Moore off to strong start for Saints

Because of Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees’ tendency to spread the football among his receiving corps, the receivers could be the deepest position on the Saints roster. However, with injuries plaguing several of the Saints’ bigger name receivers, one wideout is making the most of his opportunity to shine in camp.

By all accounts, Lance Moore had a completely forgettable 2009-2010 season outside of his aerobic two-point conversion reception. Injuries hampered Moore for most of the season, and Saints coach Sean Payton said that Moore was nearly placed on the injured reserve list as several points last season. Because of the short memory that some fans have, many have forgotten about his 2008 season and the 10 touchdowns, 79 receptions, and over 900 yards receiving that he amassed.

All healthy now, Moore is shining even brighter while Marques Colston and Robert Meachem are currently unable to practice. Moore caught five passes from Brees on the first day of camp and was earning rave reviews from fans, the media, and the coaching staff for his hot start to camp.

Ideally, Moore would fit in as a Wes Welker/Miles Austin type slot receiver for the Saints, and as long as he remains healthy, should be counted on to be the Saints number two receiver and put up numbers similar to those during his 2008 campaign.

Four Saints start camp on PUP list

While every player on the Saints roster is under contract and present at training camp, four marquee players are beginning the 2010 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

Wide receivers Marques Colston and Robert Meachem, safety Darren Sharper, and linebacker Clint Ingram will all beging training camp on the list as they recover from offseason surgeries. Although it is a nerve-racking to see four potential starters begin the season on the list with injuries, head coach Sean Payton does not believe that any of the players will be out for more than two weeks.

All of the players on the PUP list participate in meetings and weight training sessions, but are ineligible to practice with the team until they are healed and taken off the list.

Saints sign first-round pick Robinson

The Times-Picayune is reporting that the Saints have signed their first round draft pick, cornerback Patrick Robinson out of Florida State University, to a deal. The financial terms of the contract have not been released, but the rookie has been signed to a five-year deal.

With the signing of Robinson, everyone on the Saints roster will be at the first practice of the 2010 training camp on Friday. Several player will begin camp on the Physically Unable to perform list, which I will get to tomorrow, but every player will be at practice, which is good that all the players will be learning the playbook and on the field together.

Robinson’s signing is particularly important for depth when the Saints schedule is taken into consideration. The Super Bowl champions have games against the Bengals, the Cardinals, the Cowboys, and the Vikings, all of whom have great, deep receiving corps that will require multiple defensive backs to cover. The addition of Robinson as the nickel back will greatly strengthen the Saints defense, especially with the uncertainty facing Darren Sharper’s health and Malcolm Jenkins’ possible move to free safety.

Saints position breakdown: Quarterbacks

Quarterbacks on Roster entering training camp:

Drew Brees
Patrick Ramsey
Chase Daniel
Sean Canfield

Entering training camp, the quarterback position is probably the most stable position on the Saints roster, outside of special teamers. Brees, arguably the best quarterback in the league is entrenched as the Saints starting quarterback and it would take an injury to have him miss any time from starting.

However, behind Brees on the depth chart there will be a competition for those vying to be Brees’ number one backup. Recently signed Patrick Ramsey will battle second-year quarterback Chase Daniel for the number two quarterback on the roster. Ramsey is a journeyman quarterback who has bounced from team to team after being the first round draft pick of the Redskins in 2002, and would bring experience to the backup spot, much like Mark Brunell did for the past two seasons.

Daniel is expected to give Ramsey a run for his money. The coaching staff is rumored to be very high on Daniel, who they kept on the roster as the third-string quarterback or practice squad player almost all of last season. He has a similar build to Brees, and would be a cheaper, but more inexperienced backup to the Super Bowl MVP.

Canfield, the teams seventh-round draft pick, is expected to get reps in camp and be a member of the team’s practice squad.

The battle for the backup quarterback position will be an interesting one to follow, as roster spots may not be guaranteed to Daniel and Ramsey. With lots of quality players on the Saints roster and only 53 players making the final cut, if there are some tough decisions that need to be made at other positions, the quarterback that establishes himself the most during camp and preseason could get the backup spot, with the other being put on waivers.

Saints sign Ramsey, Graham

Just days before the start of training camp, the Saints signed their third-round draft pick, tight end Jimmy Graham, and inked quarterback Patrick Ramsey to deals.

Ramsey, a former quarterback from Tulane, is expected to compete with Chase Daniel for the backup spot behind Drew Brees for the 2010 season. His deal was for one year, and the financial terms were not disclosed.

With Grahams signing, the only Saints draft pick yet to come to terms with the team is first-round pick Patrick Robinson. Graham signed a four-year deal, and the financial terms of the contract were also not given.

The Saints begin their training camp on Friday in New Orleans.

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