Tyler Shough and the New Orleans Saints come into their matchup against the Atlanta Falcons riding high off their victory over the Carolina Panthers. One of the most impressive things from that game is how Shough managed pressure in the pocket.
It's always been the biggest criticism of Shough as a prospect, so to see him not panic under pressure was encouraging. It's not a one time thing, however. To truly dispel concerns, this is a trait he'll have to show is behind him multiple times. This week should provide a much bigger challenge.
Atlanta has better pass rushers, who are more likely to get to and rattle a quarterback. Will Shough be rattled or remain the poised guy we saw before the bye. That's not only a key part of his evaluation, it's pivotal to a Saints victory on Sunday.
Tyler Shough faces a much bigger task with Falcons rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.
The Panthers don't have any dynamic pass rushers. The Falcons just drafted two in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. There's just a better chance that that duo gets to Shough a bit more frequently and effectively than the Panthers did.
Shough saw pressure on 11 of his 30 dropbacks. It's important to note his average time to throw was 3.55 seconds, so it's not like pressure was getting there extremely quick. More importantly, he found success against that pressure. He completed five of eight attempts, ran once and was sacked twice.
On none of his passing attempts was he hit while throwing. That's going to change on Sunday. Walker and Pearce are dynamic players, and Shough will be contacted as he throws the football. That hit might not even come from the edge. He may step up and get hit by an interior defender, but those edge rushers are going to cause a greater impact than Carolina's did.
Walker and Pearce have registered 5 sacks over the last three games. I'm much less concerned with if that number jumps to six opposed to how does Shough react to the pressure. Does he show the same mobility with his eyes downfield?
Shough's scouting report says he'll fold under the pressure. Defying that description this week would go a long way to shedding the stigma long term, and those edge rushers being non-factors would speak even greater volumes about your offensive tackles. Either way, pressure on the quarterback is a story to monitor Sunday.