Taysom Hill: Training to Become the Saints Starting Quarterback in Idaho
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill is in Idaho training to become the New Orleans Saints full-time starter in 2021, per report.
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Meghan Payton, the WGNO reporter, had an exclusive interview with New Orleans quarterback Taysom Hill.
Hill has been relatively quiet and out of sight this offseason. Why?
Taysom decided to train in Idaho for the upcoming season. He also will face a quarterback competition in training camp against Jameis Winston.
Payton's report did not let us watch Hill's training regimen, but it did enlighten us on his focus. Also, insight on a lesson from Brees.
Balancing life as a new father and training exclusively to become the New Orleans Saints' starting quarterback would seem daunting.
MISSIONARY WORK LESSONS
Instead, the most challenging time for Taysom was his missionary work in Australia.
The "two hardest years I have experienced in my life," noted Hill.
Taysom served for two years as a missionary after completing his studies and collegiate football career at Brigham Young University. Hill's post was in Australia.
Taysom's only contact with his family in the U.S. was via one email per week. He had no privacy during his stint in Australia and was with another Mormon missionary each hour of every day.
I believe the ability to maintain focus in a highly structured environment is a foundation to help Taysom Hill deal with his next challenge - full-time NFL quarterback.
Credit: USA Today Sports
HILL AND BREES
Hill, 30, credits Drew Brees with his game preparation. Taysom watched as Brees would take the game installations and simulate the scenarios in his mind. "He [Brees] was playing through the entire game in his mind," said Hill. Taysom continued, "He was saying, "Okay, here's the call. What happens if we get this coverage. It's what happens if we get this coverage. How am I going to react?"
TRAINING TO BECOME A STARTER
New Orleans utilized Hill in various positions in his four seasons. Hill's offseason was mixed with training as a quarterback, running back, receiver, and blocker.
In 2021, Taysom mentioned, "this year had been totally focused on just playing quarterback."
Hill has a 3-1 winning record as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Taysom has passed for 1,047 yards in four seasons, four touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 93.7 passer rating.
Nonetheless, ball security was a concern as he fumbled ten times the 2020 season as a quarterback and rusher.
Hill is extremely physically gifted and well-respected by his teammates. The next challenge for Hill is to develop as a 17-game starting quarterback. The demands and rigors will be different from the years under Drew Brees.
Hill believes he ready.
We shall see.
