Sean Payton not clear on Brees’ return, pleased with Taysom Hill

Saints head coach Sean Payton addressed the media Monday morning and the big question was whether or not Drew Brees has a chance of returning to play at Philadelphia this week or when he may return from 11 cracked ribs and a collapsed lung which has kept him out of the last three games.

“I’ve not seen anything,” Payton said. “I think that he’s working. I know he’s spending a lot of time in the training room so I think it would be early, I honestly wouldn’t be able to give you a time frame. We’ll kind of see when that is.”

The other big question is after watching the game video, how did Payton feel about the progress Taysom Hill has made?

“I think you’ve got to eliminate last week, in fairness to the process and look at the first game vs. Atlanta to the game yesterday, which was his third game,” Payton said. “The thing that I was impressed with is third down and our conversion percentage.

I did feel watching, just during the game even, that decisiveness, where to go with the football. There’s some heat on it. Our receivers, tight ends and everyone’s getting adjusted to the way it’s coming out. I was pleased with that.”

Does Payton see Hill’s leadership skills, in the huddle and on the field improving?

“Part of that is on the other 10,” Payton said. “You get used to one thing for so long and Drew is kind of there to handle all, everyone’s problems and everyone’s issues and everyone’s intricacies and look the O-line, the running backs, the tight ends, the receivers, everyone has to focus on their specific job and I think that’s something that just comes with time and experience.”

Payton expressed his appreciation for how Michael Thomas is playing, regardless of who is at quarterback for the Saints.

“First off, I’m proud of him,” Payton said. “I know it’s been a grind working back and still trying to get to 100 percent. Obviously, the injury he had was significant. He’s come up with some big plays here. For a quarterback to have that target and someone who’s going to come down the ball and make plays, that’s a big deal so he’s doing well.”

How is it that Thomas has not missed a beat with Taysom Hill at quarterback as opposed to Drew Brees?

“It starts with being a great receiver,” Payton said. “He was able to separate, he gives you great target radius, an area to throw to. That suits, I think, anybody who’s passing the ball to him. The key each week is to find different route concepts to give him those opportunities and to continue to find more of those in the red zone.”

The Saints had Sheldon Rankins back for the first time since he suffered an MCL sprain in his knee in a win at Chicago on Nov. 1. How did Rankins look to Payton?

“I thought well, it was good to have him back out there,” Payton said. “It was a minute since he played last so it was going to be a little different. He’s bee a little sore today. There’s a lot that comes with him and his ability to not only play the run but to rush the passer. He’s got, I would say, a lot of good leadership qualities as well.”

New Orleans again ran the football extremely well, to the tune of 207 yards on 36 carries for an average of 5.8 yards per rush. That includes runs of 37 yards by Alvin Kamara and 43 yards by Taysom Hill.

“We had two big explosives (plays),” Payton said. “Obviously, Alvin’s run, Taysom’s run. Then, there were a lot of positive plays, the touchdown to Alvin. (There’s) a handful of things we can do a better job with from a consistency standpoint. In yesterday’s game, it was about some of the big runs.”

Did the coaches and players talk about clinching a fourth straight playoff berth after the game?

“No, I don’t think so,” Payton said. “We found about it afterwards but I don’t know that it was something we were waiting to hear on or anything like that. I guess it had something to do with another NFC team losing (Chicago). I think the focus in this league is to win your division. The next focus is to put yourself in the best position playoff-wise. Those are the things we’re focused on.”

With Jalen Hurts replacing Carson Wentz in the middle of Philadelphia’s loss at Green Bay Sunday, how difficult will it be for the Saints to prepare for the Eagles not knowing who will start at quarterback?

“I think you prepare first for the offense and then you recognize the nuances when you have a quarterback who’s in the game that has a little bit more mobility and they see that with Taysom sometimes, but I think you’ve got to prepare for the offense that you’re playing and then, more specifically, the skill-set of who’s in there.”

Payton does not feel that Hurts is the only quarterback the Eagles have that can hurt you with his legs.

“Carson is a guy, when he’s in there, that moves well and can run,” Payton said. “In either case, you’re going to be playing a quarterback who’s a real good athlete.”