Drew Brees has been called a lot of things but, MVP hasn’t been one of them. Despite throwing for multiple 5, 000-yard seasons, with no less than 4,700 yards in any of the last 7, he has not been considered amongst the top three players in the game. Why?
The 2001 draft had Brees projected as a mid to late pick due to his perceived lack of arm strength due to his height. (6.0 is considered short for average QB) The San Diego Chargers, however, chose Brees as the first pick in the second round.
Off to a rocky start after 2003 season and the drafting of Phillip Rivers, Brees’ future was a little uncertain. 2004, however, brought a new lease on life for the career of Drew Brees. He played in 15 games, threw for 3,159 yds with 27 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions, and a passer rating of 104.8. He led the Chargers to win the AFC West, as well as being a representative for AFC in Probowl and the 2004 Comeback Player of the Year.
2005 was another breakout year for Brees, setting a career high in passing yards 3, 576 with a passer rating of 89.2 and ranked 10th overall in the league. Then there was Denver. In the last game of season Brees tried to recover his own fumble as safety John Lynch hit Brees knocking him to ground as tackle Gerard Warren hit him while he was on the ground, causing him to tear his labrum. Brees underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair. There was also a chance he may have also suffered rotator cuff damage.
After contract disputes with Chargers and offers of interest from Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints, Brees decided it was time to move on. Miami’s initial interest turned more to concern over Brees’ shoulder and they declined to offer him a contract. Nobody wants damaged goods. Then the New Orleans Saints newly appointed head coach, Sean Payton, invited him to New Orleans and the rest as we know is history or, better yet history in the making, as Brees signed a 6-year contract for $60 million in 2006.
Brees led his team to an NFC Championship game against the Chicago Bears, but numerous turnovers proved to be costly for the boys from New Orleans.
2007 Brought a record-breaking year for Brees, breaking Rich Gannon’s record of passes completed in a single season, Bress threw 4,423 yds and was Co-MVP player of the year.
2008 proved to be just as challenging for records, falling just 15 yards short of breaking Dan Marino’s record 5,084 yard passing record for a single season. However, Brees did pass for 5,069 a career high as well as being only the second QB in NFL history to hit 5,000 yds. He also tied Rich Gannon’s record for passing 300 yards 10 consecutive games. Brees was awarded Offensive Player of the Year.
2009 proved to be the best year of Brees’ career. Setting career and franchise records by tying record of 6 TD passes for opening week. By game 4 he had a passer rating of 156.8. Brees also became the first person to throw 5 TDs against Patriots coach Bill Belichick. He had a perfect passer rating which lead to many accolades like Pro Bowl select, Bert Bell award runner-up MVP for Offensive Player of the year and All-Pros as well as leading his team to first ever 13-0 start to the season. Although a disappointing loss to the Dallas Cowboys broke the win streak, they had secured their spot as #1 seed in in the NFC South. He finished the regular season completion percentage of 70.62 setting new NFL record. In the divisional playoffs the Saints beat the Arizona Cardinals 45-14 to advance to the NFC Championship, where they defeated the Minnesota Vikings in overtime 31-28. The underdog New Orleans Saints went on to win Superbowl XLIV by defeating the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010. Brees tied Superbowl record 32 pass completions winning MVP. Sports Illustrated named him Sportsman of the year , and he was also named Athlete of the year.
2010 brought a rash of injuries and a loss in the Wild Card round to Seattle. Let’s move on.
2011 however, proved to be a lot more productive. In a home game against the Detroit Lions Brees passed for 342 yards which gave him 4031 yards into the season becoming the first NFL quarterback in history to eclipse 4, 000 yards in first 12 games and the first to reach 4 consecutive seasons with 4, 000 yards and 30+ TD passes. In week 15 against Minnesota Vikings Brees threw for 412 yards with 5 TD passes becoming first QB in NFL history to throw 5 TDs and 400 yards with completion percentage of 80% for game. Week 16 December 26, 2011 at 10:35pm at home against the Atlanta Falcons, Brees broke Dan Marino’s 27-year old record by throwing a TD pass to Darren Sproles. Brees finished out the season on week 17 against the Carolina Panthers setting 6 NFL records with 468 completions for 5,476 passing yards, edging out Tom Brady. Brees averaged 342 yards per game breaking Dan Fouts record 320.
In 2012 Brees agreed to a 5-year, $100 million contract, the largest amount of guaranted money in NFL history; $60 million with $40 million paid out in first year. Week 4 against Green Bay Packers, Brees threw 30-yard TD pass to Marques Colston, tying Johnny Unitas’ 52-year old record of most consecutive game streak with at least 1 TD pass. Week 5 40-yard TD pass to Devery Henderson against the San Diego Chargers was his 48th consecutive game with at least 1 TD pass breaking Johnny Unitas’ record. Week 13 saw the end of that streak against Atlanta posting 0 TDs leaving record at 54.
Even after numerous record breaking seasons, posting phenomenonal numbers regularly, if you look at top 5 QBs in the NFL lists, Brees is ranked 4 and 5 in nearly every one. Don’t worry Brees, you’ll always be ranked #1 in my book.
So as I close there is a song that I have personally dubbed the Saints soundtrack for gameday. Kayne West’s “Amazing”. The first verse is so fitting, I just have to share:
It’s Amazing. I’m the reason everybody’s fired up this evening (season my edited part) I’m exhausted, barely breathing holding on to what I believe in and no matter what you’ll never take that from me. My reign is as far as your eyes can see, its amazing, so amazing its amazing.
Who Dat? We Dat!
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Main photo credit: modenadude via photopin cc
