Due to the number of injuries that the team was facing, the New Orleans Saints had to lean on their rookies in week six.
Most notable of the bunch was quarterback Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round NFL Draft selection out of South Carolina. With Derek Carr out with an oblique injury, he was given the nod over second-year QB Jake Haener.
Rattler grabbed the bull by the horns and made the job his until Carr’s return. Showing great command of the offense, he would complete 22 out of 40 passes for 243 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He also had four scrambles for 27 yards. Of course, there were the expected rookie mistakes, but what Rattler showed on Sunday only added to the legend that is the agenda.
“I think a lot of people should be encouraged, I think the people of New Orleans should be encouraged that he’s so young and did so well.” Tight end Juwan Johnson said of the QB.
His favorite target of the night was fellow fifth-round selection Bub Means, a wide receiver out of Pittsburgh. They connected on five plays for 45 yards and one touchdown. Not only was said touchdown the first of the game for the offense, but it was the first of the respective players’ careers.
“When I go out there with Spence, he knows a little more of my game, where iam be at, what kind of release I’m going to take,” Means said in the post-game press conference, “We just play off of each other”
Spencer Rattler would return the sentiment.
“He’s (Bub Means) has been grinding in practice, and we’ve been talking about ‘when your time comes, make those plays’ Rattler said, “I was happy for him, I think he was one of our leading receivers, and made some big-time plays.”
The touchdown wasn’t the only impressive thing that Means did Sunday afternoon. He showed off an ability to make contested catches, something that the New Orleans offense has sorely missed. Personally, what Means was doing reminded me a lot of former Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas.
Once again, Taliese Fuaga was solid at left tackle. According to PFF+, his run blocking was the best it’s been all season with a grade of 84.9. While the pass-blocking wasn’t at the best of his career -he had a score of 57.1 on PFF+ – it was still an improvement over last weeks, where his pass-block grade on PFF+ was 28.0.
Second-round cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry also had a few appearances. Being targeted four times, McKinstry allowed three receptions for 35 yards.
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