Saints begin offseason training with backup QB questions

QBREES9 · 05-25-2010, 11:58 AM

As organized team activities began on Monday, the New Orleans Saints were still searching for a capable quarterback to back up Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew Brees.

The Saints still have some time since training camp doesn't begin until late July and the first preseason game won't be played until Aug. 12, but veteran Mark Brunell remains an unrestricted agent for the time being.

That leaves coach Sean Payton with just second-year pro Chase Daniel and seventh-round draft pick Sean Canfield as the only quarterbacks to share the repetitions with Brees when OTAs begin. The two youngsters could also be forced to take on more work in a full-squad minicamp set for June 4-6.

If Brunell doesn't re-sign with the Saints soon, Payton, who for the past two years has been trying to develop a young quarterback, will likely get a good idea if either Daniel or Canfield has what it takes.

Daniel split the 2009 season between the Saints' practice squad and the active roster. He was the third-stringer for seven games and the backup for one when Brees was held out of the regular-season finale, then was the No. 3 quarterback for three postseason games. Canfield was the Saints' seventh-round draft pick out of Oregon State, last month.

In the first four years that Brees has been with the Saints, there has been little need for a backup — at least in the regular season. He started all 63 games until being held out of the 2009 finale to ensure his health for the playoffs. Brunell started that game, but became a UFA in March.

Because they don't have an open spot to sign another unrestricted free agent right now, the Saints may have to wait until July 22 to sign Patrick Ramsey or Josh McCown, whom they worked out in mid-April, unless Brunell signs elsewhere.

Until then, Payton's search for the next Tony Romo, whom he brought along when he was with the Dallas Cowboys, might be limited to Daniel and Canfield.

"I think a lot of people would say that it's one of the tougher positions to evaluate because you've seen that position get more attention," Payton said earlier this month. "It's probably one of the more difficult positions to play, with everything that's asked of it.

Saints begin offseason training with backup QB questions | thenewsstar.com | The News Star

05-25-2010, 11:58 AM	#1
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,982	Saints begin offseason training with backup QB questions As organized team activities began on Monday, the New Orleans Saints were still searching for a capable quarterback to back up Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew Brees. The Saints still have some time since training camp doesn't begin until late July and the first preseason game won't be played until Aug. 12, but veteran Mark Brunell remains an unrestricted agent for the time being. That leaves coach Sean Payton with just second-year pro Chase Daniel and seventh-round draft pick Sean Canfield as the only quarterbacks to share the repetitions with Brees when OTAs begin. The two youngsters could also be forced to take on more work in a full-squad minicamp set for June 4-6. If Brunell doesn't re-sign with the Saints soon, Payton, who for the past two years has been trying to develop a young quarterback, will likely get a good idea if either Daniel or Canfield has what it takes. Daniel split the 2009 season between the Saints' practice squad and the active roster. He was the third-stringer for seven games and the backup for one when Brees was held out of the regular-season finale, then was the No. 3 quarterback for three postseason games. Canfield was the Saints' seventh-round draft pick out of Oregon State, last month. In the first four years that Brees has been with the Saints, there has been little need for a backup — at least in the regular season. He started all 63 games until being held out of the 2009 finale to ensure his health for the playoffs. Brunell started that game, but became a UFA in March. Because they don't have an open spot to sign another unrestricted free agent right now, the Saints may have to wait until July 22 to sign Patrick Ramsey or Josh McCown, whom they worked out in mid-April, unless Brunell signs elsewhere. Until then, Payton's search for the next Tony Romo, whom he brought along when he was with the Dallas Cowboys, might be limited to Daniel and Canfield. "I think a lot of people would say that it's one of the tougher positions to evaluate because you've seen that position get more attention," Payton said earlier this month. "It's probably one of the more difficult positions to play, with everything that's asked of it. Saints begin offseason training with backup QB questions \| thenewsstar.com \| The News Star Attached Thumbnails
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