By Ross Jackson
With the Saints coming off their bye, this felt like a good opportunity to revisit Taysom Hill’s career day against the Cleveland Browns a week ago. For his efforts in a three touchdown day, Hill was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Hill’s impact was felt immediately as he was targeted on the first play of the game and punctuated the drive with a 10-yard score. Here is a breakdown of that impressive opening drive.
1st & 10 – Incomplete pass to Taysom Hill
Derek Carr play action bootleg to the right, incomplete to Hill on the right sideline
This play immediately set up what would be a big trend for New Orleans. Hill was targeted in the passing game 10 times throughout the game, a team high. New Orleans opened with that game plan right away. The Saints have also made a habit of starting games with an outsize zone play action bootleg pass since rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler stepped in for the injured Carr weeks ago.
2nd & 10 – 13-yard rush by Alvin Kamara
Hill was not on the field, but orbit motion by Kevin Austin Jr. pulled safety out of the play. The draw cadence allowed for a ton of space to open up. Adam Prentice and Erik McCoy quickly got to the second level to create more space for Kamara.
This play didn’t include Hill on the field, the only of the opening drive.
1st & 10 – 5-yard rush by Alvin Kamara
Hill was the lead blocker from the fullback spot. Trevor Penning and Hill were outstanding in creating a lane for Kamara to get good first down yardage.
Here Hill was utilized as a blocker, staying ahead of Kamara. Another showing of his versatile skillset which the Browns would have to expect when he lined up in the backfield for the rest of the game.
2nd & 5 – 18-yard completion from Hill to Austin
The play starts off looking like a reverse or fake reverse outside zone run by Kamara. Instead Carr keeps and tosses to Hill, Foster Moreau’s split zone release behind the line of scrimmage allows him to block for Hill to get the pass out to Austin as he crosses the field for a big gain.
From lead blocker to passer. This is a very important play for the rest of the game. It forces the Browns to respect Hill as a passer when the ball is in his hands. Moreover, it proves the threat of hill as a thrower from anywhere on the field. This play begins with him lined up out wide before crossing the formation on an end around.
Austin runs a great route, accelerating across the field. Meanwhile, Moreau’s block buys time for the play to come together.
1st & 10 – 3-yard completion from Carr to Hill
Another play action bootleg away from Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett. This time, Hill has the split zone release crossing the field behind the line of scrimmage. Carr connects with Hill who gets some extra yards for the short gain.
From lead blocker to passer, not to receiver again on three consecutive plays. The mixing and matching of Hill’s usage creates a ton of concern for opposing defenses. That confusion now comes into play to cap off the drive. Something to consider on this play is that Hill’s release isn’t terribly dissimilar than the passing play from one snap before.
2nd & 7 – 10-yard touchdown rush by Hill
Read option by Hill. Defensive end crashes down on Kamara. Hill keeps and sweeps right (again away from Garrett) for a 10-yard touchdown run.
To finish it all off, Hill lines up at quarterback and pairs his red zone threat with Kamara’s. The key defender sells out for Kamara, and Hill goes four play in a row with a different responsibility. This time, as a rusher, he finds the endzone.
The Saints faced no third downs during this drive and were very effective in setting up Hill’s huge day.
