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Finlen gets 2nd chance at NFL

Chris Finlen is getting a second shot with the New Orleans Saints.

The former Rockton Hononegah and Northern Illinois University quarterback signed a two-year non-guaranteed contract with the Saints. Finlen originally signed with New Orleans in 2003 and was allocated to the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe, where he completed 25 of 45 passes for 197 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

Finlen later was released by the Saints after injuring his shoulder in September 2003. Going into training camp in 2003, Finlen was ranked fifth on the depth chart. With his signing, he is now third behind starter Aaron Brooks and veteran backup Todd Bouman.

"I've been trying to get on with Miami and New York (Jets) for a while, and all of a sudden New Orleans called and told me the situation," Finlen said. "I'm currently third on their depth chart, and I'm excited for the opportunity."

Finlen was signed by the Jets last season, but never cracked their roster or practice squad.

Finlen will report to Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 25 and compete in a training program before being sent to NFL Europe in March. He most likely will play for Berlin, where he has a good rapport with head coach Rick Lantz.

Lantz was the defensive coordinator at Barcelona when Finlen was there.

"Last year going to New York, I felt good with the situation I was in, but I feel a lot better with this (situation)," Finlen said.

Finlen believes the Saints will bring in more quarterbacks in the coming months, but he feels comfortable working with a system he knows.

"Two years ago, I got along great with the quarterbacks coach (Mike Sheppard), and he just got promoted to offensive coordinator on Friday," Finlen said. "He runs a West Coast offense, and that's a system I'm real familiar and comfortable with. New York ran the exact same offense, which gave me a good grasp of the playbook."

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