PHX Reporter

With QB1 Kyler Murray sitting out the preseason, two other quarterbacks are vying for the backup position.

Clayton Tune, who entered in the second half at quarterback for the Cardinals, appeared more comfortable than starter Desmond Ridder against the Saints. Tune threw a go-ahead touchdown to running back Tony Jones Jr. with 1:55 left in the game.

"I felt like I was seeing the defense and confident in the game plan," Tune said. "I felt like I was playing on time. Hindsight is always 20/20. Maybe you're short there (on the touchdown, which was reviewed) and run some more time off the clock. At the same time, you want to score."

Valley native Spencer Rattler, a rookie quarterback for the Saints, led New Orleans downfield for a game-winning 37-yard field goal from Blake Grupe with five seconds remaining. The Saints secured a 16-14 victory at State Farm Stadium in both teams' preseason opener.

Tune completed two 18-yard passes on his initial drive, culminating in an 11-yard Michael Carter touchdown run. He finished 15-of-24 for 163 yards with no turnovers.

"Good command, played fast," coach Jonathan Gannon said. "I thought he made some throws in there too. I thought he was aware of what was going on out there and making correct decisions."

Ridder ended up completing four of nine passes for 43 yards but rushed for 39 yards on five attempts. Gannon noted that the entire starting offense struggled. "As a whole we have to do better," he stated.

"We battled," Gannon added. "I liked our effort and enthusiasm. Hitting and violence were on display, I thought. The big thing for us right now is we've got to learn."

Cornerback Starling Thomas V nearly intercepted a pass in the first half and had an open field ahead had he held onto it.

Coach Jonathan Gannon opted to go for it late in the first half on fourth-and-2 at the Saints' 12-yard line while trailing 3-0. Wide receiver Andre Baccellia was open over the middle but Ridder's throw missed its mark. The Saints responded with a 58-yard pass to A.T Terry, setting up a field goal.

Wide receiver Dan Chisena made key plays during the Cardinals' final scoring drive, including a catch off his shoe tops for ten yards and later a 27-yard catch-and-run setting up Tune's touchdown pass.

The Cardinals were penalized twice for neutral-zone infractions during the Saints' final drive, granting ten free yards before Grupe's game-winning field goal.

Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who started but saw limited action due to play calls not favoring passing situations early on, received praise from Gannon despite not being targeted.

"We ended up being backed up there, so some different plays (were called), because I wanted to see him touch it there a little bit," Gannon explained.

Defensive lineman Darius Robinson played extensively as another first-round pick alongside Harrison Jr., recording a tackle on his first play and drawing a holding penalty.

Numerous Cardinals players sat out aside from Kyler Murray; none of their starting offensive line participated nor did key players such as Michael Wilson or James Conner among others.