What Saints had to say after Falcons win: On Taysom Hill’s ‘fastball’, Brees’ role, more

Michael Thomas had simply completed off his greatest recreation of the season with 9 catches within the Saints’ win over the Falcons, nevertheless it was a ball he did not catch that he was fast to elaborate on.

The Saints’ star receiver was requested a query a couple of play later within the recreation, however he backtracked to the uncharacteristic, “horrible drop” from the primary half that was nonetheless on his thoughts.

Thomas was standing by himself as Taysom Hill fired a ball to him throughout the center of the sphere. However as an alternative of a giant achieve to proceed a promising drive, the ball squirted via Thomas’ usually dependable palms.

“I used to be just a little disenchanted in myself on that drop,” Thomas stated. You realize, Taysom has a fastball.”

This is Michael Thomas on that drop … and Taysom’s fastball: “The adjustment was my palms. Catch the ball.” https://t.co/UPvnSlfwL9 pic.twitter.com/d7zUZBzJbZ

— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) November 22, 2020

The Saints would punt on that drive, however the offense would proceed to strike and stroll away with a 24-9 victory because the protection locked the Falcons down on the alternative finish. Thomas completed with 9 catches for 104 yards on 12 targets from Hill, beginning at quarterback for the primary time rather than an injured Drew Brees.

“That was an important ball. All of his passes at this time have been nice — on level. I might‘ve caught all of them, that was 100% on me,” Thomas stated. “However we executed, moved on, and I felt like I acquired higher all through the sport.”

The Saints’ future hall-of-famer could not be on the sphere to take snaps in Week 11, however he nonetheless impacted the sport.

Simply ask Taysom Hill, who leaned on Drew Brees within the week main as much as the primary profession begin at quarterback for the Saints backup.

“Man, Drew is the very best,” Hill stated. “If I am being sincere, I did not totally perceive what it took to be a starter within the NFL till I acquired right here, and I had the chance to be taught from Drew. And Drew was with me each step of the best way this week.”

This is Taysom Hill speaking about his relationship with Drew Brees, and the way the longtime #Saints quarterback helped him put together for his first QB begin this week: “I look as much as him a lot. He is grow to be one in every of my greatest mates. He was superior.” pic.twitter.com/xB5xmKZtlu

— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) November 22, 2020

Hill described Brees as a “consolation to have round,” and Hill definitely appeared snug on the sphere as he accomplished 18 of 23 passes for 233 yards and ran 10 occasions for 51 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

“Man, he was so crucial,” Hill stated. “He was such a consolation for me to have round. I look as much as him a lot. He is one in every of my greatest mates.”

This is the clip from Alvin Kamara on a future wildcat throw…

“It could be comin’ …” #Saints https://t.co/dlDzIyR6IC pic.twitter.com/K2kWY8cUjA

— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) November 23, 2020

With Brees now on injured reserve following 11 damaged ribs and a collapsed lung suffered on hits throughout Weeks 9 and 10, he cannot return till Week 14 on the earliest. However with a 6-Zero file behind backup quarterbacks over the previous two seasons, there’s purpose for confidence as Brees, Hill and the Saints look to their highway matchup with the Broncos in Week 12.

Alvin Kamara wasn’t apprehensive about going with no catch in a recreation for the primary time in his NFL profession, however he could be on the point of throw one himself one in every of these weeks.

Kamara lined up and took direct snaps a pair occasions in opposition to the Falcons. Each of these performs have been runs, however he joked about how he was warming up his arm within the locker room simply to ensure he was prepared.

“It could be coming, you already know, I do not need to give away — I do not need to present my hand an excessive amount of,” Kamara stated. “I would‘ve been warming up within the locker room and throwing a pair passes. You realize, that is not lots of area, I used to be simply ensuring my arm was good.”

This is the clip from Alvin Kamara on a future wildcat throw…

“It could be comin’ …” #Saints https://t.co/dlDzIyR6IC pic.twitter.com/K2kWY8cUjA

— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) November 23, 2020

Then Kamara paused and appeared down earlier than finishing his thought and strolling off-camera: “I would throw one, I do not know.”

Kamara completed the sport with the bottom yardage output of his season to this point, with 13 carries for 45 yards — however he did work his method into the endzone for one of many Saints’ three touchdowns within the recreation.