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08/22 19:47 CDT Stetson Bennett looks sharp, Saints' backup QBs don't separate
in Rams' 34-0 preseason win
Stetson Bennett looks sharp, Saints' backup QBs don't separate in Rams' 34-0
preseason win
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) --- Stetson Bennett cleared up the Los Angeles Rams'
backup quarterback situation a bit with another solid outing Saturday.
The Saints' competition for the same job is still murky after Zach Wilson and
Spencer Rattler couldn't stop New Orleans from getting blanked in the preseason.
Bennett passed for 181 yards and rushed for two TDs while leading the Rams to a
20-point halftime lead, and Alex Cook returned an interception 100 yards for a
score as Los Angeles cruised to a 34-0 victory over the Saints.
Bennett is the Rams' presumptive backup to NFL MVP Matthew Stafford this season
despite never playing in a regular-season game, but the former University of
Georgia star turned in another in his history of strong preseason performances
during his four seasons on the LA roster. He's doing his best to assuage any
concerns about entering the season as the top option behind the Rams'
38-year-old leader.
"I think (Bennett) is just getting better and better, and part of it is just
the overall command," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "I thought he made some
really good decisions, he got through some progressions, and then I loved that
he used his legs."
Indeed, Bennett dived to the pylon for the Rams' first touchdown, and he scored
again on an alert scramble in the second quarter. He went 19 of 31 and led four
substantial scoring drives while playing the entire first half for the Rams
(2-0).
"We did good things on offense," Bennett said. "I feel more comfortable out
there than in years prior. ... They're constantly reminding me, especially in
practice in the red zone, that if (a throw) is not there, then take off and
run. I had that in my mind on the two scores. It was fun."
Ty Simpson finally got on the field for LA midway through the third quarter and
went 8 of 12 for 73 yards, although he didn't get the same chance to perform as
he did while looking sharp last week in Kansas City.
The Saints didn't play their presumptive starters for the second straight
preseason game after spending the past week training on the West Coast with two
joint practices, while the Rams continued McVay's decade-long tradition of
resting every key player possible for the entire preseason.
Saints QBs didn't excel The Saints (0-2) continued their quarterback competition with Wilson and Rattler playing one half apiece at SoFi Stadium, but neither prospective backup to Tyler Shough stood out. Wilson started and went 6 of 12 for 55 yards, throwing an interception to AZ Hamilton. "It was ugly, but I think a good opportunity to see how guys respond," Wilson said. "I was fine, especially for a preseason game. ... I thought I got better in certain aspects (over the past week), and thought my understanding of this offense and what we're trying to do has grown." Rattler, who started 14 games over the past two seasons, moved the offense better than Wilson while facing the bottom of the Rams' defensive depth chart in the second half --- but his offense also made two goal-line turnovers. Rattler led a long drive out of halftime before his goal-line throw to Treyton Welch was picked and taken all the way back by Cook, a safety who hasn't played in the NFL since 2023. Rattler led the Saints deep into Rams territory again, but impressive undrafted Rams rookie linebacker Wesley Bailey forced a fumble by Ty Chandler. "I felt good out there, other than one play," Rattler said. "Obviously, we didn't score any points, so you've got to be better in that area." The Saints even attempted a 39-yard field goal in the final minute to avoid the shutout, but Tanner Brown missed. "I feel really good about both those guys," Saints coach Kellen Moore said of his backup quarterbacks. "I thought they've had really good camps overall."
An Alvin Kamara sighting Saints running back Alvin Kamara went through a pregame workout, including some sprints. The veteran could be out for a month after spraining his knee Tuesday. "We'll just let this thing take its course over the next few weeks, and we'll see where we're at," Moore said. "But Alvin certainly is going to do everything he can do to be ready as much as he can."
Up next The Saints finish their preseason Friday with a visit to the Cowboys less than two weeks after their brawl-filled joint practice that led to $500,000 fines for each team. The Rams stay at SoFi as the road team against the Chargers on Thursday. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
Saints QBs didn't excel The Saints (0-2) continued their quarterback competition with Wilson and Rattler playing one half apiece at SoFi Stadium, but neither prospective backup to Tyler Shough stood out. Wilson started and went 6 of 12 for 55 yards, throwing an interception to AZ Hamilton. "It was ugly, but I think a good opportunity to see how guys respond," Wilson said. "I was fine, especially for a preseason game. ... I thought I got better in certain aspects (over the past week), and thought my understanding of this offense and what we're trying to do has grown." Rattler, who started 14 games over the past two seasons, moved the offense better than Wilson while facing the bottom of the Rams' defensive depth chart in the second half --- but his offense also made two goal-line turnovers. Rattler led a long drive out of halftime before his goal-line throw to Treyton Welch was picked and taken all the way back by Cook, a safety who hasn't played in the NFL since 2023. Rattler led the Saints deep into Rams territory again, but impressive undrafted Rams rookie linebacker Wesley Bailey forced a fumble by Ty Chandler. "I felt good out there, other than one play," Rattler said. "Obviously, we didn't score any points, so you've got to be better in that area." The Saints even attempted a 39-yard field goal in the final minute to avoid the shutout, but Tanner Brown missed. "I feel really good about both those guys," Saints coach Kellen Moore said of his backup quarterbacks. "I thought they've had really good camps overall."
An Alvin Kamara sighting Saints running back Alvin Kamara went through a pregame workout, including some sprints. The veteran could be out for a month after spraining his knee Tuesday. "We'll just let this thing take its course over the next few weeks, and we'll see where we're at," Moore said. "But Alvin certainly is going to do everything he can do to be ready as much as he can."
Up next The Saints finish their preseason Friday with a visit to the Cowboys less than two weeks after their brawl-filled joint practice that led to $500,000 fines for each team. The Rams stay at SoFi as the road team against the Chargers on Thursday. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
