Quarterback Vince Young's coming-out party at the University of Texas' pro day Wednesday turned into his coronation as a legitimate candidate to be the first pick in the NFL draft on April 29. The Texans will lead off the draft, and even though they are expected to take Southern California running back Reggie Bush, Young's outstanding performance Wednesday at the Longhorns' pro day should make them think long and hard before making the selection. "He did a great job," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "I was real impressed. He showed a very strong arm, and he was accurate on the move. He looked like he could have thrown all day. He made every throw. He did everything you could ask a guy to do in this situation." Young ? who was measured and weighed at 6-4 5/8 and 228 pounds ? put on an impressive performance in the Longhorns' practice bubble.

Aaron Brooks arrived Monday in the Bay Area, spent Tuesday visiting with the Raiders and ? unlike some other personalities the Raiders have entertained recently ? stayed the night and will meet with the Raiders again today. By contrast, Josh McCown, the first quarterback the Raiders hosted for chalk talks was in town one night and didn't even spend an entire day huddling at the team's Alameda headquarters before bolting to Detroit to sign with the Lions. There, he accepted the same contract offered to him by Oakland. However, according to one report, Brooks, a free agent after being waived last week by the New Orleans Saints after they signed Drew Brees, may also find himself wooed by a team in the NFC's Northern Division. The Wisconsin State Journal reported that the Green Bay Packers have developed an interest in Brooks after losing backup Craig Nall to the Buffalo Bills this week.

Former Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks will interview with the Raiders on Tuesday, as the team continues its search for a veteran to compete with career backup Marques Tuiasosopo and second-year passer Andrew Walter. Brooks, who turns 30 on March 24, was cut by New Orleans last week when the team signed free agent Drew Brees.

Former Minnesota running back Michael Bennett agreed to a two-year contract with the New Orleans Saints on Friday. New Orleans also agreed to terms with linebacker Anthony Simmons and safety Omar Stoutmire while releasing guard Kendyl Jacox, who played for the Saints since 2002.

Aaron Brooks was cut Wednesday, the same day the Saints introduced Drew Brees as their new starting quarterback. Brooks' stay in New Orleans was effectively over after he endured his worst season in 2005, throwing for 13 touchdowns and 17 interceptions before being benched with three games remaining in the season. New Orleans finished 3-13.

Early in his career, there were questions about Drew Brees having a slow release. That wasn't the case Tuesday when he pulled the trigger on a six-year, $60 million deal with the New Orleans Saints that included a $8 million signing bonus and a 2006 base salary of $2 million. The contract includes a $12 million option bonus due next spring and a base salary of $3 million for 2007. Brees' decision came within seconds of the Dolphins dropping out of the bidding when they traded a second-round choice for Daunte Culpepper. All along, the Saints had more money and more guarantees on the table for Brees and wanted to use his name as the marquee for ticket sales, sales that have been hot because of the Saints' return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Even though the Saints will be looking at Matt Leinart in the draft, they have Brees as their starting quarterback. That puts the Saints in the position to possible trade down from the No. 2 spot and take defensive end Mario Williams or simply take the North Carolina State defensive end.

Drew Brees is headed to New Orleans this morning to discuss with the Saints the possibility he could become their quarterback. The Miami Dolphins are to host Brees tomorrow should he leave New Orleans not a Saint. ?I expect to continue with a couple more teams after that,? agent Tom Condon said.