Saints: Jameis Winston impressed in a huge way in first training camp practice
By Kristen Wong
The fan votes for the Jameis Winston-Taysom Hill showdown are in, and the winner is…Winston.
But it’s also still early to tell.
The long-awaited New Orleans Saints’ quarterback competition began with the Saints’ first training camp practice session on Thursday. Taysom Hill took snaps on the first team offense while Jameis Winston played with the second team.
Sources say Sean Payton will change the quarterback rotation throughout camp, with today’s rotation looking like: Taysom Hill, Jameis Winston, and Trevor Siemian, and Ian Book.
Despite Hill starting in the first-team, those in attendance had eyes only for Winston sharp throwing abilities and composed nature.
Take a look at the compliments:
First practice over. Taysom Hill went first on Day 1. Thought Jameis Winston looked composed. Made some good throws, especially when he fooled a safety with a pump that helped open a deep throw
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) July 29, 2021
Jameis Winston certainly looked the sharpest of the QBs with Day 1 in the books. Specifically in the third set of team drills. 5-5 highlighted by a perfectly timed deep ball to Deonte Harris for a TD.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) July 29, 2021
Thought Jameis Winston had a great day. Made several nice throws. By far the best QB performance today of the four.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 29, 2021
High praises for someone who, if you don’t already know, recorded 30 interceptions in 2019.
Jameis Winston gets “oohs” and “aahs” from New Orleans Saints training camp crowd
Currently, given Payton’s previous remarks about the quarterback duel and the fact that Hill was chosen first in the rotation, Hill might get the slight nod. But Winston’s natural and proven quarterback talent will make sure Hill plays with a short leash (he is, after all, Payton’s pet in a lot of ways).
After all, Hill’s versatility may end up working against him given his sparse experience at signal-caller. Over the next few weeks, Winston may start to separate himself from the pack and really blossom into a smart, durable, and strong-armed quarterback this camp.
He’s clearly already won over some fans.
Both Winston and Hill are confident locks for the roster (Siemian and Book can battle it out for third), and between the two arms, it will likely come down to the final days of training camp for Payton to decide who will replace Brees.
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Coaches and onlookers will continue scrutinizing every one of Winston’s and Hill’s moves. For now, it’s one point for Team Winston.