WarEagle

Brady is 35 and Manning is 37. Both of those guys are still doing fine. Barring injury, Drew should remain really good for the duration of his contract (goes through the 2016 season, I think).

I think the Saints have at least two or three seasons before they need to worry about it (of course an injury can happen on any play). It does make you realize that the time is in the next two or three seasons for the Saints to try to make another run (or two!).

papz

Former Tulane QB Griffin happy to get chance with Saints

METAIRIE, La. — Ryan Griffin won’t venture to guess what the New Orleans Saints have planned for him.

But one thing Griffin, the former Tulane quarterback, can say is that he knows he’s in a good situation.

“I’m just happy to be here,” Griffin said. “Every day is a blessing. As an undrafted free agent, you don’t always have anything guaranteed. I’m just happy to be here and every day I appreciate it.”

His situation with New Orleans should be aided by the fact he was coached this past season by Curtis Johnson, a former Saints assistant coach who brought Sean Payton’s offense with him to Uptown.

In 2012, Griffin completed 62.2 percent of his passes for 2,771 yards and recorded 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He averaged 307.9 yards passing per game.

So far, Griffin says everything is pretty similar.

“I’d say about 90 percent of it is the same,” Griffin said. “And a lot of the terminology is the same, which is probably the biggest part because everybody runs the same concepts.”

That’s where Payton believes Griffin is different from a typical first-year rookie quarterback. It also should put him, at least from an offensive knowledge standpoint, ahead of Seneca Wallace, who signed with the Saints this offseason, and on par with Luke McCown. In the fight for the backup role.

“It’s noticeably different than maybe most first-year quarterbacks coming in and trying to pick things up right away,” Payton said of Griffin’s understanding of the offense. “You know, there’s a lot of things that are familiar. That’s a big plus for him.”

Griffin said that knowledge has helped him think less and act quicker.

“It’s always best to go out there and not have to think because you play faster and you play looser and you play better,” Griffin said. “It definitely helps and I’m just happy to have that opportunity.”

In the past, they’ve kept projects like Griffin on the practice squad or brought one on and off the roster a la Sean Canfield.

That said, Griffin – a four-year starter at Tulane – isn’t worried about just what the Saints have planned for him.

“I’m not here to judge my play and future,” Griffin said. “I’m just here to work hard and make my best with every play and rep I get.”

Former Tulane QB Griffin happy to get chance with Saints | wwltv.com New Orleans

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

TheOak

Pretty much why in 3 years when his rookie contract is up he will stay. "IF" he turns out worth keeping the below will be the process.

Here is Griffins process.. I know I am reaching a bit but this could also be considered a perfect storm: He is a Saint for three years, when his next contract comes up he only has 2 years to be the starting QB for the New Orleans Saints. He will hang around, there will be a little bit of loyalty involved because New Orleans was the team willing to give him a shot. You also have a QB that was passed over completely in the draft and will have a chip on his shoulder. Does this remind you of anyone? Arguable the top two QBs in the league, Brady and Brees had similar situations. Brady was passed over by nearly every team in the draft nearly 6 times (almost didnt get drafted), Brees had to deal with the "I may never play the game again" scenario which is just like not being drafted for a rookie.

What attributes make a good QB great (if they have the mechanics)? Work ethic and drive. Now I am not a believer that a backup watching a great QB play on the field give him much after the first year, but if Griffin learns and develops Drew's work ethic and drive and puts in the personal hours he could possibly become great.

Scouting reports do not chow any bad mechanics, only under sized (remind you of anyone?) And lacks some arm strength which can be improved upon.
.5" height difference and 4 lb difference. (There is a reason Sean Payton wanted him.



Ryan Griffins scouting report:
Positive: Undersized but accurate passer who does the little things well. Patient in the pocket, buys time for receivers, and works to make positive plays. Looks off the safety, quickly locates the open receiver, and puts touch on throws. Stands in against the rush taking a big hit in order to get the pass away. Has the ability to get outside the pocket and make throws on the move.
Negative: Does not have the arm strength necessary to power the ball through the tight windows and is often high of the mark when he attempts to put extra speed on throws. Replaced during the season due to ineffectiveness.
Analysis: Griffin was a solid college quarterback but lacks the size and arm strength to play at the next level. The ability to make the throw on the move or improvise when plays break down could help him catch on as a third quarterback for a West Coast or pistol offense.

Tom Bradys Scouting Report:
Tom Brady Positives: Good height to see the field. Very poised and composed. Smart and alert. Can read coverages. Good accuracy and touch. Produces in big spots and in big games. Has some Brian Griese in him and is a gamer. Generally plays within himself. Team leader.
Negatives: Poor build. Very skinny and narrow. Ended the '99 season weighing 195 pounds and still looks like a rail at 211. Looks a little frail and lacks great physical stature and strength. Can get pushed down more easily than you'd like. Lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush. Lacks a really strong arm. Can't drive the ball down the field and does not throw a really tight spiral. System-type player who can get exposed if he must ad-lib and do things on his own.
Summary: Is not what you're looking for in terms of physical stature, strength, arm strength and mobility, but he has the intangibles and production and showed great Griese-like improvement as a senior. Could make it in the right system but will not be for everyone.

TheOak

Steve Young sat behind Montana for 5 years before Montana got hurt. if you look at all the years Steve played before he got his starting shot in his 8th season he started an entire 16 games.

Young was in TB 85/86 then went to SF in 87 and basically sat until Montana was hurt in 1990

Jamessr

Ryan Griffin is a spare tire... Nothing more.
In 4 years we'll find a suitable replacement for Drew. No need to "groom" QB's anymore for the guys we've seen in the past few years

TheOak

Montana's career ending injury is every reason to always have someone ready to take the field and be able to win. We are a team that is heavily dependent on a good passing QB.

Do you want to be 9-3 and have the only viable QB on the team go down?

Danno

Which is why our #2 QB is probably going to be either McCown or Wallace.

I'm thinking Ryan gets cut and signed to the practice squad, where he'll remain a couple years.

Drews replacement, barring a freak injury, is still playing high school football.

TheOak

There are two things a GM and a Coach have to put into perspective, probable and possible. We are probably fine and Drew will probably not go down leaving us with the BU decision. There is a possibility that he could and that is what we have to be prepared for. Its the gamble. Its the reason I keep a spare tire on all of my vehicles.

You will just have to excuse my lack of any faith in either McCown or Wallace.

They have both proven in more than one place that they are not starters.

Seneca Wallace - Years in NFL 7, Games Started 21, Interceptions 18, 59% Comp, QBR 81
Luke McCown - years in NFL 7, Games started 9, Interceptions 14, 58% comp, QBR 68

Griffin has yet to prove anything which to me is a glass 1/2 full.

Seer1

There is no need to excuse your lack of faith in these two guys. It's totally justified. I'm glad Ryan's here and won't be surprised if we see him put Wallace and McClown in the soup line in short order.

papz

Unless he has a stellar preseason, I see that as well. And quite frankly, there's nothing wrong with that for him or us. Getting paid 6 digits to play football with minimal risk of injury is hardly a bad living.