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Drew Brees' legacy

Date: January 21, 2021

By: Ryan Henry

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Drew Brees and Tom Brady are seen standing on the field of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome hours after their highly anticipated playoff matchup. Even though they were rivals on the field, it was evident how much respect they had for one another. Both players stand atop the all-time passing records and their spots are already reserved in Canton.

 

For Brady, he and his team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, advanced to face Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. But for Brees, this was probably his last game in the NFL, and he leaves behind a legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and the face of a New Orleans Saints franchise that was irrelevant before his arrival.

At six-foot flat and coming off an ACL tear, Brees did not get the attention from big colleges in high school. As a result, Brees committed to Purdue University and established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. After a freshman season where he saw limited reps, Brees became the full-time starter for the Boilermakers in his sophomore season. In his three years as a starter, Brees threw for over 11,000 yards and 90 touchdowns, placing top-five in the Heisman Trophy voting twice.

 

Despite his decorated college career, many NFL scouts were wary of his size at the pro level so Brees fell in the second round to the San Diego Chargers, who paired him with current Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson.

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In his time in San Diego, Brees showed flashes of the quarterback he would become in New Orleans, but it was never there consistently. His best year with the Chargers, 2004, Brees led them to a 12-4 record, earning his first Pro Bowl nod with 3,159 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. But after his 2004 campaign, Brees would regress in 2005, capping off the year by dislocating his throwing shoulder in an injury that was described as “1 in 500.”

 

Many people, including Brees himself, thought he would never play a significant down in the NFL again. Worst of all, he injured himself in a contract year. The Chargers didn’t want to take that risk resigning Brees especially since they spent a first-round draft pick on quarterback Philip Rivers two years ago, so the Chargers let Brees go. Brees would leave San Diego and go on to sign with the New Orleans Saints that offseason.

To put into perspective how bad the Saints and city of New Orleans was at this time, Hurricane Katrina has just ravaged the city just six months before Brees’ signing. It left many people hopeless as businesses and homes were destroyed. The Superdome, the Saints’ stadium, was used as a last resort shelter for those who couldn’t leave in time. It was one of the most infamous storms in the nation’s history. Through the Brees Foundation, Brees and his family helped rebuild schools, athletic facilities and parks destroyed by the storm.

 

As for the Saints, they were considered the doormat of the NFL. In their almost 40-year history prior to signing Brees, they made the playoffs five times and won only a single playoff game. They only had three players in the Hall of Fame who played a majority of their career/were in their prime for the Saints.

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Chris Tilley/AP

For a team coming off a 3-13 season without much hope or legacy to hold onto, it was a perfect match for both the Saints and Brees. In Brees’ first year with the Saints, he would experience his best season of his career thus far, leading the league in passing yards at 4,418 and earning a First Team All-Pro Selection. He earned his first playoff win against the Philadelphia Eagles that season and led the Saints to their first conference championship in franchise history.

 

After a couple of years of statistical dominance but no playoff appearances, Brees would lead the Saints to a franchise-best 13-3 in 2009. He placed second in the MVP voting, posting a league-high 70.6 completion percentage and 34 passing touchdowns to go along with over 4,300 yards.

 

In the 2009 playoffs, Brees would lead the Saints to their first ever Super Bowl appearance and victory, beating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17. Brees would take home Super Bowl MVP as he threw for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns with an 82-completion percentage in the victory.

For the next seven years, the Saints would only win one playoff game with Brees at the helm. Brees was still statistically dominant, as he had multiple seasons leading the league in completion percentage, touchdowns and passing yards. Most NFL fans point to the Saints lackluster defenses during this time period, as they had a bottom-ten defense for five of those seasons.

 

After three straight 7-9 seasons, the Saints in 2017 retooled their roster and won the NFC South with a record of 11-5. Brees had another great season, throwing for over 4,300 yards and broke the NFL record with a 72-completion percentage. Their defense improved from 31st to 10th in points allowed-per-game, and this season was the Saints best chance to make the Super Bowl again. But as safety Marcus Williams missed a tackle on Minnesota Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs in the closing seconds, the Saints would lose at home to the Vikings in what is now referred to as “The Minneapolis Miracle.”

The Saints were once again elite in 2018, having the league’s best record at 13-3 with home field advantage throughout the entire playoffs. Brees was amazing once again, setting an NFL-record 74.4-completion percentage with a TD/INT ratio of 32-5. He broke Peyton Manning’s record for most passing yards all-time.

 

The Saints beat the Eagles in the divisional round and would face the Rams in the conference championship. The game was tied 20-20 with under two minutes, Brees passed the ball to receiver Tommylee Lewis, who got blindside in the head by Nickell Robey-Coleman without a penalty being called. The Saints would settle for a field goal the next play, and after Brees threw a pick in overtime, the Rams, not the Saints, would make it to the Super Bowl.

In 2019 and 2020, the Saints were still an elite team, but Brees’ body started to break down. In 2019, he would suffer a thumb injury that would sideline him for five games and this year, he broke multiple ribs resulting in a four-game absence. He wasn’t the gunslinger he was in years past, checking down the ball to receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara.

 

This regression showed in both playoffs, as Bree’s was outclassed by Tom Brady and Kirk Cousins. If Brees did play his final snap last Sunday, he would have a very decorated career. He earned thirteen Pro Bowl selections, one First Team All-Pro selection, two Offensive Player of the Year Awards, a Super Bowl ring, and a Super Bowl MVP. He is first all-time in passing yards with 80,358, second in passing touchdowns with 571, and has the single season record for completion percentage in a season with 74.4 percent. In his fifteen years with the Saints, he brought a once mediocre franchise to life and became the face of New Orleans Saints football.

Ryan Henry can be reached at ryan.henry@student.shu.edu.

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