Tag: backup

Zack Baun says playing Super Bowl in New Orleans will feel ‘poetic’

Former Saints backup Zack Baun opened up about returning to New Orleans now that he is starring in the Super Bowl for the Eagles:

The New Orleans Saints will be sitting at home on Sunday while a former draft pick leads his team’s defense during Super Bowl LIX. It’s one of the top things on that former players mind.

Zack Baun spent four years as a rotational player with the Saints only to break out into a first team All-Pro linebacker in his first campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles. Baun has not been quiet about his struggles, both on the field and mentally, during his time in New Orleans. Local Eagles writer Michael Greger asked the linebacker what it feels like going back to the city.

“I think it’s poetic. It’s a really cool thing to think about, but it’s not really special until we win,” Baun said about his return. “You know what, you have to soak it in for a little but, then at the end of the day it’s eyes on the prize on the next one. The next game is the most important game because it’s out next game.”

Baun had 151 tackles with 11 going for a loss with four passes broken up and five forced fumbles in his first starring season. He has followed that up with a stellar stretch of play in the postseason.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Drew Brees shares his take on Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener

Drew Brees shared his take on New Orleans Saints quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener: ‘This will be a great offseason for both of them to really compete’

The New Orleans Saints have not had a truly reliable quarterback since the legendary Drew Brees retired, but have been going back and forth between different options.

For now, those primary options are Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. While the veteran Carr is clearly the guy for now, the Saints must start looking to the future soon and must evaluate the potential of both Rattler and Haener.

Brees recently weighed in on both players, who got a ton of playing time when Carr went down with an injury not once, but twice during the 2024 season.

“I think both of them showed great signs of what could be to come. Both of them have some unique traits,” Brees told me this week. “They’re kind of smaller, undersized guys, more my size at about 6-foot-1. Both of them are very athletic and they can make a ton of plays on the perimeter. This day and age, you see that becoming more the norm of the quarterback position.”

Brees also said that he views the Klint Kubiak system as a solid fit for both signal-callers, though that obviously could change at some point. How the head coaching search shakes out will have a ton of bearing on that.

“The offense suits both of them well. This will be a great offseason for both of them to really compete,” Brees said. “We will see what offensive scheme is in place, based on what happens with the head coach. They’ve shown what they can do if given the opportunity.”

Jake Haener was the preferred backup for Spencer Rattler on game days, but it was Rattler who got the start most often once Carr went down. It will be interesting to see what the Saints choose to do at this position moving forward and what the future holds for a team in the midst of full change.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Former Saints QB is ending retirement for an NFL comeback

As promised, former Saints backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is ending retirement for an NFL comeback with a Super Bowl contender:

As promised, former New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is ending retirement for an NFL comeback. But the Saints fan-favorite isn’t coming back to New Orleans. Instead, he’s signing with a Super Bowl contender: the 13-2 Detroit Lions.

Bridgewater, 32, enjoyed immediate success as a high school football coach. In his first year on the job he led Miami Northwestern (his alma mater) to a state championship in 3A competition. Now he’s returning, at least briefly, to life as a player.

Just don’t look for the Lions to throw him into a game any time soon. Jared Goff is the unquestioned starter, and second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker is their top backup. Former Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm is on the practice squad, too, though it remains to be seen if he’ll stay on after Bridgewater’s signing is processed.

There are plenty of former Saints in Detroit (beyond Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn, former quarterbacks Mark Brunnell and J.T. Barrett are on staff, too) and it would be really cool to see Bridgewater win a Super Bowl ring with them.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Spencer Rattler won’t be the Saints’ QB2 in Week 9 vs. Panthers

With Derek Carr returning this week, Jake Haener will be the backup quarterback. Spencer Rattler will go back to being the emergency QB3:

The New Orleans Saints are going back to the way things were as they prepare for the Week 9 showdown against the Carolina Panthers. After getting a slew of players returning from injury a week ago, they’ll get another major piece back on offense.

Derek Carr will return from an oblique injury and take his role as the starting quarterback, and it will cause the rotation to shift again. Dennis Allen announced Jake Haener will be Carr’s backup and Spencer Rattler will be the emergency third quarterback. This is a return to how things were prior to Carr’s injury.

Haener’s role has remained constant throughout the entire season. Whether Carr or Rattler was the starter, Haener was always the number two. There was a question of why Haener either didn’t start or why isn’t Rattler now the backup. Allen declined to share insight on the thought process.

Rattler was benched for Haener in his final start. That could have been the reasoning for the decision. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Haener get the start if Carr has to miss another game this year.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

BREAKING: Wisconsin starting QB Tyler Van Dyke injures knee vs. Alabama, carted to locker room

Wisconsin starting QB Tyler Van Dyke injures knee vs. Alabama, leaves game

Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke injured his knee during the Badgers’ first offensive drive against No. 4 Alabama on Saturday.

Those in attendance immediately noted that the veteran quarterback was “not putting any weight on his right leg.” He entered the medical tent, then was quickly carted into the locker room.

Related: Wisconsin leaves two key players off pregame injury report vs. Alabama

The injury occurred as Van Dyke scrambled right on a 3rd-and-7 sequence. He was tackled hard out of bounds, though he appeared to injure his right knee before hitting the ground.

Backup quarterback redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke entered the game in Van Dyke’s absence. Wisconsin went on to kick a field goal on the drive to take an early 3-0 lead.

UPDATE: Fox sideline reporter Jenny Taft confirmed that it was Van Dyke’s right knee. He was carted to the locker room for further imaging and evaluation.

UPDATE: Van Dyke was officially ruled out for the rest of the game.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Saints make their choice at backup quarterback, with Spencer Rattler at QB3

The Saints have made their decision at backup quarterback, moving Spencer Rattler to the QB3 spot and Jake Haener to QB2:

The New Orleans Saints had a litany of position battles throughout the offseason, the majority of which were clearly resolved prior to Week 1’s kickoff against the Carolina Panthers.

One such battle had not been solved, however, that being the backup quarterback. It was still listed as “or” on the depth chart between Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler. Ultimately, the choice was made pregame, with Haener taking the number two spot and Rattler initially being inactive. He’ll still dress out in his uniform as the emergency third quarterback.

Rattler being the emergency QB means he will have to be part of the 53-man roster come gamedays (which was the expectation regardless). Dennis Allen has said the position will remain fluid this season, and the two split practice reps throughout the week. This decision comes as somewhat of a surprise as many fans believed Rattler outperformed Haener over the summer. However, Haener does have an extra season’s worth of practice reps on the team so that could have played into the decision.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Spencer Rattler vs. Jake Haener decision can’t stay a secret for long

The Saints are keeping their decision at backup quarterback close to the vest. But they’ll have to tip their hand on Sunday:

The New Orleans Saints have a backup quarterback controversy — so to speak. Derek Carr is the clear-cut starter, and it’s between rookie Spencer Rattler and second-year player Jake Haener to back him up. The Saints have continued to keep their decision at backup quarterback private, but they’ll have to tip their hand on Sunday.

While the two very well could be close in the race for backup quarterback, it’s unlikely they’re completely even. Someone has the lead, and it will be revealed in this week’s season-opener with the Carolina Panthers. NFL rules require the team to declare a backup and determine who gets a radio headset. On top of that, the third quarterback must be identified so he can be active without counting against the gameday roster limit.

Dennis Allen has deemed the competition ongoing. Rattler and Haener were designated with the dreaded “or” on the unofficial depth chart. This only furthers the notion the Saints are undecided at that position. Whether it’s true indecision or another example of the Saints keeping information close to the vest, a choice needs to be made, if it hasn’t happened already.

Carr will suit up as the starting quarterback, but who will be his backup? If this was a few years ago, the Saints could have dressed both quarterbacks. Now, one will dress, and one will be an emergency quarterback.

Whether Rattler or Haener is behind Carr on Sunday will give us a little insight. There are other factors that go into that decision of who would start in case of an injury to Carr.

By the way Allen is talking, however, the quarterback who stands next to Carr will be the only indication we’ll get on who’s winning the battle between Rattler and Haener, at least for now. This subplot is far from over.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener still competing for backup role

All eyes were on Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler through Saints training camp and preseason. According to Dennis Allen, the battle is not over yet:

The biggest battle of New Orleans Saints training camp is extending into the regular season. Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler were battling for who will be the backup quarterback behind Derek Carr all throughout training camp and the preseason.

Through three games, each player had their ups and downs. It was a consistently close battle that Dennis Allen says still isn’t over. He surprisingly chose not to say who won this battle.

This competition going into the regular season isn’t a huge surprise, though. Of all the battles in training camp, this was the one with the least amount of urgency. This is a battle for the 2024 backup and, most importantly, for the lead in the race to be the heir apparent.

This is why Allen is comfortable getting both reps and focusing on development. That being said, it will be interesting come Week 1 who suits up. Allen can choose to not make a declaration now, but it will be revealed very soon.

The Saints aren’t keeping three quarterbacks active on a weekly basis. Either Haener or Rattler will be active and the other will be the Saints’ emergency quarterback. The player who is active should be looked at as the leader in the competition, but it’s too soon to say who that will be.

The beginning of the regular season will force New Orleans to slightly tip their hand. Haener vs. Rattler may not be concluded, but someone is in the lead.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Broncos QB battle: Bo Nix looks likely to be starter

#Broncos QB Battle is wrapping up with Bo Nix looking to be certain starter, competition now for the secondary slot

Although the Denver Broncos picked up additional quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson as a contingency plan in case 2024 draft pick Bo Nix didn’t gel with the offense, things are looking good for Nix after his start versus the Packers in a 27-2 preseason victory.

Head coach Sean Payton praised Nix following the game but maintains he isn’t ready to drop the name of the starter for his fresh offense. Nix is the clear choice, the rookie from Oregon is outperforming Stidham and Wilson who both have already been in the NFL for multiple seasons.

After this second outing, it seems the question that remains is which QB will end up as backup to Nix, Jarrett Stidham or Zach Wilson? Stidham was backup last season and got called up to start briefly after Russell Wilson was benched.

Zach Wilson is hoping to recover from a tough start to his career. He was brought in to be fresh blood and has delivered a touchdown in the preseason which Stidham hasn’t done, however, his completion percentage hasn’t been stellar in his snaps for the Broncos.

Payton may have a harder time choosing his secondary than he will his starter, this coming game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday will wrap up the preseason and seal the fate of hopeful backups.

Spencer Rattler, not Jake Haener, will take the field as Saints’ QB2 vs. 49ers

Spencer Rattler, not Jake Haener, will take the field as the New Orleans Saints’ backup quarterback against the San Francisco 49ers:

It’ll be Spencer Rattler, not Jake Haener, taking the field as the New Orleans Saints’ backup quarterback on Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Rattler was seen warming up with the second-team offense and will take over for Carr once the starters call it a night.

This was expected, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. The rookie led a game-winning drive in last week’s preseason action and now he gets an opportunity to show what he can do with the second-string offense instead of the third-stringers.

Let’s see how he performs against one of the league’s better teams, even if he’s running against other backups. Rattler has been pushing Haener for thee backup job all summer and a big day at Levi’s Stadium could help his case  to back up Carr this year.

Haener has been ahead throughout training camp but Rattler’s natural arm talent and polished mechanics have cut into the second-year pro’s lead. If Rattler can improve on his decision-making and work out some bad habits like dropping back too far under pressure, the sky is the limit for him.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]