The NFL doesn't tend to grade on a curve, yet rookie Spencer Rattler's first two starts at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints at least may deserve some consideration for the approach.
Rattler will make his third start Sunday, when the Saints (2-5) face the Chargers (3-3) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
In Rattler's first start, against Tampa Bay, the Saints were without four players (tight end Taysom Hill, left guard Lucas Patrick, center Erik McCoy and right guard Cesar Ruiz) who started the season opener. In his next, against Denver, New Orleans remained without that quartet and added to the list starting receivers (Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed).
Help may be on the way Sunday; Hill, Ruiz, Patrick and Olave practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday. Olave remains in concussion protocol but the other three are trending toward rejoining the lineup on offense.
"It's always great getting your guys back, getting your vets back, the guys who have done it, been to war, know everything, so you can lean on them," said Rattler, who has completed 47 of 75 passes for 415 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions and two lost fumbles. He has been sacked 11 times. "So it's always good getting guys back. Excited to play with a few guys I haven't played with yet, so we're all excited."
"Getting guys back that you planned on being starters, you planned on counting on – and some of these guys are kind of key cogs in what we do offensively – so hopefully we're able to get a majority of these guys back and be more consistent offensively," Coach Dennis Allen said.
"We've done some good things, we've moved the ball at times, but then we've made some critical mistakes that have cost us. Hopefully that will help us be better."
The returnees possibly can help with that process for Rattler, who's clear about his biggest area of need for improvement.
"Hopefully, don't make a bad play worse," Rattler said. "Don't try to be a superhero and try to make that big play, just take us to the next down when it's needed. I think you feel much better if you take out two plays from each game coming out of it. It's a simple fix and it'll get done."
Rattler specifically referred to a second-quarter play against Denver. On first-and-10 from the Saints' 30-yard line, he fumbled the snap and recovered at the 22, then fumbled as he was sacked at the 19. The Broncos recovered and returned for a touchdown, but the play was nullified by an offside penalty.
"I knew he was offsides but just catch the ball and go down, don't try to throw it away, (or) throw it away on time," Rattler said. "There are two fingers on the ball, I was trying to throw it away. Get it out quicker, it's that simple."
That aside, Allen hasn't seen Rattler have a mental dip.
"I don't think he lets a lot of stuff get to him too much," Allen said. "There's been some bright spots in the things that he's done, and yet there's things that he has to improve on, which is to be expected for any rookie and in particular a guy that's playing the quarterback position.
"And look, he's been thrust into a little bit of a difficult situation with a lot of guys up front that were banged up and (out of the lineup) and last game, missing the two starting receivers. But I think overall, I think he's done some good things and I'm excited about seeing him operate, and hopefully getting some guys back."
Sunday could be Rattler's final start; Derek Carr (oblique) is going through the progression and throwing, Allen said. He'll start when his functionality reaches game effectiveness.
But two starts in five days, plus the added days of rest and preparation that came from playing last Thursday night against the Broncos, has Rattler hopeful that improvement is imminent.
"With three games in 11 days – especially with a lot of young guys in, including myself, making our first few starts – there's going to be bumps in the road," he said. "But we've got to find a way to make it work. I think having a full week of rest, getting guys back, getting your body back, your mental back, is going to be great for us.
"I think it's a constant grind every single day. First few starts, a lot of things I could do better. Happy with a lot of the stuff as a group and personally as well, but a lot of area to improve. This week, just focusing on improving on all the little things. Really honing in on my craft and just trying to be the best for this team."
