By: Jeremy Trottier

The New Orleans Saints have had an extremely interesting offseason so far, primarily because of the retirement of Drew Brees.  This leaves the Saints with arguably the most intriguing quarterback battle in the 2021-2022 season.  As of right now, there are two QBs who are being heavily considered for the position, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting QB Jameis Winston, and the Swiss Army Knife Taysom Hill.  Thanks to reporters who have been at each of the public training camps, we have the stats that each QB has put up so far in training camps.  With this info and other information gathered via previous knowledge of the players, we will be choosing which of the two is “ahead” currently in this battle.

Please note two things, the first being that this is not a guarantee that who I choose will start, nor does it mean they will perform better this season, it is just inferring who has done better so far with the camp stats.  Secondly, this was written on Friday, August 13^th, the day prior to the Saints first preseason game, so any stats or gameplay from that game will not be contributed to this article as it has not happened at the time of this piece being written.

Taysom Hill

Camp Statline: 8/10 in full-team drills, 78 for 120 with two touchdowns and three interceptions in all camp throws this season.

Taysom is really hard to see in camps, as his capabilities primarily rely on his ability to scramble outside the pocket as well as plowing through defenders on rushes.  This is near impossible to see as camps have been low contact on QBs and they almost always try to avoid contact, and more focus on the fundamentals of the game.  

With that said, this is somewhat the statline one would expect from Taysom if you have seen him play before.  He can make some poor decisions to move the ball downfield, hence the 3 interceptions, however his completion percentage (65% in camps) is still strong as he is very solid in the short to the intermediate passing game.  Overall, he has had about as good of a camp as anyone can ask of him so far, and once preseason rolls around he should be seen more in his natural form.

Jameis Winston

Camp Statline: 13/18 and a touchdown in full-team drills, 102 for 146 with five touchdowns and three interceptions in all camp throws this season.

Jameis Winston, on a pretty opposite tone to Taysom, has had a very good camp so far from the pocket and has really been able to lock down and focus on the play.  Now something that has not come up a ton is Jameis throwing deep passes, aside from a few that were reported, hence why his interceptions are low and his touchdowns are higher, as well as his completion percentage. 

As of right now, he has a 69.8% completion rate, which is likely due to being focused on shorter passes and working on his throwing technique and decision-making more than anything.  With that said, this is really nice to see as he is clearly taking the smarter play most of the time, considering his high completion percentage.  This works well for the Saints system as if he can get the ball to Alvin Kamara out of the backfield, that will allow Kamara to do the work.  This ability to throw in the flat also allows for a deep shot once a drive or so where Jameis can throw a defense off and hit someone down the field with a deep pass since the coverage would focus lower. 

Overview

As of this moment, Jameis has had the better training camp so far, but it is not by a landslide by any means.  Taysom has done well to keep up and have a solid completion rate, but as I mentioned previously, his main capabilities cannot be shown in camps.  Preseason will be absolutely massive, as this allows both QBs to go all out against a defense they are not 100% familiar with and use their skills.  Sean Payton when interviewed said they would have one of the two QBs start one preseason game, then one close it, and then switch for the next game and see the inverse, making preseason become even more interesting as they are clearly taking their time to decide.

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By: Courtney Burrows

The New Orleans Saints held mandatory training camp June 15-17 and already there is buzz amidst the rookies and the veterans. Obviously, the biggest story coming out of training camp that everyone wants to know is who will start under center come fall.  Everyone knows that Taysom Hill replaced injured Brees after Week 10 and preformed well. Coach Payton likes him and his versatility on the field as a mobile QB with great arm and leg strength.  Hill helped the team when most it was most needed, but does he have the perseverance and execution to lead the team all season? The main issue is that Jameis Winston has real time starting QB experience, and has guided a team and locker room.  Though Winston is known for his turnovers in his last season with the Buccaneers, he also led the league in passing yards and 33 touchdowns.  Winston is known for his deep passing skills and after spending a year under Brees and Coach Payton’s direction, I truly believe he is the best to lead the team going forward.  Google Winston today, and you will find training video after video.  He is trying to prove to himself and the Saints, but I believe he is ready and the right choice. 

The biggest question is who besides Michael Thomas will catch those deep shots?  With the departure of Emmanuel Sanders to Buffalo, there hasn’t been much coming out of the Big Easy pointing us to who will step up.  Will it be second year, undrafted Marquez Callaway, or Tre’Quan Smith as Deonte Harris will most likely be WR#4 and continue to thrive on special teams.   Smith has the foot speed and long arms to be on the receiving end of Winston’s ringers thrown towards the end zone. Remember in Week 17 when he caught a 56-yard bomb from Winston in a trick play?  We Saints fans surely do, but we also remember that undrafted rookie Callaway caught 21 passes, and he too has lightning speed and quick, elusive route running that make him hard to defend.  This is a tough call, both players are fast with long strides and sticky hands that contest the jump ball and win.   Coach Payton is known for finding diamond in the rough undrafted rookies and making them shine, so my gut says Callaway can and will emerge as the clear complement to Thomas this year. 

Let’s look deeper at Smith. At 6’2”, he has the build of a great NFL wideout, but he has yet to be full on consistent.  In his best season yet, 2020 he produced 448 yards on 34 receptions so the potential is there as he can break away from defenders and manage high yards after the catch.  Yet, he only seemed to flourish under pressure when Thomas was out and the Saints were desperate.  Will he use pressure to motivate him to move past Callaway on the depth chart or will he let his inconsistency come to a head yet again.  He has had four years to move up the ranks and prove himself, and at times he does, but at other times, he looks like a borderline WR3/4 only.  I really like Smith and his abilities, but I feel like it should have happened by now, his breakout that is.  He shows flashes of greatness and no one can deny his hands, but we need consistency to help the offense compete for the top of the NFC South. Callaway as well is 6’2”and was undrafted but picked up by the Saints.  Last season in his rookie debut, he has 21 receptions for213 yards.   Granted, he only played in a few games like Week 5 where he was targeted six times for 34 yards.  The main difference between these two guys is that Callaway seems to be more versatile, even though Smith has more experience in the big game.  He has played on special teams as a swift punt and kickoff returner as well as wideout, and we know how much Payton loves gadget players.  The Saints need a new spark, one that will help to elevate the offense.  I believe that player is Callaway.  Give the young man a chance to break out his sophomore year and complement Thomas like the great wideout duos in the league. 

Thomas will be given the majority of shares as he himself is determined to prove that last year was a fluke and he is a Top 10 WR in this league, but not every ball can go to him or Kamara.  That is why it will be fun to see who Payton and offensive coordinator Carmichael plug in to play.   I have no doubt that Winston will start come September, and that Smith might be the one running routes in the beginning, as Smith is known for be on the receiving end of long shots downfield which is what Winston, but Callaway is the future and he will get his chance to truly shine and come out on top.  As a diehard Saints fan, I am definitely nervous about a new era without Brees, but excited for out future especially with rookies and sophomores who are in it to win it.  I have blindly trusted Coach Payton in the past and will again.  So, if Callaway is on your wavier wire in dynasty or redraft, take a flyer on him! 

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The Saints Are Built to Win The Super Bowl Now

New Orleans allowed the gut-wrenching, yet playoff football godless scenario to reoccur in the 2021 NFL playoffs, as they fell short of reaching the Super Bowl in a crushing loss to Tampa Bay. Saints have been no stranger to losing playoff matches that they are favored in: Saints have lost at home in three straight seasons, despite the dome being once a Spartan-like fortress as they didn’t lose one home playoff game prior to the 2019 NFC Championship game matchup where the Rams, joined by the Refs, ignited a dome losing streak.

This most recent playoff loss may not have been as flukey, nor a catastrophic mistake displayed by the officiating, but it could be the most depressing defeat. Leading up to the game, reports were stemming from Jay Glazer and a wide range of other networks that Drew Brees will have played his last home football game.

Brees may not have announced a retirement message after the agonizing Buccaneers loss, but it appears that the reports of Brees hanging the cleats up are accurate. This expected rumor to be brought to life could be captured by Brees taking one last look at the Mercedez Benz Superdome, prior to exiting the tunnel.

As Brees has likely taken his last snap in a black and gold uniform, a huge question looms: Who will be the heir to Drew Brees?

Sean Payton has made two notable statements over the last couple of months. For 1. He believes that the future QB is in the building. And 2. He’s made it clear that he likes what he sees out of Jameis Winston and he wants him to return.

There is a strong chance that Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill takes the reigns. Although, just as one QB in Winston receives an abundance of praise from Payton, the other Hill has seemed to garner a five-star review or lofty comparisons to Hall of Fame QBs (ex: Taysom Hill to Steve Young).

There’s also a possibility that Payton acknowledges that the Saints are the most invested team in the NFL, as they are ranked 32nd in cap space, per Over The Cap and recognizes the need for a quality starting QB amid a Championship level roster. It’s very easy to look at the Saints cap figure and point out that the Saints would struggle to pay a QB, as they’re already locked into the most complete roster in the league. But, it’s also vital that the Saints have an “above-average” leader at QB to maximizing the surfaced talent on board. A stout evaluation of the QB position is undoubtedly the top say in the results of winning or losing football games.

We’ve seen the gutsy Sean Payton make aggressive transactions outside of the QB position: Trading Jimmy Graham, Brandin Cooks, cutting ties with much of the old Super Bowl coaching staff, along with attempting and executing an onside kick in the Super Bowl. And most recently, Payton took Brees out of the Buccaneers playoff game for Winston to deliver a long pass on a trick play. Sean Payton has made it clear that he will do whatever it takes for a second Super Bowl Lombardi to be hoisted in New Orleans.

Anything is on the table in terms of an eccentric, bold, move in the winning direction. When it comes to landing a “long-term” and prosperous player at the QB position, no door ought to be closed. With that being expressed, let’s dive into five potential QB trades for the anticipated Brees-less Saints.

5) Dak Prescott-QB-Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott will likely get franchise tagged, or agree to a massive contract with Cowboys GM Jerry Jones. Although, I foresee Prescott getting the tag before a long-term extension comes to rest on the table, which would make it the second year in a row that the young Dallas QB gets the designation.

Looking at the New Orleans Saints, Prescott is the top QB that’s looking for a long-term contract this off-season. Securing Prescott and configuring a deal is a far better option of on field production, compared to an option through the draft like a late first-round selection in Kyle Trask. Not only are these two points held true, but Prescott is also coming off a serious injury–which could affect his leverage.

Sean Payton stated that Prescott was an exceptional leader and gushed over his ability post Prescott’s rookie year. Payton had a high vision of him long before he was posting elite passing numbers per game in 2020.

Prescott is the tough, dual-threat QB that Payton adheres, too. Prescott is only 27 years old (three years younger than Hill), so he could very well put together a true dynasty in New Orleans, alongside Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas.

How could the Saints acquire Prescott? The Cowboys are seriously aching in the secondary. Well, the Saints top, inconsistent cornerback Marshon Lattimore will be a free agent in 2022. Perhaps, Lattimore, a role player at linebacker/defensive line, and non-destructive amount of draft picks could bring Prescott to the Big Easy.

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