Sean Payton: "I thought defensively they played with real good energy."
 

Post-Practice Media Availability

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Opening Statement: “Tight end Richard Quinn was moved to reserve/retired and we signed tight end Travis Beckum to keep our numbers at the same roster count (maximum of 90)

Have you made any decision on Drew Brees for Friday night?

“Not yet.”

Were you happy with the passion of today’s goal line drill?

“It was another period that was live and it’s kind of hard to walk thru goal line. It’s a segment that gets maybe 10 to 15 snaps a year. Our normal installation’s normally about that second or third week (of training camp) that we put it in. We did get a number of good looks. We’ll look at the tape and may have an opportunity to have one more of those drills. Overall it was pretty good.”

What did you think about that period?

“It was good. I liked the intensity. I thought it was very good. You get a chance when you see the tape to look at the specifics, but I thought it was competitive, obviously there was some disagreement in regards to the one play. That’s pretty significant. I think we have to look at the film. Overall, I was pleased with the tempo and the way the guys handled it.”

Only one clearly got in the end zone. Do you consider that a defensive win today?

“We had two segments battling, so you had the first segment battling and you had the second segment battling. The second segment was crystal clear. The first segment, it all gets back to that one play where typically you start a series in goal line inside the three. We’ll look at the film. I thought defensively they played with real good energy.”

Are you interested to learn what Ryan Griffin would do as a starter and if he could handle that situation if there were an injury that would make Drew Brees unavailable for a regular season game at some point?

“One of the challenges you have with the quarterbacks is getting them reps in games because like a lot of positions, there’s just one player, but both Ryan and Luke (McCown) have had a lot of work with the ones this past week and a half and so I think that’s helpful. Most importantly, when you are evaluating the quarterback in a preseason game, you want to make sure he’s getting protection. Sometimes in the second half, there might be a breakdown in protection and then it really blurs the evaluation of the player because he wasn’t able to set his feet. So, who’s around him, no different than in our starting lineup, is important.”

Is it good to have that backup receive the experience in a starting role?

“Obviously yes. That’s why we’ve been rotating them out here at practice. Now whether he (Griffin) receives work with the ones in this game is to be determined.”


Read more: Sean Payton: "I thought defensively they played with real good energy."

Re: Sean Payton: "I thought defensively they played with real good energy."
 

Any doubt which side of the ball he associates himself with?

Re: Sean Payton: "I thought defensively they played with real good energy."
 

So we're energetic. It beats the hell out of lethargic.