Who’s got Drew’s back? It’s iffy

By Darrell Laurant  |   Monday, August 06, 2007  |  Comments( 4 )

New Orleans Saints
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
If quarterback Drew Brees (and isn't that an ironic name for the quarterback of a team of hurricane survivors?) stays healthy this season, the New Orleans Saints have a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl in a comparatively weak NFC.

What nobody talks about, or likes to think about, is what might happen if Brees gets hurt.

Which is a distinct possibility, of course. The veteran from Purdue suffered a couple of major injuries as a San Diego Charger, and any quarterback is just one blind-side hit away from the injured reserve list.

So what happens then? At the moment, Jamie Martin happens. This isn't as dire a circumstance as it might seem -- the 13-year veteran from Weber State started much of the season for the St. Louis Rams in 2005 after Marc Bulger got hurt and looked crisp in the Saints' finale with Carolina last year, going 16 of 24 for 208 yards and a touchdown after Brees played only the first quarter.

But let's back up -- 13-year veteran? Well, yeah. So it's a safe bet that Martin won't be confused with Michael Vick (probably a good thing) any time soon as far as mobility is concerned. This is a guy who will live or die by his offensive line.

Rookie Tyler Palko put up big numbers at the University of Pittsburgh. Plus, he's left-handed. So far, though, he's struggled with accuracy in practice. Second-year man Jamie Fife? Same thing.

According to several news accounts of a practice earlier this week, Fife threw a deep interception to safety Chris Reis, then dashed downfield and tackled Reis out of frustration.

Asked later whether he liked his quarterbacks making tackles in practice, Saints coach Sean Payton replied dryly, "No, and we don't like them throwing interceptions, either."

At another point in practice, however, Brees was delighting onlookers with long touchdown passes to Marques Colston and Devery Henderson.

Palko said he was learning a lot from Brees, and the embarrassed Fife said he just got frustrated.

Meanwhile, the Saints slipped another rookie QB, Matt Baker from North Carolina, into camp for a tryout.

"We're always willing to take a look at what's out there," Payton said.

The Saints can only hope that what's out there isn't bad news for Drew Brees.

Got a bone to pick with a newspaper columnist, talk show personality or television analyst? E-mail us at mediawatch@realfootball365.com. For more information, visit our Media Watch info page.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (4)

About Darrell Laurant

Sorry, Darrell Laurant's bio is currently not available. Please check back soon!
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report