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Q: I haven't heard anyone comment on the need of a reliable/viable backup QB.

With all of the protections afforded QBs by the new rules the league has imposed, it's somewhat unlikely, but if Brees goes down, we are hosed. Todd Gray, Arlington, Va.



A: Excellent point, Todd. Drew Brees has started 79 of 80 possible games in his remarkable five-year tenure in New Orleans. The only start he missed came in the 2009 season finale at Carolina when the Saints elected to rest their starters. His consistent reliability has been a key factor in the club's success. His athleticism, awareness and anticipation make it difficult for defenses to get a good shot at him. I can count on one hand the number of times a defender has gotten a clean shot on him in five seasons. That said, Brees knows as well as anyone that fluke injuries can happen in this game. The reality is the Saints are only a snap away from having Chase Daniel running their offense. It's easy to see why the Saints are high on Daniel. He's got a lot of Brees in him. He's smart, competitive and athletic in the pocket. What's more, he has Brees' relentless competitive streak. Anyone who watched the two quarterbacks go at it in the home-run derby competition during Heath Evans' charity softball game can attest to it. While he remains unproven, he knows the offense better than anyone but Brees and has moved the offense in his cameo appearances in the regular season and preseason. The Saints' system is extremely quarterback-friendly and Daniel's skill set is perfectly suited to run it. It requires the ability to read defenses and make pre-snap adjustments. It also requires mobility. That's why Payton likes quarterbacks like Brees, Daniel and Mark Brunell. Finding a veteran quarterback with those skill sets who is willing to come to New Orleans and work exclusively as a back-up is not easy. Finding one better and cheaper than Daniel might be impossible. Consequently, I'd be surprised if the Saints signed another quarterback at this stage.

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TheDeuce

I personally think he's done a pretty good job as a backup. It's obviously a huge drop in talent between Brees and Daniel... but come on, name another team besides maybe the Eagles (Vick/Kolb) who has a great one-two punch. There aren't even enough good starters in this league to expect teams to have a backup worthy of too much praise.

Rugby Saint II

I like Daniels and his attitude. I believe that we could survive without Brees......I just don't want to.

jcp026

Daniel is a fine back up and might be Brees' successor. This lockout is killing me. I don't think I can handle missing a preseason game, if it comes to that.

QBREES9

I hear you jcp026. I'm a big Chase Daniel fan. I'm not always right, I think he'll do just fine when and if we ever need him. Hey he's learning from the best !!!! Drew Brees.

darstep

Payton has enough options built-in to make most QB's reasonably successful. He will put him in position to do what he does best and not hang him out to dry. Daniels has good skills and would be OK if he had to go 2-4 weeks. But like Rugby, I'll take his word for it, and don't want to make him prove it.

foreverfan

st thomas

i'd like to see chase in 3 preseason games with all the #1's in place. that will and should tell all we need to know if we need a vet with a clipboard.

QBREES9

I have Faith in Chase !!!!

Speedy Ron

lets just hope we dont need him to step in. my anxiety would be through the roof