Rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough seems likely to be the New Orleans Saints' starting quarterback in Week 1. It's not like they have many great choices.
The Saints are holding a quarterback competition through training camp and preseason, and while Shough had a big mistake on an interception returned for a touchdown, he performed better than his main competition, Spencer Rattler. Rattler started the game, but it might not be long before Shough overtakes him on the depth chart.
Rattler got the start, a nod to his one year of experience. He didn't do much with the opportunity.
The Saints punted on their first possession, were stopped on downs after that despite recovering a muffed punt at the Chargers' 17-yard line, punted again after a three-and-out and then Rattler lost a fumble on a strip sack. Rattler does have some athleticism and got a first down with an 11-yard run on third-and-7 on New Orleans' fifth drive, but that drive also stalled and ended with a punt.
It wasn't exactly the type of audition that Rattler, a fifth-round pick last year, needed. He had 53 yards on 7-of-11 passing and the offense scored zero points in nearly a full first half with him at quarterback. Rattler exited the game with 1:38 left in the second quarter, and Shough came on for his first NFL snaps.
Shough got to run the two-minute offense and completed his first pass for 9 yards.
On the next play Shough missed a deep shot down the right sideline, throwing just a bit long, but rebounded quickly for a nice pass for a 12-yard gain and then another 11-yard completion over the middle. He completed 5-of-7 passes for 42 yards, and had another incompletion when he spiked it to stop the clock. The Saints got their first points of the half with a field goal.
The two-minute offense can simplify things for any quarterback, especially a rookie, but Shough looked very comfortable in that situation.
The third quarter didn't start as well. The Saints went three-and-out, with Shough taking a sack on third down. It got worse. The next possession, Shough threw a pick-6. Shough made a bad decision to throw a well-covered out route and cornerback Eric Rogers broke on his pass, intercepted it and returned it 43 yards for the score.
Shough did get the touchdown right back. He was well protected and found Mason Tipton wide open downfield for a 54-yard score. It was a good play for the rookie and also showed some resilience after a big mistake.
Shough was 15 of 22 for 165 yards, with one touchdown, one interception and he took two sacks. He wasn't perfect but did some things well. Jake Haener, who started games for the Saints last season, took over for Shough with less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Shough showed good poise through some mistakes, which you'd expect from a quarterback who will turn 26 years old in September and played part of seven different college football seasons. Shough had plenty of supporters in the pre-draft process. When the team drafted him and then Derek Carr retired, it seemed clear that he would probably be New Orleans' starter this season practically by default. He hasn't taken the top spot yet, but it might not be too long before he does.
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