Mike Triplett of ESPN.com wrote several weeks ago that Jameis Winston may have the edge over Taysom Hill in this summer’s battle to be the Saints’ starting quarterback. Triplett pointed to Winston’s first-round pedigree, experience, and upside, though he noted that the former Buccaneer would need to clean up the turnover and accuracy issues that led to his exit from Tampa Bay.
However, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe hears that Hill, not Winston, could have the upper hand. Citing league sources, Volin says that Hill’s abilities as a dual-threat talent might compel head coach Sean Payton to open the year with Hill under center. If Hill should falter, it would be easy enough to insert Winston and install a more traditional offense.
Unlike Triplett, Volin is not a Saints beat, but both writers make valid points. In 2020, Winston’s first in New Orleans, it was Hill who got the nod during Drew Brees’ injury-related absence, and he acquitted himself nicely. He went 3-1 as a starter and, over that four-game stretch, he threw for four touchdowns against two interceptions while completing 72% of his passes. He also rushed for four TDs and maintained a YPC average of about 5.4.
On the other hand, Winston, 27, is over three years younger, and he has started 70 games in his career as opposed to Hill’s four starts. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2015 draft has also shown plenty of flashes of elite ability, but again, he could never quite shake the turnover bug. In his last season with the Bucs in 2019, he threw an incredible 30 interceptions.
Both Winston and Hill are signed through 2021. In a little more than a week, they will begin their battle for the Saints’ starting job this season, and, perhaps, for a lucrative multi-year contract starting in 2022.
They can open with Moses and it won’t fix the damage this league has done. I read the police blotter but I won’t be watching games.
what does that have to do witg Hill vs Winston?
*whispers*… nobody cares
I had toast for breakfast
How will the league survive without dms0746? I guess only time will tell
Probably won’t matter who the starter is if the Packers show up without Rodgers.
Hey, I upvoted that, but even if the Packers show up with Rodgers it might be without Rodgers. A disgruntled franchise player held hostage on a team he does not want to play for could potentially end up a liability, no matter how competitive he is.
I can’t imagine any GM being dumb enough to trade for a player that would deliberately make himself a liability to his team just because he is disgruntled with management. If your being paid like a professional you need to act like a professional even when your not happy.
If you think it would be ‘dumb’ to trade for the league MVP and one of the greatest players of all time, then you know nothing about the game. Players are disgruntled all the time. He’s a top 3 QB in this league and the Packers FO has totally screwed up the situation, not Rodgers.
Also, it’s ‘you’re’ in the context you’re using it.
ARod has too much pride to show up and purposely tank.
I agree that I don’t believe that he’ll purposefully yank, but there’s also a pretty high chance that Rodgers is not as motivated to do all of the things he may have in a regular season. His will may be there to win, but his willingness may be eroded some.
What If the Saints show up with Rodgers as their QB?
Interesting
As a forever Saints fan, that would be phenomenal. A longshot, no doubt, but phenomenal…
whyyy
Winston only had one bad turnover year thanks to his lack of vision and a coach that preaches “no risk it, no biscuit.”
Today, Winston has had his vision corrected and his head coach has changed.
Hill could easily start, and if defenses pick up on his scheme, Payton can easily insert Winston with a more traditional passing offense for stretch or the rest of the year. Payton can effectively play with two game plans if he so chooses, but what will really hold New Orleans back will likely be the lack of receivers. Both of these QBs will need significant help from their wideouts to gain yardage (in Winston’s case, making vertical catches, in Hill’s, gaining yards after the catch), and New Orleans right now only has one proven receiver (who had an awful year last year). The line will likely be solid, but I was surprised that they did not add anything significant at the pass catching position.
I agree with your insight. However, I also think that with the outstanding offensive line, they will lean on the run game more, which will set up the play-action game, which should help out whoever is playing quarterback.
Also true. I agree with that. Kamala will be leaned upon heavily this year-we’ll see if the Saints can sustain that pace he’s sure to have, but it would be crazy to not lean on him in either the running or passing game.
When you say Kamala, are you referring to the VP or the Ugandan Giant?????
I’d go with Winston. Hill has some exciting tools but he’s more of a Swiss Army knife than a legit QB that can take the team to another level
I think the teams they are playing would agree.
to suggest anyone fears Hill…
i think payton wants hill to be the guy. he will likely have more fun calling plays for his just because of his all around abilities. if he struggles you have a backup plan in jameis, and if he does well then the saints could play for a wild card. im not sure who i think should be starting, but i think taysom will start
Everybody wants to vilify Winston for his Ints, but, make no mention of Hills fumbles! TH had more fumbles lost than TD passes
last season. Teams brought that extra defender into the box & dared TH to beat them passing. We went 3-1 in spite of TH…..remember 1 of those 3 wins was against a Denver team with a WR playing QB for the 1st time in his NFL career & another 2 were against a very awful Ain’tlanta defense!!! I’m praying to the 8 lb 6 oz Baby Jesus that Hill is not the starter! Otherwise we will be picking top 5 in next year’s draft!!!!
Everybody wants to vilify Winston for his Ints, but, make no mention of Hills fumbles! TH had more fumbles lost than TD passes
last season. Teams brought that extra defender into the box & dared TH to beat them passing. We went 3-1 in spite of TH…..remember 1 of those 3 wins was against a Denver team with a WR playing QB for the 1st time in his NFL career & another 2 were against a very awful Ain’tlantadefense!!! I’m praying to the 8 lb 6 oz Baby Jesus that Hill is not the starter! Otherwise we will be picking top 5 in next year’s draft!!!!