New Orleans Saints Conference Call
7TH-Round Draft Pick QB Sean Canfield
Saturday, April 24, 2010
What are your thoughts on being drafted by the Super Bowl champion Saints?
"First of all, it's an honor to be a part an organization like the Saints obviously with their past history over the last year. It's very exciting. The Saints were one of the few teams that took interest in me, the only one I had a formal interview with at the combine, reviewing film with Coach (Joe) Lombardi and the staff. It was really comfortable as far as scheme and progression within a pro style system. I was very excited."
Can you talk about the opportunity to learn from a Super Bowl MVP?
"That goes without saying. I obviously watched Drew Brees play in San Diego, being a native of San Diego growing up in Carlsbad thirty minutes from Qualcomm Stadium and obviously watching what he's been able to do overcoming injury, which is something I did in my sophomore year. I drew some parallel there with the injuries. I'm excited.
What about the opportunity to play for an aggressive offensive coach like Sean Payton?
"That's another thing too. One of the main reasons I went to Oregon State was to play for a coach like Mike Riley with the system he had in San Diego, watching the style of play that New Orleans has and the offense they have is very prolific and a very offensive-oriented team with coach Payton at the helm. I'm very excited.
Talk about the battle for a backup quarterback position?
"I feel like in my career, I've always been very hard on myself. With me going through an injury similar to what Drew Brees did taught me a lesson about confidence and overcoming obstacles. I think a lot of kids come out of college. They've never really had to compete for starting jobs for three or four years. Something I had to do was compete and I'm just looking forward to getting into camp, getting into minicamps, learning the offense, meeting Drew Brees and Chase Daniel, just getting oriented with everything. I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity.
What was your injury?
"I redshirted and it was during my redshirt sophomore year, I tore my labrum in my left throwing shoulder and it was about a nine-month recovery, very hard work to rehab, a long period of time until I was 100 percent and able to compete again. It was a very serious injury considering the position I played."
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
"I said it from day one going into the draft process, strengths are accuracy. I've always taken pride in throwing the ball with accuracy. Being able to put it where I need to. Footwork is something I've always worked on through my career and something I worked on going into the draft process. The pro style system in going over it with Coach (Joe) Lombardi and the staff prior to the draft is something I'm very familiar with and that they wanted to see. Talking to me after a few of my plays, I think they were comfortable with me because of my experience in the pro style system.
