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Football is back, baby!. It might have just been the preseason, but it’s still something. So with the return of football, comes the return of our “Ups” and “Downs” series. In what was another roller-coaster of a game with plenty of ups and downs along the way, here are a couple that stood out.
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Up: Taysom Hill
It was the first opportunity for the Who Dat Nation to see Taysom Hill throw a pass in a Saints uniform, and with limited opportunities, he showed why Sean Payton is so high on him. He stepped in the pocket and zipped a pass to a Saints receiver.
I like this one by #Saints QB Taysom Hill. Steps up in the pocket, remains poised, avoids pressure and hits the open receiver with a well place throwing allowing him to turn up field. pic.twitter.com/scte2HE9ft
— Deuce Windham (@RevDeuceWindham) August 10, 2018
We also saw that Taysom’s first instinct is to tuck the ball and run, which is perfectly fine as an athlete, but not the best call for a long-term Quarterback in the NFL. It will be interesting to see if Taysom is able to get time with the offensive Ones later in the preseason.
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Down: Tom Savage
This might not be entirely fair, but Savage was largely uninspiring.
He didn’t turn the ball over, but he also missed a couple of open throws that you would expect an NFL quarterback to make. The offense stalled with Savage under center, and with Taysom a spark-plug in the offense when he came in, Savage will need to take a step forward next week if he wants to keep his job as Drew’s primary backup.
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Up: Boston Scott & Jonathan Williams
This might be cheating to pick two Running Backs for a single up, but neither saw enough time to really stand out individually. Scott had a couple of great moments, especially in the return game, and Jonathan Williams was able to keep his legs moving and chug out extra yards after contact. If both can get more time with New Orleans starters and against opposing starters, it will be interesting to see if both can step into their respective roles (Scott as a return specialist and Williams as the third Running Back) by the start of Week 1.
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Down: De’Vante Harris
I get that he’s standing out in practices, but when the lights come on, he’s making too many mistakes. Harris’s highlight reel is a series of Ups and Downs itself.
De'Vante Harris with a great PBU on one play, and an idiotic 5 yard penalty on the next.
— Christopher Dunnells (@dunnellz) August 10, 2018
Classic.
And his first flag, he got another flag on the very next penalty.
I’ve seen enough, and I think we all have. If PJ Williams is hurt, then I can see keeping Harris around, but if Williams is fine, Harris doesn’t have a spot on the roster.