Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Yes, it's a loss, but it's preseason. So who cares. We all came to see what's happening with CKM's team and the QBs of course.

In my view, it's work in progress, to understate the obvious. The defense appears to have improved, although hard to tell just how much with this preseason personnel. Some flashes with a few of the draftees. The QB battle appears unsettled. Both missed TD opportunities. The INT was boneheaded. The way I looked at it, Shough did more with less time, despite the INT. His reads and execution appear a tick or two quicker. Let's switch it up next week with Shough beginning the game and then Rattler coming in. It still may not be enough to discern the starter, but we'll get a better feel for it. We need a better running game if we're to be feared on offense. We still have weaknesses on the OL, despite the number 1 draft picks accolades. TE is a major weakness too.

It's good to have football back. Who Dat!

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Shough is the real deal, as I've said all along. I can see greatness in the man. Give him some time to work out some issues and we're going to have a franchise guy.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

I thought the team was lackluster in general. But what can we expect from Game 1. I've seen teams undefeated in preseason tank the entire regular season, and vice versa.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Just happy football is back.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

It was getting boring this last week. Football is STILL not in full swing, but I'll take it too!!

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Did not see anything with Rattler that was different than last year. Shough made mistakes but he moved the ball and just looks like he need more rep’s especially with the 1’s.

Go with Shough if he does not show the potential to be a Franchise QB this season draft another one next year. Don’t see that in Rattler or Haener and I was high on Haener being a solid prospect. Rattler was a good story … but you can only read that story so many times

California Dreaming in SoCal for the month doing dinner and car show in Ventura tonight. Back for 9/7/25 WhoDat67.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

There is no QB on this team that is “our guy”.
I’m sorry to be the person to say it. But there just isn’t.

Am I going to watch? Of course. But we just don’t have anything.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Here we (don’t) go again, again.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Meh … pre season game 1.

Wasn’t all that impressed with the QB position & Saints need depth at oline.

And the Foskey dude is looking like a poor 2nd rd draft pick.

He’s super stiff, no moves or the ability to set the edge.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Bobby’s synopsis was similar to mine :bng:

- Oline depth has to be better.
- Form tackling is key.
- Some of these lower round guys are playing more inspired ball than these higher “rated” draft picks.


Time for film study to improve next game.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

I watched most of the game.

IMO, Rattler looks the same as he did last season. Shough obviously had ups and downs but seems to have the higher ceiling.

What had me rolling my eyes: O line injuries.

What left me feeling good: The defense, depth and speed all over the field. Also Special Teams.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

I don't understand how someone can make a judgement on Shough as not being "our guy" after 1 preseason game that wasn't even with the first team. I thought he played well for his first game. When we got Brees, did anyone think he was our guy? I remember people being skeptical of that as well.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Trade Rattler and Penning to the Chargers for Trey Lance immediately.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Rattler started off well. He had a 9 yard pass to set up 2nd and 1. Saints tried to run it and got nothing setting up 3rd and 1. Rattler hits Wilson on the busted coverage for 21. Comes right back and scrambles for yards. 2nd and short. They get a first. They end up running for 1 yard on a 2nd and 10 setting up 3rd and 9. He hits an open guy and gets half that yardage. It's preseason so there's a huge chance they go for that but holding on Penning makes that 3rd and 19. Drive sabotaged with a penalty.

They get the ball back off the muffed punt. 1st and goal they run an end around and lose yards. Rattler sacked on 2nd down but doesn't lose any yards. Rattler scrambles to the 1 on 3rd. No tush push. No tunnel screen. No pick. No bootlegs. No fades. Just an inside zone from the Gun that loses 3 yards on 4th and goal at the 1. Drive dead.

Next drive Rattler throws a ball that Stoll should have caught on 2nd and 7. Instead we end up 3rd and 7 and Austin catches a pass short of the sticks. 3 and out.

Next drive is the sack fumble. They got immediate pressure as soon as Radunz was placed at RT. He was beaten immediately.

Rattler scrambles for a first on the next drive. They try to get Velus Jones in space and loses yards AGAIN. Rattler hits Bub Means with that laser. Not sure how he got the pass there. They get a first. False start. 1st and 15. Sack. 3rd and 16. Punt.

That ends Rattler's night. Then we get to see Shough run the 2 minute offense. He did what he was supposed to do. He took what the defense gave. And the defense gives a lot in a 2 minute.

Shough gets sacked and goes 3 and out. Shough throws a pick 6. Shough throws a TD.

On his 4th drive he starts off great, then takes a big sack that sets up 3rd and 19. 4 and out.

His final drive he completes a few passes and the drive stalls.

Shough threw double the amount of passes. We can chalk that up to situational football. The running game wasn't working and we were down so he got to chuck it more. I wasn't particularly impressed, but I do see the natural gifts.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Lance is horrible. He’s traveled the league as a back up for a reason. I would rather go with what we have to see if there is any potential. Trading a starting guard and a backup qb for a backup qb is beyond ignorant.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

That's the series he had Miller for an easy TD if he leads him with a throw.

Shough missed on a slight overthrow #81 for what may have been a TD.

Agreed we saw Radunz fail. Both QBs had those challenges.

Too much scrambling IMHO from Rattler whom had the benefit of playing a bunch of games last year, albeit behind a line full of injuries, not so dissimilar from yesterday's game. He's certainly tall enough to be a QB. It just looks as if he's trying to look over the line for an opportunity to throw. Maybe that's why he takes longer to read defenses. Who knows. Shough seemed to be quicker in both reading and executing throws. Does his 6'5" frame help him more? When Shough rolled out he was always scanning the field for a throw. Rattler didn't for when he had the chance to get Miller on an easy TD.

We'll see in the next game with the switcharoo starting QB lineup.

May the best man win!

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Tyler Shough leads drafted rookie quarterbacks in passing yards

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Both Brees and Shough threw their first TD to the Chargers.

Is that an omen, a sign? Are the Saints eventual SB winners with the similarities of the genesis of Brees and Shough?

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Shough made a few mistakes, but that is completely expected in first actual NFL level game play. I can't remember who said this, but they said that one thing about Shough is that when he does make a mistake he recognizes it and never makes the same mistake again. It may have been Coach Moore. Interceptions are to be expected in practice and in preseason for new QB's in learning what they can and cannot get away with. Brees said the same thing years ago when asked if he was worried about picks he threw in camp. He called it something like testing the limits.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Hall of Fame, Baby!!

:bng:

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Oh you still think Penning is going to be good?

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Shough got the 2 min that Rattler deserved. Interesting who Kellen threw the softball to...

To your point about the o line mix (esp Radunz), it's difficult to judge true QB performance that I'm left feeling "incomplete" on both. Like I said, Rattler looked about the same has he did last year and I can see what they like about Shough.

I'm eager to see practice this week and preseason game 2 for how these two respond but as of now, this still feels like a team in need of a true #1 QB

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

It's going to be a looooong season.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

The fact Shough got the 2-minute drill told me Moore really wants to play his guy. There's no reason not to get your potential starting QB some reps in a 2 minute situation. Especially when his previous drive didn't end all that great. I say end the competition and start Shough no matter what. Let him play. See what you got. You spent a 2nd rounder on him. Either he leads you to the promised land or you fall on your sword. He didn't draft Rattler and Rattler isn't doing enough to completely separate himself anyway.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

No one has mentioned it but first rounder OT Kelvin Banks looks good.

Good mechanics & technique.

Banks and Fuaga could be nice bookends for years to come.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Tackle - Center - Tackle is a recipe for success. It's those Guards...

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Penning has improved greatly by moving to guard. He is our starting guard which means the coaches see him as the best on the team. He will be serviceable for sure. Lance will not

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Why did Rattler “deserve” the 2 min drill? He didn’t do anything with the first 28 minutes

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Rattler got way more minutes.

Let's be fair and see what happens next game.

There is that school of thought that since Rattler had his opportunity last year and didn't look like a Purdy, his odds were uphill. Maybe that's why CKM wanted to hedge his bets in drafting Shough. That being said, y'all's assessment is prolly spot on. Rattler has not stuck out like a sore thumb, like Purdy did in his only opportunity.

I think it's the end as a Saint for Pretty Boy Haener. They'll keep Hunter Dekkers. I wish we'd just see him for a couple of drives in the next two games.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

He deserved the opportunity to finish what he started. He earned that opportunity throughout the offseason. Shough was given the chance to throw double the amount of passes. The best throw of the night was Spencer Rattler to Bub Means on that out route. He also had 3 big scrambles. 2 that got us a 1st and another that put us at the 1 yard line. They score at the goal line with everything else remaining the same and this is a different convo. So nah, I wouldn't say he did nothing. He deserved the 2 minute drill for the same reason he deserved to start the game.

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers
 

Here is the facts and I’m not biased either way. Rattler played the better D and ran for his life. Plus had 2 dropped balls. Shough had way more time and no dropped balls against a worse D. I don’t think we can judge on either. Both close. Put full O line in with legit wr and see what happens. And o the most important! zero run game. Top rb Rattler. Top 3 runs per carry. Our 3 qbs. Maybe blame the line for making them run for their lives!

Re: Observations from the Saints' Preseason Game vs Chargers