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Intrigue in New Orleans: The #Saints have given QB Taysom Hill starter reps in practice this week, source said. So while Jameis Winston took over for injured Drew Brees last week, signs are pointing towards Hill getting his first NFL start at QB if all checks out after practice.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 20, 2020
Don’t look now, but the New Orleans Saints might have a quarterback controversy on their hands. With Drew Brees injured and out several weeks while managing rib and lung injuries, Jameis Winston seemed like the logical fit to start in his place, owing to his extensive NFL experience and similar playing style as a pocket passer.
But NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday that Taysom Hill, not Winston, has been receiving starter’s reps during the week with Brees sidelined, which was confirmed by NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. The Saints want to get a final look at Hill during Friday’s practice before making a final decision, but there’s a real possibility Hill gets to start on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
It would be a stunning decision for many, many reasons. Hill’s best moments in New Orleans have come on special teams or catching the ball as a receiver out in space. When asked to stay in the pocket and throw, too often he’s been slow to process his reads and put too much air underneath his passes further downfield. And his potential to grow and develop further is under question given he turned 30 in August.
So we’ll have to wait and see what happens. The Saints are in the hunt for the NFC’s top playoff seed and the conference’s only bye week that comes with it, and losing a game after rolling with a less qualified backup in Hill than Winston (who has started 70 games before his 26th birthday) would badly jeopardize their playoff odds. Maybe Hill surprises us again.
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