After a long career with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, quarterback Ian Book was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Now, Book is scheduled to make his first career start on Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins. Before he takes the field, let’s take a look at what led him to this point, and whether or not he has a chance to lead the Saints to victory.
Ian Book’s journey to the NFL Draft
For Book, it started in El Dorado Hills, California. There, he boosted his image as a prolific high school passer, earning a three-star billing in the 2016 recruiting class. He had a host of offers from schools out west like Washington State, Boise State, Nevada, and Eastern Washington. He also fielded interest from Ivy League colleges Yale and Harvard.
Book initially committed to the Washington State Cougars — then coached by Mike Leach. But the three-star QB was drawn to the pedigree of Notre Dame football. After taking a visit to South Bend, he de-committed from Washington State and signed with the Fighting Irish.
‘I just gotta go out there and play’: New Orleans Saints rookie QB Ian Book ready for NFL debut
Ian Book knows this is a big deal, and he isn’t shying away from it.
The rookie is preparing to take his first NFL snap Monday night as the New Orleans Saints’ starting quarterback against the Miami Dolphins after veterans Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian both tested positive for COVID-19 in the middle of the week.
Book’s family will be in town. His former Notre Dame coach, Brian Kelly, will also make the trip from nearby Baton Rouge after recently being hired by LSU.
“It’s an unbelievable opportunity. … I’m gonna be pretty buzzed, yeah.” Book said. “I don’t know what it’s gonna feel like. I’ve played in big games, but I think this is the biggest, obviously. This is Monday Night Football. I grew up watching prime-time football since I was a little kid. It’s a dream.”
But just as quickly, Book insisted that neither he, nor the Saints (7-7), will let the moment overwhelm them.
As of Sunday night, the Saints have a total of 16 players from their 53-man roster on the reserve/COVID-19 list, in addition to three practice squad players, one suspended player and four assistant coaches sidelined by COVID-19. This is the latest in a season-long series of hurdles that have New Orleans’ playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.
Sean Payton: “Impossible” to evaluate play of Ian Book off Dolphins game
Getting the first start of your NFL career without 22 teammates available due to COVID-19 probably wasn’t the debut outing Ian Book envisioned when dreaming about his first professional start. However, that was the hand Book was dealt as he stepped in to start against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night.
Book was battered by the Dolphins, being sacked eight times and intercepted twice as Miami cruised to a 20-3 victory.
Saints head coach Sean Payton said it’s difficult to read too much into Book’s performance given the circumstances he stepped into against Miami.
“Look, in fairness to Ian, it’s impossible to evaluate his play,” Payton told reporters after the game. “Hopefully we can get a little healthier, get some guys back and be ready to go next week.”
Book completed 12-of-20 passes for 135 yards with two interceptions against the Dolphins. He faced an onslaught of pressure from Miami as the Saints started backups at three spots on the offensive line and had a tackle in Kyle Murphy, whom the team signed on Monday before the game, finish the contest at right tackle because of an injury to fill-in starter Caleb Benenoch.
Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian both went on the COVID-19 list last week, paving the way for Book to make the start.
“I think he prepared well,” Payton said. “I just think that it’s one of the challenges sometimes that can take place even in the later part of preseason games where, man, you want to try to evaluate — especially at the quarterback position — but, you know, just keeping him up right tonight was a challenge. And I’m sure there’s some plays that, you know, we’ll look at and he’ll look at. The first interception was a throw he’ll want back but it’s it’s a tough position for him to be in.
“He’s competitive and tough. He’s gonna be fine. He’ll be frustrated, like all of us, with some plays, but certainly it’s not gonna define his growth or his career or what he does. It was kind of one of those perfect storms that, and it’s a tough spot, we’re all anxious to see him, and yet, it was just a tough spot for him to be in. And I think he’s smart enough to understand that.”
Saints QB depth chart: Ian Book expected to start vs. Dolphins with Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian on COVID list
The Saints have already started three different quarterbacks this season. Rookie Ian Book will likely make it four on “Monday Night Football” against the Dolphins.
In the lead-up to New Orleans’ Week 16 clash with Miami, the Saints are dealing with a COVID outbreak in the quarterback room. Backup quarterback Trevor Siemian landed on the COVID list and shortly thereafter, current starter Taysom Hill ended up there as well.
As such, the Saints are going to have to roll with Book unless either Siemian or Hill can clear the NFL’s COVID testing protocols before Monday night’s game.
Luckily, the Saints are one of the few teams in the NFL that actually has a quality fourth quarterback option. They carried four quarterbacks for most of the season before Jameis Winston suffered a season-ending ACL tear. Since then, they have carried three.
Here’s a look at the Saints’ QB depth chart for Week 16, which is looking thin and unproven.
Saints’ Ian Book: Miserable NFL debut
Book completed 12 of 20 passes for 135 yards with two interceptions while rushing three times for six yards during Monday’s 20-3 loss to Miami.
Getting the start at quarterback in his NFL debut, Book struggled mightily behind a banged-up offensive line. Not only did the rookie throw a pick-six on his second pass attempt, but he ultimately took eight sacks, went 0-for-12 on third-down conversions, and accumulated nearly half of his passing yards during the final drive of overtime. He also was hardly a threat as a runner despite showing above-average mobility in his previous four years at Notre Dame. If Taysom Hill (COVID-19) or Trevor Siemian (COVID-19) can gain medical clearance in the coming days, Book should go right back to riding the bench.
NFL World Reacts To Ian Book’s First Career Drive
It’s way to early to write Book off as an NFL quarterback. That being said, it’s tough to envision him having a lot of success tonight.
Not only are the Saints missing several assistant coaches due to a COVID-19 outbreak, their starting offensive tackles are inactive.
We’ll see if Book can bounce back from his rough start.
Saints vs. Dolphins score: Miami’s defense throttles Ian Book during NFL debut; Jaylen Waddle dominates
The first chapter of Ian Book’s NFL story has been written and it ends with a loss. The Miami Dolphins were able to keep their playoff hopes alive as they extended their winning streak to seven games after taking down the Saints and their rookie quarterback on the road 20-3.
This game was in-hand for Miami pretty early as they were able to pick off Book — who was starting in his first ever NFL game due to Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian both landing on the COVID list — on just his second pass attempt of the night and return it 28 yards for the touchdown. That occurred on New Orleans’ opening offensive possession of the evening and found themselves playing from behind ever since. Meanwhile, Miami would continue to tack on to its lead, particularly in the third quarter when they went on an 86-yard touchdown drive that really put away any sort of shot the Saints would have of getting back into this contest.
The Dolphins’ defense made life extremely difficult for Book out of the gate by disguising pressure and mixing up coverage by dropping multiple defenders and simply rushing three. When they did go after him, they did so with tremendous success, totaling eight sacks for 54 yards. The 2021 fourth round pick finished completing 12 of his 20 passes for 135 yards and two picks.
As for the Dolphins, Jaylen Waddle continues to be the X factor for the offense. Miami was lining him up all around the field and he saw plenty of work, catching 10 of his 12 targets for 92 yards and a touchdown. Waddle also now only trails Anquan Boldin for the most receptions by a rookie in NFL history, passing Saints star Michael Thomas on Monday night. Meanwhile, Tua Tagovailoa went 19 of 26 passing for 198 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
For more on how this game unfolded, read our takeaways below.
Ian Book extends embarrassing streak for Notre Dame QBs in NFL
From Joe Montana to Joe Theismann, Notre Dame has a proud history when it comes to producing successful NFL quarterbacks. Unfortunately for them, that run has not continued over the last 10 years.
The Fighting Irish have put quarterbacks in the NFL, but many of them have not been successful. And on Monday night, Ian Book extended an embarrassing streak for the Irish.
When Book started and lost his first career NFL start on Monday night, that made former Notre Dame quarterbacks 0-24 in their last 24 NFL starts.
The streak included four losses apiece from Jimmy Clausen and Brady Quinn. Then DeShone Kizer’s 15-straight losses made things really ugly.
It’s somewhat unfair to Book to include him in this list. He was a fourth-round pick and the Saints’ No. 4 quarterback. He was also playing with half a roster. But the stat is a reminder of just how long it’s been since Notre Dame produced an NFL QB. Even Rick Mirer had 24 career wins.
Photo: Aug 23, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book (16) walks to the locker room after the game against Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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