saintz08

New Orleans

With RB Deuce McAllister out of the lineup with a high ankle sprain for the next few weeks, sources say this is the real litmus test for how long the Saints will stick with QB Aaron Brooks. Brooks has always been seen by the team as a ball of potential who just needed time to become a leader. But Brooks isn’t a kid anymore — he’s 28 — and the time to develop has passed. How Brooks is able to lead the team during McAllister’s absence could be a big factor in just how long the team is willing to be patient with him going forward. Brooks has always struggled when he tries to do too much, and the Saints believe it is time for Brooks to start to mature. He may have taken a step in the right direction last week, when he helped lead the Saints to a 28-25 overtime victory vs. the Rams. In the game, Brooks completed 24-of-41 passes for 316 yards with one touchdown and no picks.


[Edited on 29/9/2004 by saintz08]