“Respect The Game”

Drew Christopher Brees. I remember his days in college as the quarterback of the Purdue Boilmakers. He became an integral part of offensive coordinator Jim Chaney’s “basketball on grass” spread offense. In his collegiate career, he finished with 90 touchdown passes. He was drafted in 2001 by the then-San Diego Chargers. His success in college lead to assumptions that he would be a first-round pick. His stock dropped because of his short stature and a perceived lack of arm strength. He was selected with the 32nd overall pick in the first round. It was a rough start in San Diego for number nine. He reached his peak in 2004 when he helped lead the Chargers to a division title along with a 12-4 record. 2005 was a crucial year for him. He was basically playing for a new contract. I’ll always remember December 31st, 2005. He was getting set to throw the football then he injured his arm. It ended up being a torn rotator cuff. Months later, the New Orleans Saints took a chance on him signing him to a free agent contract in 2006. Last night against the Indianapolis Colts, he surpassed Peyton Manning by becoming the all-time leader in touchdown passes.

Whenever I think of Drew’s game, I immediately think of how accurate he is as a passer. He knows how to find his intended receiver in such stride that when he sets up to throw it, you automatically know his guy will make the catch. Talk about trusting in your quarterback, the Saints have that. The one thing he never receives much credit for is his football IQ. He’s a very intellectual football player with a feel for the game. I remember Jon Gruden referring to Drew as the “Peyton Manning of the NFC”. That’s an accurate comparison. He’s been in the league for so many years so of course he’s seen his share of defensive looks. Watching him for so many years, I’ve seen him perfect his craft in so many ways. That’s what I admire about the greats. Even when they’ve done it for so long at a high level, they always want to stay playing at that level. When it comes to tricking a defense, Drew has been one of the best. He does a terrific job at making a defense think he’s going one way then he goes to someone else. He’ll sell it as if he’s throwing it to Alvin Kamara or Michael Thomas and he’ll get it to anyone else that’s open. It’s safe to say he knows how to keep a defense on its toes. He’s also great at spreading the football around to the open receiver. It doesn’t matter who you are. If you’re open, you’re getting a look down the field. He’s an unstoppable force that continues to get the job done at the age of 40! Drew was an MVP candidate in 2018. I really thought he was going to add an MVP trophy to his resume, but it didn’t happen.

The game last night against the Colts showed how great he truly is. Listen to this stat line. He finished with 29 completions out of 30 pass attempts, he threw for 307 yards passing and finished the game with four touchdown passes. This man had one incompletion in the entire game! That’s a completion percentage of 96 percent. He’s by far one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play this game. What he’s been able to do at his size is what’s set him apart. He’s little standing only at six feet tall. His footwork is what’s allowed him to be successful in his career. His accolades speak for themselves. Drew is a 13-time pro bowler, he’s set every passing record known to man in the history of the NFL and he’s a Super Bowl champion helping the Saints win their first Super Bowl in franchise history with a win over the Indianapolis Colts to cap off a magical season in 2009. Get his gold jacket ready the minute he decides to call it a career. He will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when it’s all said and done. Congratulations Drew on this accomplishment.