Five Saints Players Stock To Watch Against Texans On Sunday

Quarterback Ryan Griffin

Aug 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Ryan Griffin (4) prepares to throw the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter in a preseason NFL football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Griffin has had his chances to take the reins behind Drew Brees during the preseason since joining the team as undrafted free agent in 2013.

Labeled as “RG4” by Brees, Griffin had the hometown hype behind him since he played for Tulane University that is just down the road from the Saints.

His first year was typical of a rookie quarterback and he was released on August 31st, 2013 after Luke McCown won the backup job but was later signed to the practice squad  after clearing waivers the next day.

Griffin was coveted by the St. Louis Rams so much they attempted to sign him that season but the Saints activated him to the active roster to prevent that from happening.

Last season he once again lost out to McCown after starting strong in the preseason, but fizzling again which lead to the Saints waiving him during final roster cuts and then re-signing him to the practice squad.

Griffin finds himself in a battle with McCown again and it might look like this could be a huge moment for him against the Texans.

Compared to how he looked last year at this time, Griffin has taken a quantam leap forward.

Yet, McCown has the edge on Griffin especially when it comes to experience, which head coach Sean Payton puts a lot of stock in, and 2015 third round pick Garrett Grayson is assured a roster spot for this year so Griffin would be the odd man out.

At last night’s practice, Griffin was working with the scout team which Payton said it’s actually the quarterbacks who decide who gets the “look-team reps” so it wasn’t as if he was banished there.

Griffin will need a flawless performance when his number is called since McCown is said to be getting the majority of snaps during the game.

The race to be the backup for Brees isn’t over, but Griffin has been anything but consistent in the past two games or practice.

Stock Watch: (Falling)

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