Drew Brees Remains Elite Despite What You Hear
By Jason Calbos
The wild rumors being thrown around outside of New Orleans in some circles, are that Drew Brees’ better days are behind him.
That Brees is all used up and the Saints are looking to trade him away to move up in the draft.
That’s wishful thinking for all the other NFL teams that don’t have Tom Brady on their team. Could the rest of the NFL be right — or are they jealous?
Is Drew Brees really on the downward slope?
In 2014 Brees threw for 4,952 yards and was tied for first in the NFL for passing yards with Ben Roethlisberger. Oh yeah, that sounds like a quarterback who is definitely on the down-swing of his career. Seriously, who dreams this stuff up?
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Let’s clear something up for all those who live in a land where Drew Brees is on the trading block and Elvis Presley is still alive.
Drew Brees threw for the most yards in the NFL last year. He was 2nd only to Tony Romo in completion percentage with 69.2 completion rate while Tony Romo’s was 69.9. That’s only .2 off the lead, not too bad.
Brees’ quarterback rating was at 97.0% last year. He was twelfth in the league behind Brady; who was 11th place with 97.4. Not exactly sounding like the old war horse needs to be put out to pasture just yet.
Dec 26, 2011; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) dives across the goal line for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derek E. Hingle – USATODAY Sports
Still don’t believe me?
Since 2011, Drew Brees has been the top passer or 2nd best one in the league. He’s hard working and committed to the Saints organization.
Drew Brees is no more in decline than the NFL is profit wise. Furthermore, the effect he has on players is easy to spot and their usually never the same once they get away from him.
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Darren Sproles is a player that is electrifying to watch. In New Orleans, he was literally fire in a uniform. Once he got away from the Hall of Fame arm of Drew Brees, he hasn’t been the same player numbers-wise.
While Sproles was still amazing in Philadelphia and San Diego, he wasn’t churning up the yards like he did in New Orleans.
In three years in New Orleans, Darren gained 1,981 yards receiving, 1,067 yards rushing and a total of 21 touchdowns in New Orleans.
In Sproles’ five years in San Diego, he only out-rushed his total in New Orleans by 87 yards and surpassed his rushing touchdown total by 1.
In his only season with the Eagles, Sproles only had 6 total touchdowns, 387 yards receiving and 329 yards rushing. To say that Sproles experienced and uptick in his performance in New Orleans, is an understatement to say the least.
Sproles isn’t the only one who say his numbers jump in New Orleans. There is also the case of Robert Meachem who saw his number fall off once he sought greener pastures in San Diego.
Meachem averaged 567 yards and 6 touchdowns in his first four years in New Orleans. In 2012, his only year in a Chargers uniform Meachem only garnered 207 yards through the air and two touchdowns.
Those who say Brees doesn’t make those around him better don’t have a leg to stand on. I’d even go as far to say that what made Jimmy Graham so indispensable in New Orleans will drop off a bit in Seattle.
The proof is found in the numbers and it’s obvious there is no magic involved. What can be seen is that Brees is a future Hall of Fame quarterback and he makes everyone around him better.
Any thought or rumor that Drew Brees is in decline is purely made up.
Sept 25, 2011; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derek E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The wild speculation of him being traded or the Saints lying about using him as trade bait, are outlandish lies. Of course the rest of the league thinks or hope Payton and Loomis have lost their minds enough to trade a future first ballot Hall of Famer away.
They’re not and wouldn’t be allowed to because Tom Benson is still in charge, and not off his rocker yet.
The simply fact is this, Drew Brees remains a game changing quarterback. He still makes any team that he is on a playoff contender — and he’s not going anywhere…….