Kellen Moore clearly hasn't learned his lesson when it comes to Taysom Hill. For the second game in a row, Moore has prioritized Hill over the New Orleans Saints rookies. Against the Carolina Panthers, it was just Tyler Shough. This week, it was Shough and Devin Neal.
Moore has laid out the Saints are in an evaluation period (their way of saying rebuild,) but the usage of Hill suggests otherwise. An evaluation year would mean taking a hard look at players who may be a part of the Saints' future. That simply isn't Hill, so giving snaps to him that could go to Shough or Neal, especially Shough, feels counterproductive.
This isn't an advocation for Hill to be removed from the offense. Moore clearly values what he brings, but it's definitely time to scale back Hill's usage. At 35 years old, the plays aren't as effective as they used to be, and Hill isn't going to be playing for much longer.
Kellen Moore choosing Taysom Hill over Tyler Shough in a critical moment is poor coaching
Some will argue about Hill versus Neal, but there's no argument to be made about choosing Taysom Hill over Tyler Shough. That's exactly what Kellen Moore did, though, when he opted to throw the football on fourth and goal with Taysom Hill.
Even Hill's biggest defenders had to be scratching their head on that one. Hill's super power is his running. If you're going to throw the ball, You give that opportunity to your potential franchise quarterback to do it. Using Hill to throw the ball took away a teaching moment for Shough, and that's where it becomes a coaching flaw.
Whether you succeed or fail, it's a teaching experience. You get to evaluate then coach up Shough on operating in those situations. You get to try out new plays with him. Shough failing hurts in the moment, but it has room to be a teaching moment in live action. Hill failed, and all you can get from that is a "we'll get them next time." News flash, it didn't happen.
Devin Neal never touched the field in a goal to go situation
On the drive where Hill threw a pass on fourth down, Neal didn't even see the field with four snaps in a goal to go situation. Why? Neal was getting tough yards. It would be nice to see how he runs at the goal line. It would be nice to see him try to find a crease and fight through contact.
Instead you gave that chance to Hill. It's clear Moore views Hill as the secondary rushing threat. With Kamara out for multiple weeks, Hill having the most carries can't be the game plan. Kendre Miller suffered a season ending injury, and it's going to be harder justifying giving him large opportunities. That's what Devin Neal is here for.
Neal showed flashes in the passing game, and had some tough runs on Sunday as well. You want to see more of that and, specifically, more of it in critical situations. Neal may not be the first name that pops up when thinking about the future of the New Orleans Saints, but he very well could factor into it. We'll never know until Moore lets the future take precedent over Hill.