But before the second preseason game on Sunday against San Francisco at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Rattler wants to raise his level against the 49ers.
“I think I’m just continuing to make progress,” Rattler said Friday after the Saints’ final practice at Cal-Irvine. “A couple of times I got out of the pocket a little quicker than I wanted to, but I felt like we handled the situations well. I think we can score a little better on third down at a higher rate, so we’re just improving those little areas.”
Rattler has shown significant improvement since joining the Saints. For example, he was unable to demonstrate consistent timing and accuracy and has now gained a better understanding of where and when to pass the ball to his receivers.
And he showed a crucial adjustment in the game in the decisive drive against the Cardinals.
On first-and-10 from Arizona’s 37-yard line with 35 seconds left, Rattler missed receiver Samson Nacua on a deep shoulder throw down the right sideline. After Arizona committed a neutral zone violation on the second attempt, New Orleans went back to the same play and Rattler threw a 13-yard pass to Nacua to the 19-yard line.
