New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - let's talk about qb's...........civilized please.........

Goos topic ssmitty. Here are my thoughts:

1. AB
In all honesty, I would not be the least bit surprised if AB finally had the breakout year that we've all been hoping for. We're deep and talented across the o-line, at RB, and at WR, and there is good competition at TE. Plus, the playbook is being simplified. I can imagine, even with the focus on running, a year where AB sees almost 4,000 yards, 27 TDs, 15 INTs, a 62% completion percentage, and a QB rating of 95 or 100.

On the flip side, I would not be the least bit surprised to see exactly what we've seen for the last 4 years. The issue for the Saints may be this - what if AB improves, but not a lot. What if his completion percentage is 59% or 60%? What if his QB rating is 89 or 91 maybe. What if his overall stats get slightly better but he remains inconsistent? Then you're faced with a QB who has had his best season (and a good one by NFL standards), but who is still inconsistent, who hasn't seemed to break out, and who costs a ton. Further, you've got youth (or poo in Bouman's case) behind him, so making a change is risky. Further - what if the team wins with AB at the helm? What if they're 10-6 and make the playoffs. Do you make a change at the most important position on the field?

2. Backups
Haslett has been in don't rock the boat mode for the last two offseasons, it seems. Given A-Mac's and Kingsbury's youth and inexperience, I doubt Bouman is going anywhere any time soon. He will be the #2 heading into the season. A-Mac - the clear talent leader will be 3 and KK ends up on the practice squad again.

3. Injury
If AB gets hurt, I think we are unfortunately screwed. I think in that case, Bouman gets the nod. He plays 3 games, we lose all 3, and he has an average QB rating around 60. A-Mac then gets a chance. My guess is that his play would be something like what AB's was in 2000 when he filled in for Blake. Raw but talented - not particularly great, but he'll make up for mistakes by making plays with his athleticism when plays break down and it's a fire drill. The big difference: there were no expectations when Brooks filled in in 2000 - we all thought we were screwed. If A-Mac had to step up, much more would be expected of him.

4. Next Season
I think next year depends a lot on what the team does. If the team doesn't make the playoffs, I think Haslett's job is really in jeopardy, and a new coach means A-Mac + a veteran FA as a stop-gap. If the Saints are competitive, Haslett gets an extension and Brooks signs a new contract also which reduces his 2006 cap number but probably pays him $50 million for 7 years. I just have a hard time believing that Brooks will go anywhere while Haslett is still the coach, absent an injury or major melt down. Maybe if AB gets hurt early this season, and A-Mac fills in and plays well, then maybe there would be a real QB battle next offseason, assuming Haslett/Brooks are still around.