Canal Street Chronicles
Despite the loss, I’d say it was a win for New Orleans.
Yesterday, the New Orleans Saints played their final preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. While the team couldn’t get the win, I still think this was a great game by the Saints.
There were a couple of big storylines in play for New Orleans, the biggest of which being the battle for the backup quarterback spot. Alternating quarters, the competition between the Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler would reach its finale. Haener would get the start, and unfortunately wasn’t able to put any points on the board. Ailing from dropped passes, he and the offense would punt on every first quarter drive. The defense wasn’t able to help him out much either, because the Titans easily put seven points on the board.
On the third offensive drive, rookie Spencer Rattler would make his appearance. Immediately the crowd irrupted, something that I was able to hear through the regular TV broadcast. On his first drive, Rattler was able to bring some oomph to the offense. Showing off his talent, he was able to produce the best offensive drive of the preseason. That’s not just including his own statistics, that’s including statistics from all three QBs.
The rookie quarterback was immediately able to connect with another rookie in WR Bub Means for a 13-yard gain. Then the following play is a 14-yard rush by running back James Robinson. By this point the crowd was able to bring a kind of excitement I haven’t seen in the dome for a long time. After a few short gains, Robinson would have a touchdown called back. Then Rattler would throw a beautiful ball to WR Equanimeous St. Brown for a 21-yard touchdown.
Finally on the board, the defense goes out to try and ride the momentum that Rattler brought. Unfortunately, the Titans would still come away with points on a 26-yard field goal but with the naked eye it looked like that the defense was carrying themselves differently. They finally had some mojo.
Rattler and the Saints offense would not be able to score a touchdown on his next drive, but they were able to come away with a field goal. It was a massive one too at 54-yards. The kicker would be Blake Grupe, who’s in his own position battle, so that added a little bit of spice to the whole ordeal.
With less than 30 seconds left in the half, the Titans were able to march down the field-to-field goal range. With four seconds left in the half, Tennessee would attempt a 58-yard field goal. The Saints would have WR Samson Nacua under the uprights, ready to return the kick if able. What followed was one of the most exciting plays of the entire preseason.
Nacua would take it 106-yards to Tennessee’s three-yard line. If not for barely stepping out at end, New Orleans would have gone into the half with the lead.
The Titans would receive the ball at the...
