New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

The New Orleans Saints are one of four lucky franchises to have a future Hall of Fame lock at quarterback; the others being the New England Patriots with Tom Brady, Green Bay Packers with Aaron Rodgers, and Denver Broncos with Peyton Manning. The Saints have also been lucky in the sense that Brees is the only one to not miss a game due to injury (Rodgers has been durable as well, but had a brief bout with concussions). However, this makes one wonder where the Saints would stand if things went awry.

We have seen the backup situations for each of the aforementioned players at some point. Some turned out badly (see Curtis Painter) and others weren’t so bad (Matt Flynn and Matt Cassell). For the longest time, Brees’ protege was Chase Daniel who was attached to Brees at the hip on the sidelines. However, with Daniel being signed by the Kansas City Chiefs, the Saints will be looking for a new understudy for Brees this season.

Enter Ryan Griffin, an undrafted free agent out of Tulane. Griffin already had some ties to the Saints working with his head coach Curtis Johnson, former wide receivers coach for the Saints. While at Tulane, the Green Wave ran the same offensive system as the Saints. A four year starter, Griffin proved that he could be very productive, setting school records in passing attempts and completions. Despite the high volume of attempts, he managed to stay efficient setting a school record for completion percentage with a whopping 59.9%; in two of his four years, he was actually over 62%. In addition, he was second among Tulane quarterbacks in yards, including a career high of 2771 yards in nine games his senior season. Finally, he was fourth in touchdowns with 56.

Griffin is a project at this moment. Though Brees gave him the nickname “RG4” his 5.20 forty is a far cry from RG3’s 4.3 speed. However, what Griffin does possess is impressive arm talent which has scouts comparing him to Jay Cutler. However, unlike Cutler, Griffin lacks the mobility to escape pressure in the pocket to make use of his arm strength. Having said this, Griffin has still proven that he can be productive as evidenced by his numbers at Tulane, but he will need a lot of coaching at the next level to have a chance; who better to receive that from than Sean Payton and Brees.

Up to this point, we have been used to all the shots of Brees on the sideline being accompanied with Daniel close with a clipboard. This year, however, it will be Griffin holding the clipboard, in all those NFL Films shots. But unlike Daniel, Griffin, standing tall at 6’5”, will be looking down on Brees, while at the same time looking up to him.

New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin? | isportsweb

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

He could be the future if he's everything he was advertised to be

How good would that be when Brees hangs up the cleats (not anytime soon though) an undrafted QB taking the torch and lighting up the scoreboard

Im excited to see him play in preseason seen as Tulane literally ran our offense

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

So.......he's already the backup. Hmmmmmm.............you go boy. :smile:

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

Up to this point, we have been used to all the shots of Brees on the sideline being accompanied with Daniel close with a clipboard. This year, however, it will be Griffin holding the clipboard, in all those NFL Films shots.

So he already made the team

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

Who is REALLY going to be the backup QB?

I see Griffin as a PS player this season

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

I dont think Griffin will last on our practice squad, some team will snap him up if he performs well in preseason

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

Chew on that a while Atlanta with your "elite" QB.

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

I guess the Sean Canfield development is over with. I agree that Griffin would be claimed off of waivers and wouldn't make it to the PS so I think we just might carry 3 QB's this season.

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

I'm betting Griffin makes the Active Roster; the leap he made at the Texas vs The World (Senior) Bowl Game was remarkable...

He's the goods.

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

Given the fact that he's incredibly familiar with our offense, I wouldn't be surprised if we just keep Brees and Griffin. We might just see the Saints try to put Seneca Wallace on the practice squad.

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

If Brees goes down we are fubar. There is no one out there we can replace him with. Our whole concept of what the saints do on offense would have change. After Brees is gone I don't believe I will see another saints in the Super Bowl for my lifetime. It's all in on Brees now.

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

Once you have the formula for winning it doesn't go away until you change the Coach and or the General manager.

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

Really? I could not disagree more. We're likely screwed for that season, but Drew Brees isn't irreplacable. We have the draft.

Sean Payton makes a bigger difference than Brees.

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

We got really lucky with Brees. We gambled on his shoulder and were correct. How many times does a Brady or Brees come along - diamonds in the rough. Lest we be reminded of our wretched history before Brees. Good QBs like Brees are far an few between.

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

True, but a top 3 QB is rare air...

LMAO

Definitely

Re: New Orleans Saints: Who is Ryan Griffin?
 

With Sean Payton at the helm we could be just as successful with an RG3, Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck, Andy Dalton, Colin Kaepernick, Joe Flacco, Tony Romo, Sam Bradford, Matt Stafford, Matt Ryan (yes). Who knows, Payton could probably take Tanneyhill, Locker or Ponder and make them into a winner.

Hell we won our 1st playoff game with Aaron Brooks.