The New Orleans Saints concluded their 2019 NFL preseason schedule at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome with a hard-fought loss to the visiting Miami Dolphins. Both teams played the final exhibition game last night with a majority of backup players comprised of rookies and young veterans attempting to earn a spot on their team’s final 53-man Roster.
Dolphins 3rd string back-up QB Jake Rudock completed 22 out of 29 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown, as he led Miami to a narrow 16-13 victory, but not before the 4th quarter comeback attempt led by Saints 3rd string QB Taysom Hill fell just short. New Orleans concluded its preseason with a break-even win-loss record of (2-2). The Dolphins finished at (3-1).
With the Dolphins opting to rest both of their top two QB’s (starter Ryan Fitzpatrick and back-up #2 QB Josh Rosen), Rudock got an opportunity to start and played the entire contest for the winning visitors. Rudock was further boosted by the combination of Dolphins RB’s Mark Walton and Myles Gaskin; who together combined for 100 total rushing yards on 20 carries to help them to victory.
On the Saints’ side of things offensively, back-up #2 QB Teddy Bridgewater got the start as they rested starting QB Drew Brees, and the 6th-year veteran passer went 9 of 13 for 83 yards, along with a 12-yard scoring toss to undrafted rookie WR Emmanuel Butler. However, most of Bridgewater’s passing yards came on a long 43-yard pass completion down the middle to rookie wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
Riiiiiiight down the middle 🎯
Lil'Jordan Humphrey via @teddyb_h2o | #MIAvsNO pic.twitter.com/I2BEs8vGaL
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 30, 2019
⚜️ Touchdown #Saints ⚜️ @teddyb_h2o finds the rookie Emmanuel Butler in the endzone for six! #MIAvsNo pic.twitter.com/GvT33k6Bs5
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 30, 2019
The Saints found themselves down at halftime by a score of 13-7, and once Hill entered the contest, his bid to rally the Black and Gold to a come-from-behind victory nearly succeeded, but ultimately ended up short of the mark.
That began once the Dolphins had extended their lead to 16-7 in the 3rd quarter, when Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders converted his third field goal of the game.
But then Hill and the Saints offense made things very interesting in the final period when they went on a methodical 13-play, 65-yard drive; which was capped off by a 1-yard rushing touchdown by veteran free agent and 4th string RB Jacquizz Rodgers.
By the way, it's Taysom time ⌚️
Hill marches down the field, and Jacquizz Rodgers punches it in.#TOUCHDOWNSaints ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/CLvDuqijH4
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 30, 2019
But New Orleans’ two-point conversion failed, which left the Black and Gold still trailing by a score of 16-13. However, Hill and the offense would get the ball back one last time, and nearly pulled out the win.
Hill finished last night’s contest by efficiently completing 13 out-of-17 passes for 100 yards, but unfortunately, he failed to convert a key 4th down-and-5 situation from the Dolphins 6-yard line in the game’s final minute.
Down by three points, Hill lined up in the shotgun formation and attempted to complete a pass down the middle of the field to undrafted 2nd year veteran and former LSU star Travin Dural, but Miami safety Maurice Smith was able to make a sensational game-saving PBU (pass breakup), which promptly ended the Saints’ comeback attempt.
Taysom Hill also spoke to media after the game. Here’s a clip of him talking about how he feels he’s developed since coming into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
Hill completed 13-17 passes for 100 yards tonight & also was the team’s leading rusher with 35 yards. pic.twitter.com/e6RJDHPMco
— SaintsNOW (@SaintsNOW) August 30, 2019
Despite the disappointing finish to end the preseason, a handful of young Saints players consisting mostly of undrafted rookies made their respective bids to secure a spot on the team — which will come this weekend when the Saints must cut down their team’s Final 53-man Roster for the upcoming 2019 NFL regular season to 53 players by no later than 4 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m. Central Time on Saturday, August 31st.
Once the cuts are made, the Saints will then turn their attention back towards their on-going preparations for the upcoming 2019 NFL Regular Season; which for them will begin (September 9th, when they will host the visiting Houston Texans on ESPN Monday Night Football.
Barry Hirstius is a semi-retired journalist, who has worked as a sports editor and columnist. Barry is a New Orleans native who grew up as a fan of the Saints while attending games as a young boy at the old Tulane Stadium. He is the proud Grandfather of two beautiful young girls, Jasmine and Serenity. Follow him on Twitter: @BarryHirstius
