Reports coming out of New Orleans this week suggest franchise quarterback Drew Brees is on the verge of returning to the lineup. However, it’s clear to New Orleans Saints fans that their backup quarterback continues to improve in Brees’ absence. The possibility Drew Brees could be unseated as the starter in New Orleans by Taysom Hill highlights the list of questions Sean Payton will face over the next few weeks.
Taysom Hill Highlights Making Quarterback Decision Difficult for Sean Payton
Drew Brees Eager to Return
Brees is keen on a return to the field this week to face the Philadelphia Eagles. Just four weeks after suffering multiple rib fractures and a collapsed lung following a brutal hit in the team’s win over the San Francisco 49ers. A tackle 49ers defensive end Kentavius Street was flagged for roughing the passer.
The future Hall of Famer Brees is enjoying a quietly impressive statistical season. In an offensive scheme that relies on ball-control and elite accuracy in the passing game Brees once again leads the NFL in passing accuracy. Completing 73.3% of his passes through the nine games he has played.
Brees has stated he is taking his recovery one day a time, and Head Coach Sean Payton has revealed there isn’t a rigid timetable for his return. However, it’s clear Brees is anxious to return to the lineup in what could be his final playing season. With retirement rumours understandably swirling around the 41-year old quarterback, Brees is desperate to get as many reps under his belt before the postseason as possible.
Taysom Hill is Improving as a Passer
The New Orleans quarterback situation is not as controversial as the media like to make it. Brees is clearly the starter. It’s similar to the situation Payton faced last year when Brees missed five games with a thumb injury. Backup Teddy Bridgewater led the Saints to 5-0 record in Brees absence, leading to questions as to who should be the starter going forward. But when the time came, Brees slotted back into the lineup.
This season with Brees on the sidelines, Hill is also undefeated as the starter, going 3-0. Moreover, two of those wins came against division rival Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta always plays New Orleans close, no matter how far apart each teams ceiling is that season. Hill overcame the challenge and even excelled in moments.
Hill’s ability as a passer was the biggest question mark heading into his audition as the Saints starter. However, in the two wins over Atlanta, he earned passer ratings of 107.0 and 108.9. In the latest of his victories this past week, the gameplan was clearly designed to let Hill loose passing. He threw the ball a career-high 37 times, including two touchdown passes in the teams 21-16 victory.
The Quarterback Controversy
The question isn’t if Brees will return to the lineup. The more appropriate questions Sean Payton needs to answer are when and if he should? Brees was fine as the starter, but the offense as a whole was clearly limited. The Saints have been bounced from the playoffs the last two seasons because of offensive inefficiency against better playoff defenses.
Hill as the teams full-time starter might not be the answer to New Orleans playoff woes. However, Taysom Hill highlights are some of the most dynamic in the league. He offers elite athletic abilities as a runner, averaging 5.3 yards a carry in 2020. Hill has also showcased some ability in the passing game that defenses have to respect moving forward.
To reiterate, the Saints offense relies on efficiency, specifically limiting turnovers and controlling the time of possession. This gives one of the leagues best defenses appropriate time to rest between drives. The most obvious way to achieve this is with an effective running game. With Hill as the starter, the Saints have rushed for 229, 166 and 207 rushing yards over three starts.
Sean Payton has to decide if relying on Brees’ passing accuracy is a sustainable offense against elite defenses. Or if the versatile running game at his disposal with Hill in the lineup gives his team a better chance of controlling the time of possession in the playoffs.
The Verdict
The Saints face the Eagles in Week 14, looking to hold onto the number one seed in the NFC. It’s unlikely Brees will return this week, opting for an extra weeks recovery before a Week 15 showdown with defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs.
New Orleans has evolved a new type of ball control offense the last few seasons. Relying on Brees’ elite and historically good accuracy as a passer to consistently move the chains. But this offense has failed in the playoffs. In New Orleans last two playoff losses, they have failed to score more than 23 points in each.
If Hill plays well once again and beats the Eagles this week more questions will be asked concerning the team’s quarterback room. At the very least, Hill can earn more playing time with another solid performance.
A playoff game in January where Drew Brees sits out for drives at a time is not beyond the realms of possibility.
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