah, that boy’s good,” Means said. “Whenever you get an opportunity, you’re going to see what I see. ‘Cause that boy is special. He got a special arm. I believe he’s gonna be a great pro.”

From touch passes in the endzone to great anticipation on crossing routes and of course the deep ball, Rattler has an arsenal of throws available to him. His ability to launch the downfield ball but also throttle down when precision and touch are needed are important traits for a young quarterback. If Rattler can continue to display that and develop those skills, Means’s prediction just might pan out.

That certainly is the hope of the organization, as well. It may not come together immediately for the young passer in his first chances as the starter. But if he can show enough development from what he did well in the preseason and can elevate the traits we’ve highlighted today, there will certainly be some excitement about his future. 

The Saints sure could use it.