Saints Practicing Without Drew Brees

Well, the Saints and Drew Brees are still reportedly $2 million dollars apart in their contract negotiations. Until a deal is inked, practice will continue without Drew Brees. Even though the seasoned quarterback is absent, Saints interim Coach Joe Vitt isn't worried one bit.

Let's try our hardest to keep the faith! Hopefully this messy contract negotiation business is settled soon for Drew Brees and before we know it he'll be practicing with the rest of our Saints, leading them into a strong 2012 NFL season!

With the absence of Drew Brees from practice interim head coach Joe Vitt was asked if he was nervous without his star quarterback. "I'm not. Nobody is going to come in better shape than Drew. Drew is working hard right now. Drew is working extremely hard right now. He's mastered the system. This will get done.  It will get done with both parties getting together and getting this thing done. They are both working hard at it."

While Brees stays sway from practice another quarterback is taking advantage of the situation. Luke McCown has quickly turned heads in practice and might very well earn a spot on the team after Brees works out a new contract with the Saints.

"We're going to take a look and evaluate this now. He beat us at Tampa Bay. He's has a little bit of mileage in this system because he was under (Jon) Gruden at Tampa Bay, so he kind of knows the same things that Sean (Payton) wants," Vitt said. "He's athletic. He has a good, live arm. He did a good job today getting guys in and out of the huddle, getting guys lined up so he is under the evaluation process right now."

As for Chase Daniel the coach believes he continues to improve with each practice.

"You guys have all been here for a bunch of practices. I've seen a lot of you guys out here for six years. You could probably evaluate the practice. The ball is not on the ground. The quarterback under exchange has been phenomenal. He's operating within the system and parameters. I think his ball location is getting better and better every practice. He opened up our team period today with a 40-yard strike. I think that Chase is progressing and making the most out of this opportunity."--Kirk Michelet, WAIB

Read the latest on Drew Brees' contract negotiations.