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The New Orleans Saints need to go for “upside” at quarterback

By Justin Dunbar

Aug 9, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis (left) talks with Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis (left) talks with Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Sean Payton Would Maximize a Mobile Quarterback

One benefit of the projection models I am able to construct is that it can come up with play-caller grades, and recently, Sean Payton hasn’t rated out well.

However, I believe this is more about him being constrained by Brees. Brees doesn’t like to use a lot of play-action, doesn’t push the ball down the field, and was a liability down the stretch.

This hasn’t been the case in the past. Payton is generally one of the most aggressive coaches in the league, and with Brees struggling this season, I believe he bought into the idea he could win with a strong defense, running game, and by limiting turnovers.

That ultimately did not play out, as expected, and I wouldn’t expect Payton to continue to adopt this strategy.

With Taysom Hill, Payton utilized a heavy dosage of play-action passes, early-down passes, and took shots down the field.

Heck, he was even a little more aggressive on fourth downs. If Payton was able to lead a competent offense with Hill, imagine what he could do with a more qualified quarterback with athletic traits.

This isn’t a certainty, but based on his reputation, previous tendencies, and from reading the tea leaves, I’d expect a much more aggressive Payton in 2021. Thus, why not gamble on a quarterback whose abilities he can help maximize?

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