saintswhodi

Leinart's perspective of Saints unchanged
Agent says QB expects to learn from veteran"We all pretty much know you're not drafting a quarterback because you've got your guy right here. But obviously we're in a great situation with the No. 2 pick in the draft."
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
By Jimmy Smith
Staff writer
The Saints' signing of free-agent quarterback Drew Brees on Tuesday won't deter Matt Leinart from coming to New Orleans if the team uses its first-round draft choice to select the former Heisman Trophy winner, his agent said.

"From Matt's perspective, we have always assumed there would be a veteran starter with any franchise that drafted him," agent Leigh Steinberg said, "and (assumed) he would not be the immediate starter, wherever he would go, and spending some time learning has proven to be advantageous for a number of the best quarterbacks in football."

Brees, who agreed to a six-year contract worth a reported $60 million, with a $10 million signing bonus, is rehabilitating from offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum and partially torn rotator cuff in his right (throwing) shoulder.

Leinart is likely to be the first quarterback drafted in the April 29-30 college draft and had been expected to be strongly considered by the Saints, who have the No. 2 pick.

Steinberg said Tuesday he didn't think Brees' presence in New Orleans would be a problem as far as negotiating a contract with the Saints should the team decide to use its pick on Leinart.

It has been reported that Leinart could command a $22 million signing bonus.

"It's apples and oranges, and again, that's the Saints' business, but the rookie salary cap operates to allocate money for rookies, and the veterans' cap for veterans," Steinberg said.

"While they do have some relationship, those are choices for the Saints to make. Not our choices.

"Carson Palmer sat and learned. It was not the design to start Alex Smith from the beginning of his career. It was not the design to start Ben Roethlisberger. Or Eli Manning.

"Matt assumes there will be a quality starter with whatever franchise drafts him. And the ability to learn from a veteran and to assimilate the system and not be pressed into service from Day One has advantages to it."

When asked if Brees' signing closed the door on a New Orleans future for Leinart, Steinberg said "Not from out perspective."

Brees said Tuesday he received no assurances from the team that they would not draft Leinart.

"That wasn't part of the deal," Brees said, "but we all pretty much know you're not drafting a quarterback because you've got your guy right here. But obviously we're in a great situation with the No. 2 pick in the draft."

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BrooksMustGo

I wish I could go work for Steinberg when I leave law school.

The guy has been note perfect on representing Leinart from day one. He's simply an outstanding agent. He makes Leinart look like the safest, best character pick of the entire draft.