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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees post practice media availability from Thursday, May 29, 2014

I know it’s still early in this process but how does it feel to be back on the field with this guys?

“This is a fun and exciting time. It’s the sixth week of the offseason so you spend those first five weeks with the majority of the emphasis on the weight room. Getting stronger, making improvements and strides in that regard. Some feel worked but it’s not the same as putting the helmets on and going out there and actually playing football. I think a lot of it is to take the work that maybe you've been able to get done with some of the young receivers and then see how that translates to the practice field and eventually how that will translate to the game field. I’m excited to see how some of these young receivers have progressed with the opportunity that they've now been given. Obviously a guy like Lance Moore, he isn't here anymore, Darren Sproles, he isn’t here anymore, so that opens up opportunities for these young guys and you can see them kind of seizing that opportunity with the way they’ve worked over the last six weeks. I’m excited about these next few weeks of practices”.

What about the center position? Obviously you have Tim (Lelito) right now. You have to develop that chemistry with him at some point right?

“(Tim) Lelito stepped in on two occasions last year where he started at right guard and really did a great job when he was in there in place of Jahri (Evans). He’s a guy who, obviously, we feel very comfortable with, whether it’s at the center position of the guard position, it’s nice to have a guy that has the kind of versatility. You like his story, coming from Grand Valley State and coming here and really earning that spot last year. Whether it was starting at right guard or coming in as a tight end or coming in a fullback blocking position, he’s been able to do some things for us and now he’s he has the opportunity to spot. I’m happy and excited for him”.

I know much will be made about Jimmy (Graham) not being here. He posted a tweet today on a boat that said “Suns out guns out” or something like that. Do you follow that at all?

“I do follow him on twitter but I haven't seen that one today. I stay in touch with Jimmy (Graham) and there’s no doubt in my mind that a deal will get done at some point. He knows it’s part of the process and we’ve had conversations about that. I know that he’ll be ready when it’s time to come but I’m not worried about Jimmy at this point. I’m confident that he is going to be just fine once he gets here”.

It was a challenge going against this defense last year and now they’ve gotten so much better when you look at the secondary now with a guy like Champ (Bailey) back there and (Jairus) Byrd. How much more a challenge do you expect it’s going to be going forward getting the reps against this defense that has obviously gotten better?

“You know, I see a lot confidence in that secondary. Keenan Lewis had a big year last year for us. I love his mindset, I love his approach each and every day. He’s very much about technique and doing things the right way. You can tell he loves game because he studies it, he knows receivers, he knows certain tendencies. I just watch the way he works and it’s great to have guys like that on the other side not just from the standpoint that your one of the starters but the influence that you will have on younger guys, just like a guy like Champ (Bailey). Champ’s career speaks for itself and certainly he’s going to help us a ton. Jairus Byrd you can’t say enough about. His ball production, his productivity. When he’s out there, he is a ball hawk and you have to know where he is so he can do some things. That combined with just the youth that we have and some of these guys that are still up and coming. Patrick Robinson coming back from his injury last year. We’ve got some guys around here that can play. The second round pick (Stanley) Jean-Baptiste, I’m excited about continuing to see him develop. He is a big, physical guy out there so I think we have a lot of diversity in terms of the type of players that we have back there because they all have ball skills. They are all in and around the ball, they’re getting their hands on it and typically when they do that, one of them is coming up with it which makes it tough for us to go up against that in practice and that’s a good thing for once we get to game time because hopefully that means we get a lot a short fields”.

Akiem Hicks knocked one down speaking of ball skills. He’s a guy that a lot of people see as a potential breakout player this year. Is he a guy that’s continued to impress you?

“Yeah he has. I think he is kind of coming into his own and finding his role in that front. He’s a big physical guy and fits perfectly for our defensive structure with the 3-4. Big, strong, powerful both in the run and the pass. He’s got good awareness. I like it when you see young guys like that develop. I’m glad he’s on our side”.

Read more: Drew Brees talks about getting back on the field

QBREES9

"This is a fun and exciting time" I wish i could say that about my job.

RailBoss

He is also getting bored slicing meat at Jimmy Johns!