Ryan Griffin takes lead over Luke McCown for Saints’ backup QB job
By Dan Zinski
A huge play by Brandin Cooks helped Saints #3 QB Ryan Griffin possibly leapfrog #2 Luke McCown in the New Orleans backup QB competition. At least that’s how ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett sees it in his wrap-up of the Saints-Rams preseason opener.
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"Ryan Griffin won the first round of the backup-QB battle by a landslide. Veteran Luke McCown started the game and did OK, but his night was marred by an ill-advised interception into the arms of blitzing defensive end Chris Long. Griffin, meanwhile, continued to show the poise and maturity he’s been displaying all summer while completing 16 of 23 passes for 179 yards, a touchdown and no picks. Although Cooks got deserved credit for that touchdown catch, Griffin deserves just as much for absorbing a huge hit as he threw the ball under pressure."
In past years #2 QB in New Orleans was about as anonymous a position as any guy could hope to want, but with Drew Brees getting older and maybe starting to show some wear and tear, all of a sudden the Saints back up QB job matters.
Griffin has youth on his side, and if he can keep playing like he did Friday night, he will easily bump off the older, less valuable McCown. Griffin may even establish himself as a legitimate heir-apparent to Brees, who after all isn’t going to play forever.
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