There isn’t much to take from moral victories in professional football, but for the New Orleans Saints this season, the loss to the San Francisco 49ers offered a glimpse at some potential under center.
It was unquestionably Spencer Rattler’s best game as a Saint. Now, that bar isn’t necessarily high.
But it also seems like we should bifurcate Rattler’s 0-8 record and view this year’s 0-2 start in a vacuum.
He completed 73.5% of his passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns to no interceptions – the same performance touchdown-wise as his opposing quarterback, Mac Jones, who has received high praise for his performance on the winning end.
Three days prior to the Week 2 matchup, Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh shared some encouraging words for New Orleans fans about Rattler.
“This quarterback, I’m telling you, he’s going to be household name by the end of the year,” Saleh said. “This kid’s pretty good. He’s a twitchy athlete. He’s got a hell of an arm, very decisive in his decision-making as he goes through his progression and he’s accurate with the football.”
Now, that could’ve all been niceties and respecting the opponent, but Saleh offered that up himself. But Demario Davis, who is performing lights out for a 15-year veteran, spoke about his moxie in his postgame comments following the loss.
"There is something unique and dynamic about him,” Davis said. “He can make all the throws. He is very shifty with his feet and in being able to keep plays alive. I think he has a unique swagger and confidence about him. I think he can just continue to play with that and let who he is come out the more he puts himself on display, the city as a whole will be pleased with him.”
Davis went on to acknowledge that quarterback is the hardest position to play and there’s an inherent pressure that comes with it, but he’s impressed that Rattler has remained himself.
Now, that isn’t a perfect product. Rattler had his misses, including a potential opening touchdown to Chris Olave.
But for a team that’s sitting at 0-2, it says a lot to have one of the most impactful leaders be behind Rattler like Davis is.
Both Saleh and Davis pointed to his athleticism that he’s beginning to show with some more comfort under center.
A lot of rookie quarterbacks are struggling in their first time under center. Rattler has a season on them. But frankly, a season on a dysfunctional team that changed hands at head coach and coordinator midseason might actually hinder development for some.
Rattler has shown an improvement from not just last season, but on a weekly basis. That’s important development out of a fifth-round draft pick.
Now, the team sits at 0-2. How does he respond? Week 3 might be most telling if he can continue to grow and show moxie that gives this team some fight.