Tag: Spencer Rattler

Chargers beat the Saints for first time since Drew Brees was their QB

This hasn’t happened in 20 years. The last time the Chargers beat the Saints, Drew Brees was their quarterback:

This hasn’t happened in 20 years. The last time the Los Angeles Chargers beat the New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees was their quarterback. But that feat repeated itself on Sunday when Justin Herbert quarterbacked the Chargers to a 26-8 win. The Saints fell to 2-6 on the season after benching rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler in hopes that Jake Haener could provide a spark. New Orleans still lost 26-8.

So what happened last time on Nov. 6, 2004? Brees outdueled Aaron Brooks in a 43-17 romp, throwing four touchdown passes (three of them to star tight end Antonio Gates). Deuce McAllister led the Saints with 63 rushing yards and kept the team in the game with an early touchdown run of his own, but he couldn’t do it all himself.

Of course things took a surprising turn in the years to follow. Brees suffered  a career-threatening shoulder injury and was let go into free agency, where the Saints signed him.  A few years after that McAllister led the team out of the tunnel in their bid to win Super Bowl XLIV. The rest is history. The Saints won four in a row against the Chargers including an overtime victory in 2020.

And it’s all behind us, now. What matters most is that the Saints can’t get out of their own way and end this losing streak. They don’t have a quarterback like Brees on the roster anymore, though the Chargers have something special in Justin Herbert. If New Orleans can’t get back in the win column soon, these memories will be all they have.

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Saints bench rookie QB in the second half vs. Chargers

The Saints benched rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler in favor of Jake Haener after falling behind in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers:

The New Orleans Saints have made another change at quarterback. Second-year backup Jake Haener stepped in for rookie passer Spencer Rattler late in the third quarter of Week 8’s game with the Los Angeles Chargers.

To that point, Rattler had completed 12 of 24 passes for 155 yards, taking three sacks. The Saints were trailing 16-5 and clearly hoped Haener could provide a spark.

We’ll see if it works. Haener led the team’s only touchdown-scoring drive a week ago in the Saints’  Thursday night loss to t he Denver Broncos, so he clearly has some command of the offense. Both quarterbacks are backing up Derek Carr once he returns from an oblique injury but the starter is likely still a week away.

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Week 8 broadcast map: Will your station carry Saints vs. Chargers?

The New Orleans Saints’ Week 8 game against the Los Angeles Chargers is a strictly local affair per the 506 Sports broadcast maps:

The New Orleans Saints are back after a 10-day break since losing to the Denver Broncos on “Thursday Night Football.” This week, they square off with another AFC West team, the Los Angeles Chargers. New Orleans opened up Week 7 and the Chargers closed it on Monday night.

The Saints return a much healthier team than last time you saw them. They bring back key pieces, such as Chris Olave and Taysom Hill, to help Spencer Rattler in his third start. Improved health should to improved offense which hopefully leads to breaking a five-game losing streak.

The Saints’ trip to the West Coast results in the Saints first late kickoff of the season. Saints versus Chargers will air on FOX, but will you be able to catch it in your local area? Kickoff is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT on FOX.

If you’re in Louisiana or parts of its neighboring states, the answer is yes. The Los Angeles to San Diego area is also showing the game on local channels. Per 506 Sports, only local areas are televising the game. Chargers vs. Saints, unsurprisingly, doesn’t have much national appeal.

Coverage of this week’s game is reflected in green on this map from 506 Sports. See if you’ll catch the broadcast from your local FOX affiliate station:

Rookie Saints QB will have his best supporting cast in Week 8

Spencer Rattler is finally getting a stronger supporting cast in what will likely be his last start. The Saints’ rookie QB must make the most of this opportunity:

Week 8 is probably Spencer Rattler’s last start of the season, barring any setbacks or another injury to starting quarterback Derek Carr. It’s also the first time to get a real evaluation of Rattler.

The New Orleans Saints’ injury woes have been a frequent topic of discussion and the biggest losses have been on the offensive side of the ball. Rattler has played both of his starts without starting offensive linemen Erik McCoy, Lucas Patrick and Cesar Ruiz.

Rattler played with star wideout Chris Olave for just three snaps, and he only had Rashid Shaheed for a game. Do-it-all tight end/fullback Taysom Hill hasn’t taken the field during Rattler’s short run as starter.

Outside of McCoy and Shaheed, all of those pieces are coming back this week. For the first time, fans will see Rattler with multiple reliable weapons and, hopefully, consistent protection.

It’s one thing for a veteran to play without some of these pieces. That’s a rough position to put an experienced passer in. It’s even a bigger challenge to ask a rookie to start his career with an empty cabinet.

Rattler’s stretch of starts may end Sunday with Carr expected back next  week. Luckily for him, it’s his best chance at showcasing his potential before Carr returns.

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Derek Carr’s Week 8 injury designation is a bit misleading

Saints QB Derek Carr is doubtful not because there’s a chance he can start in Week 8, but rather to keep the door open in case of emergency:

Derek Carr began throwing the football over the weekend and had a few more throwing sessions this week. New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen is on record saying Carr playing this week was unlikely, but don’t allow Carr’s injury designation to make you think hope is still alive.

The Saints listed Carr as doubtful for one reason. They want to have the option to name him the emergency quarterback. If Carr was ruled out ahead of the game, he wouldn’t be able to assume this role.

Spencer Rattler is the starter and Jake Haener will be his backup. Carr’s ability to be the emergency quarterback is a good sign for his recovery, but it does not mean he’s healthy enough to start a full game and throw 20 or 30 passes. Allen has said before that his issues are mechanical, not related to pain tolerance. If there’s a hitch in his windup or some limited range of motion or torque, it could be disastrous.

Russell Wilson was the Steelers’ emergency quarterback for weeks before becoming the starting quarterback when he was healthy enough to play. That is essentially what this would be if Carr was the emergency quarterback in Week 8.

The Saints went through this process last week, but ultimately opted to make Carr inactive on game day. Still, they kept the door open, and that’s what they’re trying to do now.

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5 Saints players to watch vs. Chargers in Week 8

The Saints are in the midst of a five-game skid, but the Chargers will still have to keep their eye on a few playmakers this weekend.

The Chargers are back to .500, and now they are set to face the 2-5 New Orleans Saints. After a blazing hot start to the season, the Saints have lost five consecutive games.

Injuries have caught up to them, particularly at the quarterback position, but they are better than their 2-5 record suggests. Here are some Saints players to keep an eye on in this Week 8 matchup.

RB Alvin Kamara

Even at 29 years old, Kamara remains the Saints’ most dynamic weapon. The veteran has 690 yards from scrimmage and seven total touchdowns in seven contests this season. As usual, he’s been used heavily in the passing game, leading all running backs with 34 catches. Expect more of the same in Week 8, especially if Derek Carr is ruled inactive.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The seventh-year veteran was released by the Bills just over a week ago and then picked up by the Saints earlier this week. Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans’ primary deep threat, is out for the year with a knee injury. Valdes-Scantling has been known for his big-play ability throughout his career. Even if he doesn’t get on the field much, the Chargers secondary will need to keep an eye on him due to his speed.

TE Taysom Hill

He’s become a jack of all trades for the Saints, as he can line up virtually anywhere on the field. Hill is a weapon in the red zone, where New Orleans uses him as a runner. He’s averaged 5.5 yards per carry on 14 attempts this season, in addition to two rushing touchdowns in three games. Hill has missed the past month with a rib injury, but he’s set to return this weekend and the Chargers will need to account for him, particularly in the redzone.

LB Carl Granderson

Granderson continues to make his name as one of the more underrated pass rushers in football. With Cameron Jordan’s play declining, Granderson has stepped up. He’s tabbed 29 QB pressures, three sacks, and a forced fumble on the season. While the Chargers possess one of the best tackle duos in football, Granderson could pose a problem this weekend.

CB Alontae Taylor

In coverage, Taylor hasn’t been necessarily great. Entering Week 8, he ranks 174th out of 195 qualified cornerbacks in pass coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. On the flip side, though, he’s been one of the best blitzers in the NFL. Taylor has racked up 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, some exceptional numbers out of a defensive back. Greg Roman and the Chargers offense will need to make sure to account for Taylor on blitzes so that he doesn’t affect the outcome of the game.

Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 8 opponent: Saints

Here are some important things to know about the Saints ahead of the Week 8 matchup with the Chargers.

The Chargers return home to face the Saints on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 1:05 p.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 8 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

How things are going…

The Saints are 2-5 on the season. New Orleans has lost its last five games.

Rookie under center

The Saints announced they’re starting first-year quarterback Spencer Rattler for the third straight week. Rattler was thrown in as the starter when Derek Carr sustained an oblique injury in Week 5. This will be Rattler’s first game on the road. The former South Carolina product has completed 62.7% of his passes for 415 yards with one touchdown to two interceptions.

Could be getting some key players back

Aside from being without Carr, the Saints were without some other important offensive players last weekend against the Broncos. Wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) and tight end Taysom Hill (ribs), who were both out in Week 7, returned to full participation at practice Thursday. Additionally, guard Cesar Ruiz and linebacker Pete Werner were present for practice.

Run all over

The Chargers struggled to run the football last Monday. However, there is an excellent opportunity for a bounce-back performance against a Saints defense that is allowing 146.7 yards rushing per game and 5.4 yards per carry. Since Week 3, New Orleans has allowed 901 yards on the ground, the most in the NFL in that span.

Look out for…

Running back Alvin Kamara. Cardinals RB James Connor had his way with the Chargers defense. Now, Los Angeles will prepare for another one of the league’s better backs. Kamara is a dual-threat weapon who’s posted 690 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.

Just two Saints didn’t practice on the first Week 8 injury report

Just two Saints didn’t practice on the first Week 8 injury report. Dennis Allen’s team is getting healthier, but it is too little, too late?

Just two members of the New Orleans Saints didn’t practice on Wednesday, according to the first Week 8 injury report. Dennis Allen’s team is getting healthier, but it may be too little, too late. That’s what we’ll be looking to find out against the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday.

Starting quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) is probably another week away from returning to the field. Backup left guard Nick Saldiveri (shoulder), thrust into the starting lineup after attrition wore down the options ahead of him, also sat out Wednesday’s practice but he’s expected back soon. This isn’t as serious as the shoulder injury that cost him his rookie season.

So while there are a ton of players listed on the Saints injury report (14 of them in total), all but those two practiced in some capacity. Two key players practiced fully on Wednesday while receiving treatment from the training staff — starting cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler (hip), this week’s starter.

That’s a marked improvement. We’ll keep tabs on everyone’s status throughout the week, but here’s the initial injury report:

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Saints starting QB’s recovery picking up steam as he begins throwing sessions

The door is officially open for a Derek Carr return, as he has begun throwing the football again. His recovery from injury is picking up steam:

The New Orleans Saints have been without Derek Carr for the last two games. The Saints quarterback suffered an oblique injury on his last throw of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Spencer Rattler has taken over in the last two weeks and will continue to hold that title as long as Carr is out. It appears Carr is getting closer to returning, as he has begun throwing the football.

Dennis Allen relayed this message on Monday saying Carr “had a throwing session today, he’ll have another throwing session tomorrow, and see where we’re at.”

Carr showed his toughness by fighting through injuries last year. Allen has made it clear this injury isn’t about the ability to grit through pain. It’s about the ability to move. Carr beginning to throw opens the door to a return at anytime.

Allen called Carr questionable for this week’s game before seeing Carr throw, and called a Week 9 return “very likely.” If Carr’s throwing sessions go well enough, we may see an early return. That wouldn’t be known until late in the week, though.

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Saints won’t be changing their plans at quarterback any time soon

The Saints won’t be changing their plans at quarterback. If Derek Carr can’t return this week, Spencer Rattler will start, not Jake Haener:

There isn’t any question about who the New Orleans Saints want starting at quarterback — Derek Carr is who head coach Dennis Allen believes gives them the best chance to win each week. But Carr is still recovering from an oblique muscle injury and not expected back until Week 9’s game with the Carolina Panthers at the soonest, which means it’ll be one of his backups starting again in Week 8’s road trip to face the Los Angeles Chargers.

And Allen isn’t deviating from his path. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler is preparing to start his third consecutive game, not second-year pro Jake Haener.

“No, the plan would be to stay with Spencer. And I think Spencer has done some good things,” Allen began, “I mean obviously there are some rookie mistakes. Got to do a better job of protecting the football, that would probably be the biggest thing we have to do a better job of. But I feel when you go back and watch the tape and he’s got protection, I thought he did a good job of throwing the football and creating some things with his feet. He was accurate when he was outside the pocket. So I’ve seen a lot of good things from him. We’ve got to eliminate some of the negative plays.”

Through two games, Rattler has completed 47 of 75 passes for 415 yards with one touchdown against two interceptions. He’s also been sacked 11 times. Of the 28 quarterbacks with fewer than 100 dropbacks this season, Rattler is the only one with double-digit sacks. He’s also one of six quarterbacks with multiple interceptions on such a small sample size.

But so long as Carr is out dealing with an injury during the week, it’ll be Rattler preparing to start in his place. Allen and the Saints coaching staff want him learning from these mistakes and working to overcome adversity so he can develop into a better pro. Haener is waiting in the wings for his opportunity.

He certainly made the most of it against the Broncos. The Saints pulled Rattler after he suffered a hip pointer injury late in the fourth quarter, but Haener led the offense into its only scoring drive of the night, which ended with a touchdown pass to Cedrick Wilson Jr. He completed 3 of 4 passes for 38 yards after taking over at midfield.

For now, that’s all Haener can do. Until Carr is cleared to practice fully and lead the offense himself, all eyes are on Rattler. The rookie needs to keep working and improving and make sure his coaches’ eyes don’t start to wander in the meantime.

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