Tag: Taysom Hill

Taysom Hill getting starter’s reps in Saints practices before Falcons game

The New Orleans Saints have given Taysom Hill, not Jameis Winston, starting quarterback reps in practice before their Atlanta Falcons game.

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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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BetMGM: Despite QB uncertainty, Saints comfortably favored over Falcons

BetMGM favors the New Orleans Saints to beat the Atlanta Falcons despite not knowing whether Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill is at quarterback

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The Atlanta Falcons will kick off with the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome this week, and Drew Brees will not be in at quarterback for the first time in the rivalry’s history — at least back to 2005 (14 years, 11 months, and 11 days, to be exact). Either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill will get the start in his place as he recovers from serious chest injuries.

However, the oddsmakers at BetMGM Sportsbook are still expecting plenty of points to be scored, and for the Saints to win comfortably. New Orleans is favored by 5 points against an over/under of 49.5, the third-highest total of the week. That projects a final tally in realm of Saints 27, Falcons 22. Not too shabby for the Brees-less Saints, if it holds true.

So which games are expected to reach higher scores? Thursday night’s tilt between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks carries an absurd over/under of 57.5, while the inter-conference matchup of the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts nets a 51.5. We’ll see if everyone can live up to expectations.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Report: Second opinion confirmed initial Drew Brees diagnosis

ESPN reports that the second opinion New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees sought on his injured ribs and lung confirmed the diagnosis.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees sought a second opinion after being diagnosed with five fractured ribs and a collapsed lung following Sunday’s win over the San Francisco 49ers, and ESPN’s Ed Werder followed up his earlier reporting by adding that the additional feedback Brees received confirmed the bad news.

Brees is expected to miss at least two weeks while recovering, and while the ribs should heal soon the larger issue is his injured lung. It’s vital that he be able to breathe unimpeded before participating in any sort of football activities, so it’s impossible to say how long he could be out of action without knowing the extent of the damage.

That puts Jameis Winston in the driver’s seat to start in Brees’ place the next few weeks, though it’s possible Taysom Hill gets the nod instead. But Winston makes more sense given his extensive pro starting experience and NFL-quality mechanics as a passer. Sean Payton has declined to name a starter yet, so we may not know for sure until Sunday’s game with the Atlanta Falcons.

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Why the Saints’ Taysom Hill may be fantasy football relevant in certain leagues

For real!

Among NFL fan and fantasy football circles, Taysom Hill is a divisive name.

It’s because the New Orleans Saints forked over a lot of money to retain his services, and then he’s used by Sean Payton for a bunch of running plays (and the occasional tight end situation) that mostly don’t do much.

In the fantasy world, he siphons away work from other key players on the Saints, and it can be maddening for Alvin Kamara or Michael Thomas owners to see Hill get the ball at the goal line.

But there’s a wrinkle to his situation now. The man who should be given QB/RB/WR/TE eligibility might be given A LOT more attention this week. And in ESPN leagues, Hill has both QB and TE eligibility:

So here’s why I think this is relevant: in case you didn’t notice, the tight end position stinks. And if Hill ends up under center this week instead of Jameis Winston (feels unlikely but you never know with the way the Saints seem enamored with Hill) with Drew Brees out, he has the chance to put up QB numbers at a position that isn’t quarterback.

Even if Hill doesn’t go under center, he’s had five or more carries in each of his past three games and has gone 35 yards or over. This season, he’s caught six passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. And this week, the Saints play the hapless Falcons, a team that’s good against the run but terrible vs. the pass.

So in ESPN leagues? I’m giving Hill a shot if I absolutely need a tight end. In Yahoo leagues, he’s only QB eligible, and unless you find out he’s the starter this week and you’re desperate, I wouldn’t use him.

So give him a shot in leagues where he’s TE-eligible, keep an eye on the news … and we’ll see if he pays off on Sunday.

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Drew Brees shares update, says he ‘will be back in no time’

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees shared an update on his chest injuries on Instagram, showing off some support from his family.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is going to be sidelined a few weeks with significant chest injuries, but he’s got great support to help him through his recovery: his family.

Brees shared a photo on his official Instagram account of his children surrounding him at home on the couch, checking up on their dad. While the kids were playing with a set of toys like a stethoscope and otoscope, the 41-year old quarterback was using one piece of legit medical equipment.

The photo shows Brees breathing into an incentive spirometer, a tool that prevents air pockets in the lungs from collapsing. While it’s commonly used for patients recovering from chest surgery, it’s also useful to those with respiratory issues from rib injuries like the ones Brees suffered.

Initial reports suggest the Saints will be without Brees two or three weeks, but potentially longer depending on his recovery. The Saints don’t have a matchup against a team with a winning record until Dec. 20 (versus the Kansas City Chiefs), so he’s set up well to take his time returning if backups Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill prove they can hold down the fort.

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Sean Payton not ready to name a starting quarterback after Drew Brees injury

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton was mum on details to Drew Brees’ injury, as well as whether Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill replaces him

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With New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees reportedly managing multiple rib injuries and a lung issue, Saints coach Sean Payton has a big decision ahead of him: naming a new starter. He has two options between free agent signee Jameis Winston and versatile backup Taysom Hill, but Payton is in no rush to tip his hand before kickoff with the Atlanta Falcons.

If Payton stays true to his word, it would be Hill. He’s told anyone who would listen in recent years that Hill is his quarterback of the future, likened to Steve Young as the famous heir to Joe Montana. But Payton’s actions have told a different story. When Brees missed five games with a thumb injury in 2019, he passed over Hill to call up Teddy Bridgewater instead.

And in Week 10’s matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, Hill was again spurned in favor of Winston. Converting the timing-based offense built around a pocket passer to a mobile, slower-processing prospect in Hill likely requires more time than Payton can commit during a game. So while Hill is in the pole position to start in 2021 after a full offseason of preparation, expect Winston to remain the go-to quarterback in relief of Brees.

Payton also declined to share an official status update on Brees; he said that the Saints will wait until Wednesday when they are required to do so on the injury report.

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Drew Brees on his game-ending injury: ‘I was not going to be able to be effective’

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees shared an update on the injury that knocked him from a game with the San Francisco 49ers.

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Something happened to the New Orleans Saints that they haven’t encountered before: Drew Brees pulled himself from a game after suffering an injury. Brees went down hard after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Kentavius Street on Sunday, and while he was able to close out the first half, he made a tough realization after the adrenaline wore off during halftime.

Saints coach Sean Payton said after the game that Brees approached him and said that he wouldn’t be able to go after his injury, explaining that he wouldn’t be able to function. It wasn’t a question of pain tolerance as much as a mechanical issue. Payton added that Brees is scheduled to receive an MRI and an X-ray on his damaged ribs.

Brees himself spoke briefly on a media conference call, breathing gently and clearly subdued by the pain.

“I actually felt terrible before the two minute drive, but just had to find a way,” Brees said, referring to a possession he capped with a touchdown pass to Alvin Kamara. It was the final pass he threw on Sunday, ceding the job to Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill after halftime.

He also explained that it was a cumulative problem, snowballing with other injuries to his back and throwing shoulder. He won’t know how many ribs were injured until further testing, but acknowledged, “Probably more than one.”

And while the Saints don’t know who will play quarterback in Week 11’s game with the Atlanta Falcons, Brees is determined to remain in the conversation, finishing: “I’m going to do everything I can to be as effective as possible next week.”

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Saints: Drew Brees questionable to return vs. 49ers with ribs injury

The New Orleans Saints announced Drew Brees was questionable to return against the 49ers with a ribs injury, putting Jameis Winston in.

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A tough situation forced the New Orleans Saints to give Jameis Winston, not Drew Brees, the starting nod to open the second half against the San Francisco 49ers. The team announced that Brees is officially questionable to return with a ribs injury, and he didn’t take the field on either possession early in the third quarter.

Brees was spotted wearing a padded flak jacket earlier in the game, but a violent sack from 49ers defensive lineman Kentavius Street may have exacerbated the problem. He had been limited on recent injury reports with an issue to his throwing shoulder, so hopefully these are not related problems.

Unfortunately, the Saints need to take a hard look at their approach with Winston running the offense. He was twice pulled out and replaced by Taysom Hill, who failed to convert either of his third down opportunities after a run stuff and a sack. They also needed a timeout to shuffle personnel when Hill stepped in for Winston.

On another day, with more prep time, the two-quarterback system might be more smooth. But in such a high-leverage situation like this it’s vital that they give Winston the keys to the offense and stop taking him out of rhythm.

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Jameis Winston starts the second half for Saints vs. 49ers

New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Jameis Winston started the second half against the San Francisco 49ers instead of Drew Brees.

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The New Orleans Saints received the opening kickoff of the second half, and they started the possession with a new quarterback under center: Jameis Winston, not Drew Brees. Brees had been limited on the injury report in recent weeks with a right shoulder issue, his throwing shoulder, and he was spotted spending extra time warming it up before the game started.

A big sack by 49ers defensive lineman Kentavius Street appeared to aggravate the issue, and the Saints later announced that Brees is questionable to return with a rib injury..

For his part, Winston stepped in to lead the huddle, though the Saints quickly punted after three plays. Taysom Hill stepped in for a third down run, replacing Winston, but confusion the personnel package forced the Saints to take a timeout and regroup. Hill’s run was stuffed at the line of scrimmage, prompting a punt. Winston completed his lone pass attempt for an 11-yard gain.

When Winston and Hill returned to the bench, they sat apart from Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. while reviewing plays on a Microsoft Surface tablet. Brees was separate a few spots down with his own tablet and wearing a baseball cap, not his helmet.