QBREES9

Another Gem in the 7th round for the Saints?

Kristian Garic / Kristian@wwl.com Reporting
The Saints are not in need of a franchise quarterback anytime soon, after all, they have one of the best in the business, Drew Brees. That, however, won't stop Coach Sean Payton from looking for the next one.

"It's a tough position to evaluate, because so much responsibility falls on that position," says WWL's Bobby Hebert. The Saints grabbed a young quarterback in the 7th round of last month's NFL Draft...Oregon State's Sean Canfield. The Southpaw knows the odds are stacked against him to make the final roster, but he isn't going to shy away from competition. "I've dealt with competition before in college. You learn a lot through competition. I'm excited to get here for OTA's and training camp and find my niche on this team and make it better," Canfield told me.

Given the Saints success in unearthing talent in the 7th round, Canfield has a better than average shot with the World Champs. Every 7th round pick the Saints have pulled the trigger on under Coach Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis has made the team. "If you look at Marques Colston, Zack Streif, Marvin Mitchell and Adrian Arrington, you like your chances if you're Canfield," explained WWL's Cajun Cannon. "The organization has a tremendous ability to find those guys that can play...in the 7th round. It's really almost unheard of to have that much success in the last round," continued Hebert. "Typically 7th round picks have about a 50/50 shot, but not under the Saints. They're batting a thousand."

Sean Canfield is blessed with the opportunity to study under Quarterback Drew Brees and offensive mastermind Sean Payton. Canfield had a short conversation with the unquestioned leader and Super Bowl MVP in the team's weight room recently.

What did Drew tell the young rookie?

"Just go out and sling it. Good luck. And, have fun doing it," Canfield said with a boyish smile on his face. After taking in his first practice as a pro last weekend at Rookie Minicamp, Canfield noticed right away the speed is the most noticeable difference from college.

Listen to Canfield:
Listen:

"Trying to pick up everything; get it down and then show it on the field has been the biggest challenge," Coach Sean Payton said of his rookie QB. "He's handled it well."

The former Oregon State Beaver played under Mike Riley in college. Riley coached for several years in the NFL, including a stint as the San Diego Chargers' Head Coach and a stop here in New Orleans. Canfield played in a "pro style" system in college, something he feels is an advantage. "I was one of the few guys coming out this year...as opposed to other quarterbacks... who were running the spread, said Canfield. "I progressed in a pro style offense. It's the same offense he ran with the Chargers."

Here's a brief look at Canfield's college career at Oregon State. After being redshirted as a freshman in 2005, Canfield played in eight games as a backup quarterback in 2006, completing 28 of 45 passes for 355 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. As a sophomore in 2007 Canfield started the first nine games for the Beavers, before suffering an injury against the USC Trojans. He finished the season completing 165 of 286 passes for 1,661 yards, nine touchdowns and 15 interceptions. As a junior in 2008, Canfield missed most of the team's practice in August and the first few weeks of the season, while rehabilitating from a left shoulder injury he suffered the previous season. Sean Canfield started only two games. He finished the season completing 56 of 84 attempts for 703 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions.

Sean Canfield finished his senior season in 2009 completing 303 of 446 pass attempts for 3,271 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, as the Beavers ended the season with an 8-5 record. With the team's recent track record of success in the 7th round of the NFL Draft, only time will tell if the scouting department hit another home run. The good thing for Canfield is he can take his time and learn from one of the league's best. The bad thing--he's behind one of the league's best...it's a double edged sword.

Kristian: Another Gem In The 7th Round For The Saints? - WWL - AM870 | FM105.3 | News | Talk | Sports

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SaintPauly

This kid's got the size, and arm strength, that's for sure. Never really watched him play in college. Although, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he play in the game, where they beat USC, and pretty much started the death nail to be hammered in Carroll's coffin?

Rugby Saint II

I've never seen him throw a ball, but all reports have been positive. That could be quite a stretch for a 7th round QB to be successful in the NFL. Then again if you sit behind a good player for a few years and have good coaches you can succeed. Just look at Matt Cassell in NE. He doesn't have anything close to the O line now that he had and he's struggling. btw Why was Brady drafted so late? Was he another under the radar guys? I forget.

QBREES9

Well see, we have great luck at that pick