Backup Quarterback

So who ends up being Drew's back up this year?

4 Ryan Griffin 6-5 206 23 (Rookie) Tulane
7 Luke McCown 6-4 217 32 (10th year) Louisiana Tech
10 Seneca Wallace 5-11 205 32 (10th year) Iowa State


Here are some things being said about the back up QB race:

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Saints coach Sean Payton and quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi both say it is far too early to even have an idea if either McCown or Wallace has the edge.

"They are both doing very well, which always makes it hard when you are evaluating," Lombardi said. "It's a lot easier when someone is doing good and someone is doing poor.

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By virtue of familiarity of the offense it would seem McCown has the edge over Wallace and for that matter even undrafted rookie Ryan Griffin may have the leg up coming in from Tulane where the Green Wave ran a version of the Saints offense under Curtis Johnson.

But like McCown, Wallace has been part of West Coast offenses his entire 11-year career, so the concepts and philosophy have not been as difficult to grasp.

Both McCown and Wallace have both been given about equal reps with the second-team offense to make the competition more even.

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"Luke does a great job. Obviously, he was here last year and he knows a little bit of the offense," said Wallace, who spent his first 10 years of his career primarily as a backup in Seattle and Cleveland. "He does a great job working with me and helping me out with a few things.

"It's fun, clean competition."

Both Wallace and McCown have been up and down at certain times in camp but if there has been a difference it has been Wallace's ability to make things happen with his legs. It's similarity he shares with Brees in addition to their 6-foot(ish) stature.

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Griffin, a rookie undrafted free agent from Tulane, is unlikely to make New Orleans’ active roster this season as he competes with veterans Luke McCown and Seneca Wallace to replace Chase Daniel as Drew Brees’ backup. A spot on the practice roster is well within reach, though, and he’s giving himself the best shot possible because of his familiarity with the system.

Tulane coach Curtis Johnson brought the Saints offense with him when he took the Green Wave job last year

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The terminology and many of the plays Griffin is running in minicamp already are second nature.

“I’m still getting used to a lot of stuff, but it definitely helps having a similar terminology out there,” he said. “There are some differences, but it’s pretty close. I’m able to say the play and know what’s going on without having to think too hard.”

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“There were seven other teams that offered, but it was a pretty easy decision,” said Griffin, a California native. “I’m so happy I get to stay, hopefully, for a while longer. It’s a great city, and Drew Brees has been great. From on the field to the film room, he’s pointed out little technique things and drop things.

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Daniel was an undrafted free agent, too, joining the Saints in 2009 after failing to make the Washington Redskins final roster as a rookie. He spent one season primarily on the practice squad and the next three as Brees’ top backup before signing with Kansas City as a free agent in March.

Griffin, trying to follow in Daniel’s footsteps, turned a few heads at minicamp, which ended Thursday.

“He’s good, he really is,” tight end Jimmy Graham said. “He’s improving every day. The more he practices, the better he’ll be. He definitely has velocity, and to be going through the reads like he does this early is awesome.”

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