NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book says that due to the unpredictability of COVID-19, he and fellow reserve QB Trevor Simian adopted the motto: "Be prepared."
Now, with a COVID-19 outbreak infecting at least 15 Saints players and several coaches, Book is on the verge of seeing how prepared he really is.
The Notre Dame rookie took photos Friday at practice as New Orleans' No. 1 QB and is set to make his NFL regular-season debut as a starter against the Miami Dolphins at the Superdome on Monday night.
"This is an incredible opportunity," Book said Friday night. "I don't know how it's going to feel. I've played the big games, but I think it's the biggest, obviously. We're professionals right now and it's Monday Night Football."
Buc, who has been inactive for the first 14 games of his career, thought he would play when the regular Saints starting quarterback called on Thursday to inform him that he had tested positive for COVID-19. Siemian also tested positive shortly before Hill, leaving Buc as the only active QB on the roster.
"I did the math there very quickly," Book said.
On Friday, New Orleans signed veteran Blake Bortles, but coach Sean Payton said the plan remains in place for the book to begin.
There is also a chance that Hill or Seamion could test COVID-19 protocols to be activated on Monday night, but Buk said he could not consider that possibility.
"I plan to play," said Book. "You can't flip that switch on Monday morning, trying to get ready. It doesn't work that way, especially in the quarterback position."
When Book receives a play call in the earpiece of his helmet, the sound he will hear will be that of Peyton. The coach returned to practice on Friday after his own bout with COVID-19 forced him to isolate for nearly a week and missed the team's win in Tampa Bay on Sunday night .
While Peyton said that Buc is throwing well and appears to be "a good student of the game", he also stressed that it is up to the coaches and the entire team to help Buc play to his strengths. And be at ease.
"Obviously, you have a new quarterback, but it's more than just a quarterback," Peyton said. "It's everyone painting the right picture, we're playing well in the kicking game and on the defence.
"He's going to do well. He's excited about the opportunity," Peyton said. "It's up to us to give him the right things with regards to the game and where we are on the offensive."
The timing for the book appears to be accidental. His family is visiting for Christmas, including a brother who has been at the Army Boot Camp in Fort Benning, Georgia. They all plan to attend the game, as did former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, who left the Irish at the end of the college football regular season to take over at LSU.
And the book's first chance also comes after months of watching and studying how Peyton's crime works. Every time there was a picture at practice or a game, Book noted, "I had to take it mentally."
Peyton said he is not concerned about Buc's chivalry—not after all the big games he played for Notre Dame, where Buc won a school-record 30 games in four seasons.
"He's played in the real big games and he's done it consistently -- if you're measuring wins and losses -- better than any quarterback in Notre Dame history," Peyton said. "Obviously there is a transition at this stage, but I think he is up to the challenge."
Book said Saints players have also offered enthusiastic support. Injured Saints QB Jameis Winston, who started seven games before the end of his ACL season, wrote the book on a "good note". Hill and Simian offered guidance over the phone.
"I have this whole team behind me," said Book. "I think all these people have my back and to hear everyone, how excited they are that I get the chance, is great."
Of course, the outbreak of the same virus that has presented Book with opportunity has also robbed the rosters of several key players this week, including linebacker and defensive captain DeMario Davis, safety Malcolm Jenkins and right tackle Ryan Ramkick. But the book doesn't look strange.
"There's a million excuses I'd say, and we're not going to use any of them," Book said. "Just go out there to play, have fun. It's football."