Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden Calls Taysom Hill ‘A Great Football Player,’ Weapon For Saints

Sep 21, 2020, 11:20 AM | Updated: 12:11 pm

Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

BY KYLE IRELAND, KSL SPORTS

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden called Saints backup quarterback Taysom Hill “a great football player” and “a weapon” prior to his team’s game against New Orleans.

The Raiders are scheduled to host the Saints for Monday Night Football on September 21.

It will be the Raiders’ first game at Allegiant Stadium after relocating to Las Vegas from Oakland, California during the off-season.

Allegiant Stadium opener on Monday Night Football.

📺: #NOvsLV — Tonight 8:15pm ET on ESPN
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app pic.twitter.com/nLUeLD64GD

— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2020

During a recent press conference, Gruden praised the former BYU quarterback and the Saints’ plans to keep the Raiders “off his scent.”

“I don’t remember a quarterback that can throw and run read options, and then line up at tight end. This guy’s a weapon,” Gruden said. “He’s a special teams demon. He can be the personal protector on the punt team. He’s a great football player. You know a lot of guys call it, ‘He’s a football player.’ This guy’s a football player. He can play anywhere on the football field, and you got to be aware of number seven cause he can ruin the game. And they have a great package to keep us off his scent. You know, you just can’t prepare for him for anything. He’s a football player.”

You can just see how much Jon Gruden loves watching Taysom Hill play. Two football guys. pic.twitter.com/IW7IcMaMeV

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 19, 2020

Hill and the Saints are coming off a 34-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the organization’s season-opening game on September 13.

The former BYU quarterback finished the game with one completion for 38 yards, three carries for 13 yards, and one reception for 14 yards.

The double pass executed to perfection. #Saints

📺: #TBvsNO on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/5o8cWoN1yf pic.twitter.com/Oa85iIOVzR

— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2020

Las Vegas also 1-0 entering the Monday Night Football game after beating the Carolina Panthers 34-30 in week one.

The Saints and Raiders will kick-off on Monday, September 21 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on ESPN.

Taysom Hill’s Career

Prior his NFL career, Hill played quarterback at BYU from 2012-2016.

After his senior season, Hill went undrafted and signed with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers waived Hill before the start of his rookie season and he was picked up by the Saints.

Hill recently entered his fourth professional season with the Saints. During his time in New Orleans, he’s served as a backup quarterback to Drew Brees.

🚨 Taysom at quarterback 🚨

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 13, 2020

He is currently listed as the Saints’ No. 2 QB behind Brees.

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).