METAIRIE, La. -- Garrett Grayson already spent some time with one of his idols, Peyton Manning, at the Manning Passing Academy in southern Louisiana last year. But the New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback admitted he was still a bit star-struck when he met new teammate Drew Brees on Saturday.
“I’m like, ‘Holy cow,’ you know. ‘That’s Drew Brees,’” Grayson said of Brees, who dropped by to watch some of the Saints’ rookie minicamp practice with his kids on Saturday morning. “It’s still kind of like the deer-in-the-headlights kind of thing, because it’s a dream come true for me to be able to have this opportunity to learn from one of the best quarterbacks of all time.”
The Saints drafted Grayson in the third round out of Colorado State -- the first time they’ve drafted a QB higher than Round 7 in the 10 years since Brees and coach Sean Payton have been in New Orleans.
Grayson isn’t expected to push Brees for a starting job immediately. But with Brees now 36 years old, it’s possible Grayson could develop into his successor at some point down the road.
Grayson reiterated Saturday what he said both before and after the draft -- that the competitive side of him would love to play right away, but he has no problem sitting and learning behind a legend.
“That’s something I said through the process, combine, everything. I told all the teams that I met with I have no problem with sitting and learning from a guy like Drew Brees,” Grayson said. “Because I kind of look at Aaron Rodgers and the success that he’s had, sitting behind Brett Favre. I think that’s helped him out a ton. I have no problem taking that route, and then being able to come in behind Drew Brees, and we won’t miss a beat.”
As for how the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder has handled himself on the field so far through the first two days of rookie camp, Payton described Grayson as “sharp.”
“It’s been impressive,” said Payton, who also made a point to compliment tryout quarterbacks Justin Worley from Tennessee and Taylor Graham from Hawaii as one of the best combinations of rookie QBs the Saints have had in a rookie camp.
“[Grayson] is a quick decision-maker. He’s got good arm strength, his athleticism, he’s in shape,” Payton continued. “He’s a quick study, and he’s very accurate.”
Brees’ cameo appearance was pretty common, Payton said. Payton said seven or eight veterans were also around during Friday’s practices, taking a peek at some of their new teammates.
Plus, Payton added, Brees was “also probably babysitting. His kids love running around here.”