New Orleans Saints Quarterback Taysom Hill
Post Practice Media Availability
Wednesday, September 18, 2019

How ready would you say you are to possible get a chance to play some quarterback this week?
"Ready in terms of like excitement?"

Excitement.
"I'd be really excited. I think this is what every kid dreams of. Having an opportunity to play in the NFL and so I'd certainly be ready and excited, but we'll see what happens."

Is there a balance there in that this increased role at quarterback might decrease your role in the other areas?
"I'm going to do what they ask me to do. I think as far as (special teams) schemes, those questions would be better for (Darren) Rizzi and (his) staff. My expectation is to still be very much involved from a special teams standpoint and offensively (as well). Obviously, today we had our first practice, first install of kind of what we're going to do. We'll kind of see how things develop as the week goes on."

Sean Payton said today to us his plan is to use two quarterbacks. How grateful are you to hear that you're part of the plan?
"Any opportunity that I've had to get on the field, I've been very excited about. I love being out on the field. I love competing. I love playing with my teammates. My mindset is no different than it was last week or the week before. I'm going to prepare the best I can to take advantage of every opportunity and try to make the most of each of those opportunities. The preparation, the excitement, everything is the same. We'll see kind of what that role is going to."

How different was it not having Drew (Brees) out here today?
Drew has been the heart and soul of this team for a long time. It was hard when he went down. I've been with him for the last few years. I know how hard he works. I know how he prepares each week. To see a guy put so much into the game and go down is a tough thing to swallow. I think, personally my mindset, I don't want to speak for everybody on the team, but I think the mindset is that man, we're going to do everything we can to win football games for that guy because he did so much for us. The hope is then in a few weeks he can come back and we're in a great position for him to step back in and do his thing."

How impressed have you been just early on so far this week seeing Sean Payton's ability to get creative in a situation like this and then have an effective plan B?
"Again, our base install was today, so I think there's still a lot more to come. I would say Drew's been the heart and soul, as I mentioned earlier. But Coach Peyton is leader of this team. I will tell you from the day that we arrived here until now, his spirits have been really positive, really good, and that energy and his positivity throughout the week has been something that we've all felt. I know that I've certainly appreciated it."

Is there a difference in mentality at all knowing that you're kind of one play away from being the quarterback in terms of kind of the style that you play regardless of the role that Coach Payton assigns to you on Sunday?
"Sure. This is a new role for me or something I'm not used to. My expectation was to get on the field and play previously and I had to make sure I was up to speed with all of that stuff, but now I cannot really focus in on what that role is going to be. I have to be able to know the ins and outs of all the gameplan. That mindset is definitely different. I'll be ready and I'll prepare and go from there."

Have you and Teddy Bridgewater been in conversation with Drew (Brees) and has he talked about how you gameplan for Seattle?
"I have talked to Drew. As far as preparation and everything else, I haven't had any conversations with him about that, but look, I have been following Drew around since the day I got here. I know how he prepares and I know what it takes to play at a really high level. Drew's not here, which is disappointing, but I'm sticking to the same routine. I'm doing what he'd do is if he were here and if he was preparing to play. That same mindset mentality is something that he taught me and something that I'll continue to do."

How would you describe your relationship with Teddy (Bridgewater) and your ability to work together in a situation like this?
"It's great. I love Teddy. I think from the second he got here last year and through this year, we've become friends and I think our QB room is really close. I am rooting for him. I know Teddy's rooting for me. We were there to support Drew when he was the guy. That mindset is no different. I think we both have the same goal and that's to win football games. It's a good room and we're definitely cheering for each other."

Playing time is not often divided up between quarterbacks, but if it is, you're confident that the two of you will be okay with however it's divided up?
"I have no ill feelings toward Teddy at all and I know Teddy feels the same way towards me. Again, as I mentioned, the number one goal's to win football games. We trust Coach (Sean) Payton and the staff to put together the best plan to help us do that. We're going to do our best to execute it."

How were Drew Brees' spirits when you talked to him?
"They were good. Look, it's a disappointing thing to go down, something that I am familiar with (in college). The mental and emotional aspect of that's very difficult, but Drew's a top class guy and he handles everything he does with dignity and this has been no different."