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Saints sound like Brooks has played his last game for them

December 15, 2005
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Reality struck the New Orleans Saints once they saw Todd Bouman, not Aaron Brooks, taking snaps with the first-team offense.

Not only is it likely Brooks won't start at quarterback again this season, he very well might not be with the team next year, either.

"Aaron is my friend, I love him to death, so I wish him the best," receiver Joe Horn said. "You never know, it may work out that he may still be here. But, realistically, when your starting quarterback gets benched for the season we have had ..."

Horn didn't finish his thought before switching to another topic, but five minutes earlier Brooks told Horn the same thing he told reporters after practice.

"I doubt very seriously I will be a New Orleans Saint again, so I can look forward to moving on," Brooks said.

Coach Jim Haslett said Wednesday that Brooks was demoted for on-field play, not for voicing his displeasure with team owner Tom Benson after players have been shuffled among multiple practice sites this year. The Saints were displaced by Hurricane Katrina in September.

Haslett did not rule out Brooks' return next year.

But his benching, and the limited long-term possibilities the 33-year-old Bouman presents, could put the Saints in the offseason market for a quarterback. If they draft high enough, the Saints (3-10) might have a shot at Southern California's Matt Leinart.

Brooks has two years and more than $12 million remaining on his contract. He has thrown 17 interceptions and 13 touchdowns this year, marking the first time in his career he's endured a season with more interceptions than TD passes. His quarterback rating is a career-worst 70.0.

Haslett cautioned against reading too much into the Brooks decision.

"I don't think it affects him long term one way or another," Haslett said. "Obviously, you would disagree with me from the outside looking in. You would think there's some sort of factor there. There really isn't."

Haslett also is not convinced that Bouman, who has started three games in nine NFL seasons, is the answer for the team as the No. 2 quarterback. He will start Sunday against Carolina (9-4) in Baton Rouge, La.

"This is an opportunity to see if Todd can handle the job long-term as a No. 1 or even as a No. 2," Haslett said. "He hasn't played a lot since he's been here."

He played in the second half of the Saints' 52-3 loss to Green Bay in Week 5, completing 5 of 13 passes. An interception was returned for a touchdown.

Bouman, who is four years older than Brooks, had his best game with Minnesota in 2001 when he threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns filling in for Daunte Culpepper against Tennessee. He completed 21 of 31 passes.

The Saints also have Adrian McPherson, their fifth-round selection this year, on the active roster. McPherson started four games at Florida State and was rookie of the year in the Arena Football League last year.

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