Rattler’s Determination in Face of Saints’ Loss

New Orleans Saints’ quarterback, Spencer Rattler, didn’t take advantage of the free weekend to distract himself from the sport. After the Saints’ 33-10 defeat to the Denver Broncos on October 17, most of the team was given the weekend off for recovery and mental reset, especially after their fifth consecutive loss.

Contrarily, Rattler opted to stay in New Orleans, maintaining his focus for his upcoming match against the Los Angeles Chargers. He stated, “Pretty quick turnaround, so I didn’t go anywhere.”

Rattler’s Preparation Amidst Carr’s Absence

Rattler is gearing up for his third NFL start, filling in for quarterback Derek Carr who is recovering from an oblique injury. Saints’ Coach Dennis Allen has suggested that Carr could be back in action next week, implying that Rattler’s stint as the starting quarterback could be brief, unless another injury occurs.

Rattler’s Rough Start and Positive Outlook

Rattler’s initial games have been a bit rocky as the Saints work to break their five-match losing streak – their longest since the 2021 season. In his two starts, Rattler has achieved a pass completion rate of 62.7%, totaling 415 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Despite being sacked 11 times and having three fumbles, Rattler remains optimistic, stating, “There’s going to be bumps in the road, but we’ve got to find a way to make it work.”

Coach Allen’s Support for Rattler

Coach Allen continues to back Rattler, expressing that the rookie’s performance has been commendable, especially when the offensive line has successfully defended him. The focus now is on minimizing rookie errors. Turnovers have been a significant issue in recent games, some directly attributable to Rattler, while others were beyond his control.

Allen and Rattler both agree on the necessity of eliminating such errors, as they move forward with the season and aim to turn their performance around.

Lessons Learned: Spencer Rattler’s Strategy to Improve NFL Performance

Learning to Protect the Ball

Spencer Rattler, a promising quarterback, acknowledges the necessity of improving his ball protection, even when aware of an offside defender. His strategy? “Catch the ball and go down. Don’t attempt to discard it. Dispose of it on time,” Rattler advises. He further elaborates on two instances where fumbling the ball occurred while trying to discard it. His solution? “Release it faster.”

In a match against the Broncos, Rattler managed to throw 25 passes, amassing 172 yards. However, he was sacked six times.

Spencer Rattler’s Philosophy: Avoid Making Bad Plays Worse

Rattler believes in not exacerbating a bad play. He advises against behaving like a superhero trying to salvage the game with a big play. “Just take us to the next down when it’s needed,” he says. He feels that excluding a couple of plays from each game would lead to an overall better performance. “It’s a straightforward fix, and it will be accomplished,” he assures.

Allen commends Rattler’s attitude, stating that the promising star has managed his two starts well, without letting pressure consume him. “He’s a genuine competitor. He loves the unique challenge that each week in the league offers him, particularly as a rookie,” praises Saints quarterback coach, Andrew Janocko.

Dealing with NFL Challenges as a Rookie

Janocko continues, “Rattler’s experience has prepared him for the challenges of the NFL. He’s always ready for the next play and the next task, keeping everything centered.”

Rattler’s approach to game film is rather optimistic, focusing on the positives rather than dwelling on one or two poor plays. Even though he’s stern with himself, he’s learned how to handle adversity from his college football career. Rattler acknowledges the struggles of many rookies in their early starts, but refuses to label his own performance as struggling. “We have to make it work, seize the opportunity, rely on our teammates, and maintain confidence,” Rattler says.

Reasons for Rattler’s Optimism

Despite the challenging start, Rattler remains confident ahead of his next game. His first two NFL games were amidst what Saints General Manager, Mickey Loomis, dubbed “an avalanche” of injuries. The injured Saints included three starting offensive linemen (Erik McCoy, Lucas Patrick, and Cesar Ruiz), starting linebacker Pete Werner, tight end Taysom Hill, and the team’s top two receivers, Rashid Shaheed and Olave. McCoy remains on injury reserve, and Shaheed is out for the season. However, the rest of the group, including Olave (concussion protocol), rejoined practice on Wednesday, potentially returning for the game against the Chargers on Sunday.