Taysom Hill Produces Mixed Bag Of Results As Saints Fall To Ravens
Aug 14, 2021, 10:33 PM
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 14: Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints scans the defense against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Taysom Hill was the first quarterback onto the field for the New Orleans Saints in their preseason opener of the 2021 season. Does it tell the story of what will happen when the regular season kicks off? No.
The quarterback battle to replace future Hall of Famer Drew Brees will rage on between Hill and Jameis Winston after the Saints produce six turnovers in a 17-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Hill started strong, leading the Saints on their first offensive possession inside the Ravens yard line, highlighted by a beautiful strike for 23 yards to Saints wide receiver Marquez Callaway.
Taysom Hill looking sharp 🎯 @T_Hill4 #NOvsBAL pic.twitter.com/eXA1Hea5MN
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2021
On the next play, the drive stalled as running back Latavious Murray fumbled the football.
The next series saw Hill produce his own turnover on a 3rd & 8 pass intended for Ty Montgomery. Hill was picked off by Ravens defensive back Geno Stone.
Saints’ Sean Payton said the INT from Taysom Hill intended for RB Ty Montgomery was a case of “not on the same page with the receiver and the quarterback. Bad by both of ‘em. Certain looks you sit it down, certain looks you stay on the move. And they weren’t on the same page.”
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 15, 2021
Sean Payton classified Hill’s interception as a case of “not on the same page with the receive and the quarterback.”
Hill led one more offensive series for the Saints, generating little to no offense on that possession. In his three drives, the former BYU star quarterback finished 8-of-12 on his pass attempts for a total of 81 yards and one interception. He was sacked one time for a loss of 12 yards.
One thing of note from Hill’s performance, he didn’t have any rushes. Last season, Hill finished third in rushing yards, with 457 yards behind only Alvin Kamara and Murray.
Jameis Winson didn’t fare much better, going 7-of-12 for 96 yards. He did complete a touchdown pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey for eight yards in the second quarter. But like Hill, Winston also had an interception himself.
Taysom Hill and the Saints head back home to the Superdome to face Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday, August 23 at 6 p.m. (MT).
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
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