NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Saints starting quarterback Aaron Brooks did not report to training camp.

	Brooks

"Yes, I am surprised,'' general manager Mickey Loomis said Saturday. "We haven't heard from him, and we don't know why he isn't here. No one's talked to him.''

Loomis said he assumes Brooks' failure to report Friday night was a contract holdout, but neither Brooks nor his agent have contacted the Saints or responded to calls from the team.

Brooks is in the final year of his contract, making the league minimum of $400,000. The Saints have made an offer to Brooks and received a counter offer from Brooks' agent, Andre Colona.

Loomis refused to discuss what the Saints offered Brooks. Colona did not return phone calls to his office.

Loomis, who was thrown into the job after Randy Mueller was fired May 9, said he spoke to Colona Wednesday, and Colona told him Brooks had no problem waiting to negotiate a new deal.

"We're disappointed, but I don't want to overreact,'' Loomis said. "Obviously, he must feel strongly about something. I expect to hear from him.''

Last season, Brooks tied a team record with 26 touchdown passes and set the season marks for rushing yards by a quarterback (358 yards) and total offense (4,190).

After the Saints' first practice of training camp, coach Jim Haslett said he did not understand why Brooks or his agent failed to called.

"Communication is a big part of this,'' Haslett said. "I'd like to have him communicate. Aaron's got to do what he's got to do. This football team will be fine. It's a great opportunity for Jake (Delhomme), and he's going to get a lot of reps. He has a chance to show people that he's a pretty good football player.''

Delhomme, the No. 2 quarterback, took the majority of the work Saturday morning.

"I understand what Aaron has to do,'' Delhomme said. "But it's a good opportunity for me. I got a lot more work than I expected to.''

The holdout does not strengthen Brooks' negotiating status, Loomis said.

"We're not going to negotiate with anyone that's not in training camp and under contract,'' Loomis said

Brooks came to the Saints in a 2000 trade with Green Bay. He stepped in for the Saints that season after Jeff Blake was injured in the 10th game.

Brooks then led the Saints to their first playoff victory, a 31-24 win against St. Louis.