After first start, Saints quarterback Taysom…
After first start, Saints quarterback Taysom Hill has attention of Broncos' defense
In relief of an injured Drew Brees, Hill passed for 233 yards and ran for 49 yards
Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints passes the ball in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Nov. 22, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
By Ryan Ohalloran | rohalloran@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: November 25, 2020 at 4:31 p.m. | UPDATED: November 25, 2020 at 9:28 p.m.
Standing in the Broncos' way of taking another step toward .500 sustained four season-ending injuries at BYU, wasn't drafted three years ago, was cut after his first training camp and made his initial NFL impact in a Swiss Army Knife role for the New Orleans Saints.
What Taysom Hill lacks in starting quarterback experience he makes up for in athleticism, arm strength and play-making ability, and he has the Broncos' attention.
In his 47th career game, Hill made his first start at quarterback in Sunday's 24-9 win over Atlanta, replacing Drew Brees, who is on injured reserve with multiple broken ribs. Hill completed 18 of 23 passes for 233 yards and rushed 10 times for 49 yards and two touchdowns.
"He performed his duties as a quarterback," Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. "I don't think the Saints changed their offense at all because he was the quarterback."
And that was surprising to Fangio and just about everybody else who half-expected Saints coach Sean Payton to draw up a run-the-quarterback-scheme that is the opposite of what Brees has operated.
But no. A wise move by Payton was not exposing Hill to first-half hits on designated run plays. Eight of his 10 carries were in the second half when he used his 6-foot-2, 221-pound frame to pound away at Atlanta's defense.
"I turned on the tape looking to maybe see something different, but it was the Saints' offense they've been running since Sean has been there and they've evolved with the addition of his ability to (call) quarterback-designed runs," Fangio said.
Payton dialed up a comfort play to begin the game — roll right and an eight-yard pass to receiver Michael Thomas. But the Saints' offense started punt, field goal, missed field goal and punt to trail 9-3.
Late in the second quarter, Hill led a touchdown drive that had completions of 16 yards to Thomas and 45 yards to Emmanuel Sanders.
"Like any quarterback in his first start, there were some early-game jitters but I felt as the second quarter and second half took place, he did a really good job," Payton said in a conference call with the Denver media.
The Saints still presented a wide variety of personnel groupings (six) and wrinkles (jet motions, wildcat, sixth offensive lineman on the field, etc.). New Orleans used "11" personnel (three receivers) on 30 snaps and "12" (two receivers/two tight ends) on 21 snaps.
The Falcons' defense rushed five or more players on only 10 of Hill's drop-backs, choosing to use a three-man rush on seven drop-backs. Hill was sacked twice and forced to scramble once against the three-man pressure.
Hill's running game picked up in the second half with a quarterback power play. He gained 38 yards on six fourth-quarter carries.
"He can run and has a strong arm," Broncos safety Kareem Jackson said. "Preparing for a dual-threat quarterback is always the toughest because you can't really mimic that look in practice."
Hill getting a chance to start and perhaps be the future quarterback of the Saints is already a terrific story. Over five years at BYU, he sustained knee, leg, foot and elbow injuries, each that ended a season.
Undrafted, Hill spent the 2017 training camp with Green Bay and was claimed by the Saints on waivers. He was called up from the practice squad for the final month of the season and then Payton spent the 2018 offseason in a figurative lab creating ways to involve Hill.
In '18, Hill had 37 rushes, 14 kick returns, seven passes and three catches.
In '19, Hill had 27 rushes, 19 catches and six passes. He signed a two-year, $21 million contract as a restricted free agent.
Before taking over for Brees this year, Hill had 34 rushes, six catches and five passes and also played 68 special teams snaps.
"A versatile guy," Jackson said. "We have to be ready for it all."
Ryan Ohalloran | Broncos reporter
Ryan is the lead Denver Broncos beat reporter for The Denver Post. In Feb. 2019, he was named one of the 10 best beat reporters in the country by the Associated Press Sports Editors.
rohalloran@denverpost.com
More in Denver Broncos
Vikings GM Rick Spielman on George Paton: New Broncos executive "more than ready to run his own shop"
Who is George Paton? Everything to know about the Broncos' new general manager
Broncos conduct second interviews with two GM candidates
Noah Fant's 2020 fell short of his own expectations, but Broncos still believe he can grow into an elite tight end