We are once again trying to solve the Taysom Hill mystery
No matter how dire the Carolina Panthers season becomes, one source of joy we can always count on here at Cat Scratch Reader is asking rude questions of our division rivals. The 5 Questions series is here to help us maintain perspective and get to the bottom of our enemies’ most confusing conundrums. This week, for example, we really drilled into why, exactly, Taysom Hill is still being paid so handsomely—or even at all—by the New Orleans Saints.
For that and slightly more relevant information ahead of the Panthers vs Saints Week 1 match up, read on:
The quarterback controversy in New Orleans is now entering its eighth year as Taysom Hill has once again and against all odds made the Saints’ roster while carrying the fifth highest cap hit on the team. Who are fans rooting for to take the reins, and who can we expect to squander the most red zone opportunities between Hill and Derek Carr?
There was a 0% chance Taysom Hill didn’t make this roster, although his position has been changed back to TE following the NFL reverting its emergency QB rule to the 2023 season. Under new OC Klint Kubiak, expect Taysom to be heavily involved in 2024, as there are few people in NFL history that can do what he can on the football field. He is the team’s best run-after-contact player with a star-level burst out of the backfield, and while we know what he can do with the football in his hands, he also displayed his willingness and ability to block during the preseason.
When it comes to the QB controversy, there really isn’t one. Derek Carr will be the team’s starter for the 2024 season, no ifs, ands, or buts. However, rookie Spencer Rattler’s impressive offseason has Saints fans eager to see more of #TheAgenda. Life after Drew Brees hasn’t exactly been all sunshine and roses for New Orleans, but Rattler’s arm talent and mobility appear to be what the QB room has been missing for some time now, and I expect him to get his shot as the Saints’ starting QB in the future. It wouldn’t surprise me if he becomes the backup this season should Carr miss any time.
Ultimately, we may see Taysom run the football in the red zone, but I’d expect any passes to come from Carr.
Did Dennis Allen remember to build a defensive line this year? If so, out of what?
The Saints’ revamped pass rush looked absolutely dominant this offseason. With the addition of DE Chase Young and the continued development of DE Carl Granderson and DT Bryan Bresee, the team introduced their ‘NASCAR’ package, moving future HOF DE Cam Jordan to the inside. This group looked unstoppable together in the preseason, making it nearly impossible for the opponent to block all of that speed and power at once. Additionally, New Orleans drafted promising rookie DT Khristian Boyd while still having star LB Demario Davis in the mix.
The Panthers did forget to build a group of edge rushers this year. How are the Saints tackles projected to fare against below-average competition?
The offensive line is definitely the Saints’ weakest position on the roster, as they are still searching for veteran depth to add to the room. The only proven and returning starters are C Erik McCoy and RG Cesar Ruiz. Veteran Lucas Patrick is now starting at LG, Trevor Penning has made the move to RT, and rookie first-round pick Taliese Fuaga is transitioning to LT after playing primarily on the right side in college.
In regard to the Saints’ tackles, Penning hasn’t shown enough improvement throughout the offseason to give me confidence that things will click for the former first-round pick as he enters his third NFL season. On the other hand, Fuaga appeared as polished as a five-year pro in the first action we saw from him in his new position. With franchise RT Ryan Ramczyk out for the season due to a knee injury, New Orleans decided it’d be best to give Penning a fresh start at RT while drafting Fuaga in the first round to protect Derek Carr’s blindside.
I’d expect a strong performance out of Fuaga and hope to see the same from Penning.
Is Alvin Kamara still a thing? Do you expect him to play a full season or break 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career as he enters his eighth season? Now that I look at these timelines, is Hill the curse y’all have to bear to keep using Kamara’s talent?
To put it simply, the Saints’ run game was pretty much nonexistent last season. New Orleans was ranked 32nd in use of motion for the 2023 season, which hindered the offense’s ability to expand, eventually becoming easily predictable. Expect Alvin Kamara to return to form this season in Kubiak’s offense, as we have already seen him used in creative ways throughout training camp. Kamara possesses rare balance and agility and has carried one of the heavier workloads in the league for a receiving back. Early in his career, the pair of Kamara and Mark Ingram II formed one of the NFL’s deadliest RB duos, also known as ‘Boom-and-Zoom,’ which likely contributed to him not yet recording a 1,000-yard rushing season. New Orleans prefers not to place all the burden on one tailback and believes in the success of running back tandems, as they have also paired Kamara with RBs Latavius Murray and Jamaal Williams. However, this could be the year Kamara finally breaks through and achieves that 1,000-yard rushing milestone.
I wouldn’t say Kamara and Taysom have taken each other’s snaps, as both players provide different skill sets and complement one another. When a shifty, elusive runner is needed to make the defense miss or catch passes out of the backfield, Kamara is the go-to back. When a power runner is needed to pick up short yardage, Taysom or Jamaal would be the ones you turn to.
Give it to us straight, what’s your pick for this game, and what will the final score be?
Personally, I have the Saints winning this game 17-13 in their season opener at the Caesars Superdome. Hopefully, the offense can get into a rhythm early on. I’d like to see New Orleans develop a run game and target the middle of the field, which they rarely did last season. In terms of the defense, I’m fairly confident in their ability to give Bryce Young and the offensive line some trouble.