AUGUST 23: When speaking to the media on Saturday, Moore said (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell) a final decision on the team’s starting gig will be made “at some point in the next few days.” The evaluation process will include breaking down today’s preseason finale, which saw each of Rattler, Shough and Haener take part. 15 days remain until the Saints’ regular season opener.
AUGUST 21, 4:01pm: Moore announced on Thursday afternoon that Rattler would start against the Broncos on Saturday, suggesting he has a slight edge in the race to be the Saints’ Week 1 starter under center.
3:29pm: Although the Browns and Colts began the week by settling their Week 1 starting quarterbacks, the Saints are not there yet. New Orleans’ starting quarterback competition between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough will go on for another week.
Head coach Kellen Moore declined to name a starter going into the team’s third preseason game and said (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell) that Rattler and Shough have been “really really close…going all the way back to the start of training camp.”
“I think both these guys are putting in tremendous effort, tremendous work,” added Moore.
The two young passers have put up improbably similar statistics across two preseason games. On 44 dropbacks, Rattler has completed 25 of his 35 attempts for 252 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Shough dropped back 40 times and completed 24 of his 35 attempts for 231 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Their efficiency markers are just as close, in terms of completion percentage (Rattler’s 71.4% to Shough’s 70.6%), yards per attempt (7.2 to 6.8), and passer rating (89.2 to 86.8).
Interestingly, PFF’s grades clearly favor Rattler (70.8 passing grade, 71.4 overall) to Shough (57.3, 56.8), though each was credited with two Big Time Throws and one Turnover Worthy play. Rattler did have a substantially higher average depth of target (8.3 to Shough’s 6.8) and a much lower pressure to sack rate (15.8% to Shough’s 30.8%).
The Saints, of course, will have their own method of choosing a starter. Saturday’s preseason finale against the Broncos will likely be a major factor.
The trade for Vele…correct me if I’m wrong, but his toughness in the short passing game would better benefit Rattler, no?
Shaheed’s deep game wouldn’t be as useful for soft-armed Rattler.
I thought the same thing because Rattler’s hospital passes are felonious
Looking at photo I have to wonder how big a helmet the Saints would need if the QBs name was Thompson-Robinson 🙂
Better off letting Kellen Moore play QB instead of the other options
Lose every game and get Arch Manning next draft. Done
@dopt. He’s not leaving until he graduates.
Just stop. Dude hasn’t even played a handful of college games yet. He’s not coming out. Just cuz you play CFB 26 doesn’t mean that translates to real world.
@@lacksundayz. Probably because Archie manning said he wont leave for another two years. Arch manning said he didn’t know where his grandfather got that from. Only reason why is because he wants a team to offer him more n.i.l. money so Texas matches. He also wont transfer and I believe grandpa is a reliable source.
The way they talk in New Orleans I thought the writing on his helmet said he was “Show (Shough) gonna be the number 1 QB “
Kellen Moore’s brain: “it’s a tie. They’re all terrible.”
They will obtain Pickett before wk 3
Imagine obtaining Pickett to save your season. Means you have the same mindset as Cleveland. That’s scary.
Honestly
Start a different QB every game
Rotate them between quarters keep the defense guessing who they’ll face
No matter who starts, that offense really lacks talent. Olave, who is good but undersized and injury prone, and Kamara, who is still very good but older and less explosive than his old self are pretty much the only enviable players. Vele hopefully helps the Saints establish a better possession game, but there’s not much for any quarterback to work with. I think Rattler’s better right now, but Shough wasn’t picked to sit on the bench. Rattler probably will get four or so games, but he won’t get a leash like Shough will if he’s average or below average. Not sure if the results will change much; Rattler might build value by way of experience for a pick later on.
The defense really needs to prove itself this year, too. The quarterback, who likely won’t be great, will also likely have to score a lot of points if the defense isn’t good. I actually think that they looked better at times than I expected in the preseason, but I really want to see how they hold up (particularly in rush defense) during the year. I don’t think that Shough is the last highly drafted QB to be picked during Moore’s time as HC.