Taysom Hill (New Orleans Saints, QB/RB/WR/ST)
Taysom Hill (32) is quarterback. Finally in theory. Because in New Orleans, it was used everywhere: race, reception, special team. So much so that it has been nicknamed the “Swiss Army Knife”. But there has always been originality in his career. Hill started playing in college at age 22, which is when you normally graduate. Before, he was a missionary in Australia within a Christian church.
Taysom Hill then joined New Orleans in 2017. Three years later, he had to replace Drew Brees, the legendary QB, injured. He acquitted himself rather well of this mission, but, the following season, Brees retired, he missed the starting place. New Orleans, however, saw its QB’s injured one after the other. Taysom Hill was therefore again called up and again did well. But the Saints have not changed their minds: Jameis Winston is the holder this year and veteran Andy Dalton has also been recruited.
Whatever. Last Sunday, it was Hill who won New Orleans against Seattle (39-32), scoring three TD’s by running and passing a fourth. Such a stat, only two other players had realized before him. To be confirmed on Sunday against Cincinnati.
Skylar Thompson discovered the NFL last weekend. (R. Deutsch/USA Today Sports/Reuters)
Skylar Thompson (Miami Dolphins, QB)
In one week, Miami lost its two QB’s, Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater, both concussed. Last Sunday, against the NY Jets, it was therefore necessary to entrust the reins of the attack to the young Skylar Thompson (25 years old), who discovered the NFL, at the same time.
If he could not avoid defeat (40-17), he nevertheless got off honorably (19 passes completed on 33, 166 yards, one interception). Thompson was drafted in the seventh round last April. The NFL forecasts did not however announce it among the players who would be selected. And it was certain that he had very little chance of playing this season.
But Skylar Thompson still showed what he could do: during the preseason, he finished No. 1 in the “ratting pass”, the ranking of QB’s. Tagovailoa has resumed training but will not play on Sunday, and Bridgewater is recovering. Thompson will lead the team again against Minnesota.
Cooper Rush made Dak Prescott forget in Dallas. (B. Penner/USA Today Sports/Reuters)
Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys, QB)
On September 11, the first day of the NFL, the season was already over for many Dallas fans. Dak Prescott, the star QB, had just injured his thumb. And, to replace him, there was only Cooper Rush (28), pro for five seasons, with especially, to his credit, a few ends of matches played.
Except that the person concerned has indeed carried his name. With him, the Cowboys have chained four victories, notably against the LA Rams and Cincinnati, finalists of the last Super Bowl. Rush also lined up good stats and was not intercepted by opposing defenses.
Undrafted, he had found a place in Dallas in 2017. By dint of playing little, he had been released from his contract three years later and had not found a team. But the Cowboys re-signed him last year. And Rush had the opportunity to show his talent, replacing Prescott once. Result: 325 yards thrown, victory and arguments to stay in Texas.
Cooper Rush won the first five games he started with Dallas. A perf’ that the most legendary QB’s of the Cowboys (Meredith, Staubach, Aikman) had failed to do. He will still start Sunday against Philadelphia.
