Tag: Starting

Saints won’t wait long to make a decision on their starting QB

The Saints won’t wait long to make a decision on their starting quarterback after Derek Carr’s injury. Darren Rizzi says he likes both Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener:

The New Orleans Saints have a big decision to make. Starting quarterback Derek Carr went down with a broken hand in Sunday’s win over the New York Giants, and if he can’t play next week against the Washington Commanders, one of his backups will step in.

The question is whether it would be Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi told reporters Monday afternoon it’ll be decision he makes with input from the offensive coaching staff, but that Rattler won’t be starting just because that’s who got the nod last time.

“I think this is new ground, if you will, so we’re going to press the reset button here, it’s a clean slate, and make a decision,” Rizzi said. “Again I’m not ruling Derek out, and I’m not declaring a starter just yet. We’re going to kind of put it all on the table and see what we feel. But I think both guys, I go back there purposefully with the look squad every week, and Jake and Spencer both have really done a great job at practice. So I think both guys bring positivity to the table.”

Rizzi previously said that Carr won’t be going on injured reserve, and the team is exploring all options to see if he can continue to play through injury. But he’s also working his way through the NFL concussion protocol and there’s a good chance he won’t be cleared in time for next Sunday’s game. So Rizzi plans to choose either Rattler or Haener soon.

He was asked whether the typical gameday arrangement with Haener being the active backup behind Carr and Rattler inactive as an emergency third quarterback suggested Haener was ahead, but Rizzi downplayed that notion: “That’s been the case the entire season. He’s been the number two in every game we played whether Derek or Spencer was the starter. We felt like, the offensive staff felt like, that was the (best) situation.”

While it’s possible Carr’s situation could change drastically enough in the next 24 hours that he’s cleared to start in this week’s matchup, odds are either Rattler or Haener will be leading the first-team offense when the Saints kick off their next practice on Wednesday.

“I’m not trying to be a fence-sitter here,” Rizzi continued. “I think both guys give us a chance to win.”

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Will Mike Tomlin choose loyalty over Beanie Bishop Jr. in Week 10?

Mike Tomlin has mishandled Steelers’ positional battles in the past. Could Beanie Bishop Jr. and Cameron Sutton’s situation may be next?

Pittsburgh is currently facing another positional battle, which is typically a good problem to have. However, CB Beanie Bishop Jr.’s selection as the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month in October, along with his overall performance in 2024, has muddied the waters surrounding CB Cameron Sutton’s inevitable return. 

Bishop took the high road, stating that he is not only unfazed by potentially losing playing time to the veteran CB but is also excited for Sutton to rejoin the team. 

Tomlin, however, enjoys letting these positional battles unfold before making quick decisions. As seen with Roman Wilson’s usage prior to his hamstring injury, Tomlin may choose players he trusts, or those to whom he is loyal, over quality play. 

In Week 10, is Sutton the next player to ‘earn’ starting responsibilities over a younger, more dynamic player? Only time will tell, but it will be interesting to see how this positional battle unfolds before the Black and Gold faithful’s eyes. 

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Did the center-QB snap exchange issues get Justin Fields benched?

Is Justin Fields’ benching the result of the perfect storm that is Zach Frazier’s injury, and the young QB’s botched snap exchanges?

Steelers fans, including myself, are still reeling in confusion after head coach Mike Tomlin all but directly stated that Russell Wilson would be the starting quarterback in Week 7. While this information is being confirmed through practice reps, it doesn’t provide fans of the 4-2 Justin Fields any sense of clarity. 

There are some rumors and conspiracy theories, such as the Steelers wanting to avoid giving the Bears a conditional fourth-round pick, Justin Fields being available for trade before the deadline, or even issues that haunted the young QB earlier in the season: fumbles on the center-quarterback exchange. 


Fields has been on the receiving end of some seriously botched snaps, some caused by the center, but most by the quarterback. With C Zach Frazier OUT due to injury and a new, unproven center taking his place, Wilson, who has 188 career games of experience under center, seems like the responsible option in terms of ball security, rather than a quarterback with proven snap-handling issues. 

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Steelers’ RB eases tension on Week 7 QB decision in hilarious fashion

Steelers’ RB Cordarrelle Patterson added some much needed humor in response to fan backlash over HC Mike Tomlin’s QB decision for Week 7.

While his performance in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts was spectacular, Steelers’ running back Cordarrelle Patterson’s true gem has been his social media interactions.  Fans were treated to a rather funny courting by Patterson, not once, but twice directed at former Raiders WR Davante Adams to come play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While fans were eagerly anticipating the potential arrival of Adams, many were disappointed on Monday morning to find out that not only had the New York Jets acquired the 31-year old All-Pro receiver, but that Mike Tomlin had all but confirmed Russell Wilson would start over the 4-2 Justin Fields.  To alleviate some of the backlash directed at his current team, Patterson jokingly told the ‘Steel City’ who the real quarterback in Week 7 would be.

 

Patterson has truly added some much needed comedic relief during trying times for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the fans will excitedly wait for his inevitable return from injury.

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Steelers insider believes Russell Wilson’s takeover is imminent 

Steelers insider Gerry Dulac argues why Russell Wilson will more than likely get the starting nod at quarterback in the near future.

Everyone can agree that Pittsburgh’s offense is simply not good right now. The issue with the offense is what fans consider debatable, as some argue the blame should lie with Justin Fields, while others argue it is the lack of playmakers in the wide receiver room. Fields has shown flashes of greatness, but he has also shown a tendency to fumble the football, while also showcasing his poor decision-making. 

Steelers insider and reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Gerry Dulac, wrote an article that highlighted the inevitability of Russell Wilson getting his shot to start for the offense.

Dulac stated: “The Steelers wanted a quarterback the other team would fear when the game is on the line, the way Tomlin feared what might happen against Prescott. Which is why, at some point soon, Tomlin will make the decision to switch to Wilson”. 

It is hard to argue that Wilson isn’t far more reliable to win games, and it is also difficult to make the case to continue to ride the hot hand of Fields, who at this point has grown cold. 

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Report: Saints rookie QB ‘is a strong candidate’ to start in relief of Derek Carr

Report: Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler ‘is a strong candidate’ to start in relief of Derek Carr, but the Saints will weigh their options:

Now this is interesting. After reporting that New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is expected to miss multiple games with an oblique injury, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport added that rookie passer Spencer Rattler “is a strong candidate to get the start” while Carr is on the mend.

That’s surprising given Jake Haener, not Rattler, has been the initial backup for Carr all season. Whether it’s mop-up duty or relief for an injury, it’s been Haener going into games whenever Carr has stepped out. But this might suggest offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak would rather go with Rattler if he’s given a full week of practice reps to prepare for a matchup.

And that would make sense. No one questions whether Rattler is the most talented passer out of the three. The concerns surround his inexperience. Two of the game’s most aggressive defensive coordinators are waiting for him in Todd Bowles (with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Vance Joseph (on the Denver Broncos), so that would be an uphill battle for anyone, especially a rookie making his first two starts. The Saints drafted Rattler in the fifth round this year out of South Carolina.

We’ll see what happens. Rattler and Haener are both viable options, but that also means neither is overwhelmingly favored to a point where it’s an easy call to make. A bad experience out of the gate could doom a quarterback’s career before it starts. Just look at what happened to Carr’s older brother on the Houston Texans way back when.

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Justin Fields had a HILARIOUS response to being second QB on the depth chart

Justin Fields responded hilariously and maturely to a reporters question on his depth chart placement behind Russell Wilson.

It appeared that Justin Fields’ performance in Week 3 had all but solidified his spot atop the quarterback depth chart. However, this past Tuesday, it was reported that Russell Wilson was still listed as the starter.

Most quarterbacks would’ve had their confidence shattered by this revelation, but Justin Fields isn’t like most quarterbacks. Fields has demonstrated humility, maturity, and confidence in his own ability throughout the entirety of the starting quarterback competition.  Fields will have another chance to prove himself as he prepares to make his fourth consecutive start against the Indianapolis Colts, with Russell Wilson still limited with a calf injury.

Fields, in good spirits from the opportunity in front of him, gave an incredible response to a reporter asking for his opinion on the depth chart listing:

https://twitter.com/_MLFootball/status/1839470881912897557

Fields will look to win his fourth straight start this week on September 29th, 2024, at 1:00 PM EST. Perhaps this will be the week that forces Mike Tomlin’s hand in naming Fields the long-term starter moving forward.

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Falcons return to Desmond Ridder as their starting QB vs. Saints next week

Desmond Ridder is back in the Falcons’ starting lineup. After sitting two games, he’ll be their starting quarterback against the Saints in Week 12:

The Atlanta Falcons have decided Desmond Ridder will be the starting quarterback going forward, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. This takes away the mystery of who the New Orleans Saints need to prepare for in next week’s pivotal NFC South showdown. Both teams have a bye week in Week 11, so they have an extra week to rest.

Ridder started the season under center and remained there until he was sidelined by a concussion in Week 8. Taylor Heinicke finished that game and started the next two weeks. When Heinicke suffered a hamstring injury, Ridder came in to finish the game, and he has now reclaimed his starting position.

His first game back in the starting lineup will be versus New Orleans. Last time Ridder played the Saints was the first start of his career — Atlanta lost that game 21-18 with Ridder going 13-of-26 for just 97 passing yards, taking four sacks, and rushing 6 times for 38 yards. This season he’s 4-4 as a starter while throwing 6 touchdown passes against 6 interceptions, having rushed for 150 yards and 4 touchdown runs. He’s also fumbled 7 times.

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Bears to start backup QB Tyson Bagent against Saints in Week 9

The Bears will start backup QB Tyson Bagent against the Saints in Week 9 while Justin Fields recovers from an injury:

The New Orleans Saints are getting a lucky break against the Chicago Bears this Sunday, with the Bears starting that backup quarterback Tyson Bagent will start, not Justin Fields. Head coach Matt Eberflus announced the news in a Monday afternoon appearance on the Waddle & Silvy Show on ESPN 1000. Fields has been sidelined by an injury to his throwing hand after dislocating his thumb.

Bagent did enough for the Bears to win his first start two weeks ago, but he was limited to just 232 yards with two interceptions by the Los Angeles Chargers this past Sunday. The former college standout at Division-II Shepherd University has looked the part at times but a strong pass defense like the Saints’ squad should challenge him.

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Saints start rookie safety Jordan Howden, not Marcus Maye, vs. Colts

The Saints shook up their secondary by starting rookie safety Jordan Howden, not Marcus Maye, against the Colts. Maye was questionable to play:

This was a little surprising. The New Orleans Saints shook up their secondary by starting rookie safety Jordan Howden, not Marcus Maye, against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. It meant that most of their rookie draft class was active in a game for the first time this season — everyone but fourth-round quarterback Jake Haener, with sixth-round receiver A.T. Perry finally dressing out.

So what went into that decision? Maye was questionable to play after a hamstring injury limited him throughout the week; he was also listed with an illness on Friday’s injury report. So Maye was watching kickoff from the sidelines while Howden started next to Tyrann Mathieu over the top. When the Saints went into dime personnel (where Howden normally goes into games), versatile defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. got the nod.

Much like the case with Andrus Peat a few weeks back coming off an injury, the Saints appear willing to play Maye in an emergency, but they’d rather have him on standby while putting other players into the game. But Howden’s emergence as a starting-quality talent shouldn’t be overlooked. Few teams have drafted and developed defensive backs like New Orleans, and more positive plays from Howden will only open up more opportunities for him.

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