IRVINE, Calif. — All post-practice talk turned to "Mr. Swiss Army Knife" Taysom Hill on Saturday, Day 4 of the 2024 New Orleans Saints training camp at UC-Irvine in California.
The ultra-versatile veteran, who Saints quarterback Derek Carr recently referred to as "the best football player" he's ever played with during an interview with the Pardon My Take podcast, once again was fielded with questions on just what his role would be at the start of his eighth season in New Orleans.
After all, Hill has played nearly every position on offense except for the O-line, as well as a few on special teams, including returner.
“He can do everything,” Carr said on the podcast. “Throws, runs, catches, fullback, quarterback, tight end, receiver in the slot, blocks punts, personal protector. Just because of how stats work, I don’t know how the stats work, but that man is a Hall of Fame football player.”
Lofty praise from Carr. While Hill's bust may not reside in Canton, a display inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame features his jersey, wristband and shoes worn by the former BYU quarterback for making NFL history on Nov. 5 when he became one of just two players in the league – first in 66 years – to score at least 10 receiving touchdowns along with 10 passing touchdowns and 25 rushing TDs during his career.
With the Saints replacing longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael with Klint Kubiak in the offseason, Hill was hit with questions regarding his role and whether or not fans can expect changes.
"I think it's still being figured out," Hill told media. "First year with a new staff and we haven't had a game week, so I think so much of camp for me is you're trying to install your base plays. That becomes a little bit challenging for a guy like me and I think Klint and the staff have done a really good job of incorporating me doing different things. So, yes I do feel I have a good idea, but I think they're still figuring out what that's going to look like come Week 1."
While Hill has taken the majority of his practice reps at fullback and will be almost certainly used in the slot and at tight end as in the previous two seasons, as well as behind center in the Wildcat formation, Hill has not been seen taking any reps with the quarterback room consisting of Carr and backups Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler and No. 10. However, he did assure the media that he is still throwing the ball to be ready when called upon during the season.
"I'll throw a ball every day at some point, just to make sure I still can," admitted Hill. "I think it's one of those things that, I still feel really comfortable and confident doing that. It's trying to spend time on things that I haven't had a ton of time on task doing. I try to do my best at getting exposure to all those things, so [throwing] is something, I'll never let – slip."
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Whatever Hill is called to do, including quarterback, Saints head coach Dennis Allen is confident he will be ready.
"He's been awesome," said Coach Allen. "He's handled everything we've thrown at him, and we've thrown a lot at him. He's playing a lot of different positions, a lot of different areas, motions, shifts, alignments, positions, but he's handled it like a true pro.
"Look, there's a lot of guys who have an athletic skillset, but you can't throw that much on them because they can't handle it mentally," he continued. "This is a guy that can handle a ton mentally and it's been fun for me to see a fresh vision for how we can utilize this player it's not just as the Wildcat quarterback. There's a lot of other things this guy can do both in the running game and the passing game. He's gonna do a lot of stuff."
By the Numbers:
Taysom Hill's pro career stats after seven seasons via NFL.com
Passing: 191 of 298 (64.1 pct.), 2,398 yards, 11 touchdowns, 8 interceptions
Rushing: 398 carries, 2,159 yards, 5.4 avg., 27 touchdowns
Receiving: 76 receptions, 756 yards, 9.9 avg., 11 touchdowns
Kick returns: 19 returns, 447 yards, 23.5 avg.
Punt returns: 1 return, 0 yards
Defense: 12 tackles (all solo)
Dennis Allen, Head Coach
Coach Allen on the versatility and utilization of Saints weapon Taysom Hill
Taysom Hill, Quarterback/Tight End/Fullback
Saints' "Swiss Army Knife" on role under new offensive coordinator playbook
Erik McCoy, Center
2023 Pro Bowler on importance of having fun on the O-line in terms of success
Khalen Saunders, Defensive Tackle
Saunders talks about facing McCoy in practice, importance of putting on the pads
JT Gray, Linebacker/Special Teams Specialist
Saints special teams standout JT Gray on why they call him 'Kingpin'
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