Spencer Rattler has staked his claim as the starting quarterback for their South Division counterparts, the New Orleans Saints. This result follows an ultra-competitive three-month battle with fellow signal-callers Tyler Shough and Jake Haener. The announcement came shortly after Rattler showcased his skills during training camp and preseason games, demonstrating exceptional mobility and confidence. Head coach Kellen Moore was particularly taken with Rattler’s commanding presence and smooth operation of the unit. He acknowledged that Rattler’s killer instinct is a massive benefit.
The Saints opened their training camp with Rattler leading the first-team offense. Little did they know, this quick move would set the stage for what would become a hallmark era for the franchise. The race for the starting spot wasn’t even all that competitive. His steady play both in practice and games was what set him apart from the pack. The crew is getting ready for another fantastic season. Rattler is eager to get this chance and move on.
The Road to Victory
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing on the road to earning that starting gig. Rattler came into the fray with as much background as a past season’s starter. He did have a hard luck record of 0-6 while filling in for an injured Derek Carr. His experience turned out to be key as he exhibited tremendous development throughout training camp. Compared to that, first year Tyler Shough had a tough time adjusting to the professional game.
His performance in both scrimmages and joint practices with the Los Angeles Rams only furthered solidified his standing. He showed great poise and confidence running plays with the first-team offense and kept landing first-team snaps. Moore liked Rattler’s approach to take chances with the big play. He pointed out that this aggressiveness is one of Rattler’s true rare strengths.
“This is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, and it’s here now and I don’t want to waste it. I want to go out there and make the best of it.” – Spencer Rattler
Rattler’s ability to lead the team on crucial drives was evident during the second preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he orchestrated a late-game touchdown, demonstrating his capacity to perform under pressure. It was these moments that eventually led to his being picked as the starting quarterback.
Coach’s Perspective
Their QB coach Kellen Moore told us that the biggest criterion in his evaluation of Rattler was the consistency, or lack thereof. Moore lauded Rattler for his toughness and for how well he short-circuited failure. He thinks that these qualities are ever more important for a successful quarterback.
“Experience is very, very valuable and Spence went through some challenging things last year, and for him to come out of that a better player… was a tremendous testament to his work ethic,” – Kellen Moore
Moore’s strategic vision for the team includes defining roles for every player, ensuring that each individual understands their contributions while still fostering a competitive environment. He said having clear-cut roles has been huge as the unit continues to get ready for Week 1.
“Part of the next week really is really defining roles for everyone on this team, and that’s a challenging part of this as well,” – Kellen Moore
In addition to Rattler’s physical capabilities, Doug Nussmeier lauded his confidence and “swag,” attributes that can significantly impact team dynamics and morale. These qualities make Rattler a natural leader of the field, which empowers him to earn the respect of his teammates.
Looking Ahead
Following Rattler’s announcement as the starting quarterback, Spencer Rattler said he was getting relieved and he was looking forward to a great season in 2023. Having put in the work during training camp and preseason, Rattler knows he’s ready for this new challenge as a starter.
“It’s definitely off my shoulders, but this is something I worked toward and expected… did a great job with everybody.” – Spencer Rattler
Rattler, meanwhile, is preparing for his inaugural game as the Saints’ first-stringer. He’s eager to develop a good rhythm and chemistry with the offense. He’s assumed control when going through practice sessions, confidently commanding the first-team offense and consistently doing so during the course of training camp.
Tyler Shough accepted that it friendly competition between quarterbacks, where all were given a fair amount of opportunities to showcase themselves. Instead, Rattler’s experience obviously has him shining through. He has all our best wishes as he prepares to dive into this exciting new chapter in his career.
“They’ve done a really good job of just giving us… equal chances as far as reps,” – Tyler Shough
With the Saints preparing to establish their roster and gameplan for the regular season, the time is now. Most eyes will be trained on Spencer Rattler. How effectively he can lead and run the offense will be key in deciding how far this team can go in 2023.
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