Spencer Rattler 'improving every day' during Saints training camp
Former South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler continues to make steps forward as the rookie fifth-rounder competes for the backup quarterback role with the New Orleans Saints.
Rattler and the Saints are currently in the training camp portion of the preseason, held at Cal-Irvine, and the former Gamecock received praise from head coach Dennis Allen on Monday.
“I think he’s improving every day,” Allen said. “There’s still some things that he’s doing – just understanding how to play within the scheme of the offense, how to get through your progressions, knowing how to listen to your feet, when to take your chances down the field, when it’s time to check the ball down – all those things are pretty good learning experiences.”
Rattler is primarily competing with Jake Haener, the Saint’s fourth-round pick in 2023, for the No. 2 quarterback role behind returning starter Derek Carr.
Rattler’s reps increased on Monday as Haener missed practice due to a procedure related to skin cancer, according to NewOrleansSaints.com.
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With Haener out, the Saints staff chose to put a little extra situational pressure on Rattler.
“I wanted to put him in a situation, fourth-and-5, we’re in a move-the-ball situation see if he could execute and make a play,” Allen said. “And he did, he made a hell of a throw on the out route to get the first down in that situation. So I see some of that confidence, which I think is good at the quarterback position, and yet there’s some times where I think we’ve got to pull the reins back just a little bit.”
Rattler and his patented big arm have reportedly impressed since he arrived in New Orleans but during OTAs, rookie minicamp, and veteran minicamp, he did experience the typical rookie mistakes.
He’s tried to learn from those as the season quickly approaches on the horizon and the competition winds down.
“Just cleaning up fundamentals and working on little things that we noticed in spring ball and OTAs,” Rattler said Monday. “And really improved in some of those areas and came back and got right back to work.
“Just very small things, footwork-wise – false steps, little punch steps on your drop, not getting too much depth, maintaining that circle in the pocket, not hitching too much. Little, minute things that can add up to negative plays. You’ve got to control that and avoid that.”
Rattler will get his first taste of NFL preseason action this Saturday at 8 p.m. when the Saints face the Cardinals.
