Drew Brees 'impressed' with potential heir Garrett Grayson

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees didn't sound thrilled about the idea of his team using a high draft pick on a quarterback before the draft, but he may be warming up to the idea now that it's a reality.

After spending some time with the Saints' third-round pick, Garrett Grayson, Brees was complimentary.

"It's always a process for a young quarterback coming into an NFL program, running a new offense, the speed of the game, just all the things that kind of come with jumping up to the next level," Brees said Monday, according to Nick Underhill and Joel A. Erickson from the New Orleans Advocate. "Like I said, today was the first day I've been around him, so I can't say that I know him that well. But I've been impressed with what I've seen so far."

There are whispers some in the Saints organization feel the 36-year-old Brees is on the downside of his career and expect his level of play to drop off rapidly. Grayson, the third quarterback off the board in the draft, may be viewed more as the heir-apparent than a developmental backup.

The veteran-quarterback-mentoring-his-replacement dynamic isn't always a comfortable one, but Brees says he will do whatever he can to help Grayson.

"I’ve got a great relationship with Luke McCown and Ryan Griffin and I’m sure that as I get to know Garrett, we’ll very much be like that as well," Brees said. "All the quarterbacks are great together. We push one another, we compete, we get the best out of one another. That’s what you kind of like about surrounding yourself with those types of guys. And Garrett seems to be that kind of guy."