Drew Brees

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Drew Brees: Saints need strong start to games! (NOLA.com - Video)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees says he's not worried about the team not putting up points on first drives right away, that will come.

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Drew Brees' "Helmet to Helmet" Spearing from Kareem Jackson may have set Fire to a Cool Brees!

Drew Brees lost his Cool!  After Kareem Jackson launched himself toward Brees as he was down on the Superdome turf, he did not understand what was to come of him and the Texans.  Brees reacted in a demonstrative fashion to the refs, next he starting jarring with Jackson. No penalty was called on the play.  However, on the fourth quarter drives, Brees and Lance Moore (WR) decided to focus on the Texans weakest defense link, Kareem Jackson. Eventually, Moore caught a 16 yd. touchdown from Brees and two 2 pt. conversions.  Mostly over Kareem Jackson in defense.

Sean Payton said Drew Brees called all of the plays at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter when the club went to the hurry-up O.  I wonder why?  Brees guided the Saints to the winning score in 8 plays for 93 yards in 1:31 minutes.  He was determined to win.

The Texans should thank Jackson for his "careless" play.  It could have well been the catalyst for Brees and the Saints.  I wonder if the league will fine Jackson.  It will only add insult to injury for the cornerback's lack of good judgment.  He's been under fire from Houston fans ever since being drafted #1 out of Alabama.  Better luck next time Mr. Jackson.  

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Drew Brees leads epic fourth-quarter comeback for New Orleans Saints

  You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger and you don't mess around with Drew Brees.  Not in his house.  Not with his good buddy on the sideline.  And not on the five-year anniversary of one of the most important wins in Saints history.   The Texans messed with Brees on Sunday and didn't live to tell about it.   They returned to the Lone Star State beaten and wiser, having learned a valuable gridiron lesson: When you're fortunate enough to have the Saints and Brees down, the last thing you want to do is kick him. Or in Kareem Jackson's case, spear him in the back.   It won't show up in the stat sheet, but Jackson's ill-timed spearing of Brees late in the third quarter was the most important play in a game of head-spinning, scoreboard-reeling action.   When Jackson speared the crown of his helmet into Brees at the end of a short scramble, the Texans led by two points and were in control. They eventually would extend the margin to nine. But for all intents and purposes, they were toast.   After getting ear-holed, the prodigious fire in Brees' belly went from white hot to incendiary. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns en route to an exhilarating come-from-behind 40-33 victory. Oh, and did I mention he threw in a pair of successful two-point conversion passes for good measure? Or that he did it all in a little more than a quarter of work?   "Drew can get after it," Saints linebacker Jonathan Casillas said. "He's one of the most intense guys I know. I think he really started to show it after that play."   Afterward, Brees downplayed the hit, calling it a legal tackle and dismissing the notion that it was a dirty shot. He wasn't so diplomatic on the field. Immediately after the play, he bolted to his feet and got in the face of the second-year cornerback. It was an uncharacteristic display of emotion from the normally even-keeled QB.   From then on, Brees was on a mission. He riddled the overmatched Texans defense for three touchdowns in a jaw-dropping fourth quarter and notched one of the most memorable and emotional comebacks in club history. His only hiccup was an unfortunate interception in which tight end Jimmy Graham zigged when he should have zagged. Otherwise, Brees was masterful. Operating primarily out of the shotgun and for much of the time out of the hurry-up offense, he drove the Saints to touchdowns on three consecutive drives. In one frantic stretch, Brees threw passes on 15 consecutive plays. From the 13:48 mark to the 2:47 mark of the fourth quarter, he dropped back to pass on 20 of 22 plays. "It looked like to me that they just put the game in Drew's hands," Texans Coach Gary Kubiak said. "They spread the field and let him go to work." Brees' final numbers were staggering: 31 of 44 for 370 yards and three touchdowns. His passer efficiency rating, which at one time hovered around 60, fell just shy of 100, at 99.6. It was the stuff of legends. And it earned a place in the record book. The 23-point fourth quarter was the most prolific in club history. "We went up and down the field and really cashed in on some plays," Brees said. "We were just competing. Both sides wanted to win that game very badly." Indeed, it wasn't like the Saints (2-1) needed any extra incentive to win. Not on the five-year anniversary of the famed Dome-coming game in 2006. And not after beloved former team captains, Steve Gleason and Deuce McAllister, delivered impassioned speeches to the team on the eve of the game. But Jackson unwittingly -- or unwisely, depending on your perspective -- provided the extra boost of juice they needed to overcome a slew of adversity. The Saints fell behind 10-0 in the first quarter and lost four key players to injuries: center Olin Kreutz, right tackle Zach Strief, and linebackers Martez Wilson and Will Herring. At one point in the third quarter, the Saints were down to five healthy offensive linemen and three healthy linebackers. Tight end John Gilmore was one snap away from playing tackle. Fullback Korey Hall was one snap away from playing linebacker. The Saints were so desperate for linemen Kreutz actually returned to the game and blocked on the wing for an extra point. He was later replaced by defensive end Turk McBride. "We didn't make excuses," said linebacker Scott Shanle, who was forced him into duty at strong-side linebacker even though he hadn't taken a snap there all season. "We found a way to win." The Saints presented game balls to Gleason and McAllister. And Payton and Brees choked back tears when talking about the emotional victory. In a post-game tweet, punter Thomas Morstead called it "the most special game I have ever been a part of in my life." "We've had a lot of emotions in the last 24 hours," Brees said. "... If you do things the right way, good things happen." And conversely if you do things the wrong way, bad things happen. Jackson and the Texans (2-1) learned that lesson the hard way Sunday. It's always best to let sleeping future Hall of Fame quarterbacks lie. Jeff Duncan can be reached at [email protected] or 504.826.3404.

Click to read the original Saints article by New Orleans Saints Central

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New Orleans Saints: 8 Most Bizarre Moments in Franchise History

When you award a sports franchise to a city that has drive-thru Daiquiri shops, you're asking for an exciting ride. And believe me, I know my fair share of pain having been a New Orleans Saints fan all my life. The story of our history is not one for the faint of heart.

The Saints came into the league in 1966 as an expansion team, and quickly got accustomed to losing. There's no fairy tale about things 40 years in the making—the Saints simply went from year to year redefining what it meant to suck.

Through bad luck, worse management and a cast of characters ranging from thieves to dogs, the 'Aints, as we were known, personified hilarity and comedic genius—to the rest of the NFL. To us, they were a good reason to avoid church, but without all that hope and inspiration nonsense.

To the now-worldwide Who Dat Nation, having had to endure some of the worst in order to finally celebrate sweet victory as a true fan, this is a tribute to some of the most confusing moments in Saints history.

Call it collective group therapy, as you shed the monster within and continue to redefine yourselves as one of the best teams in football.

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Lance Moore Injury: Why Drew Brees Is a Terrific Fantasy Football Starter

Good news today for Lance Moore owners: The Saints wide receiver is active for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While re-injuring his groin during the game is a possibility, he's a good start against Tampa, especially with Marques Colston out.

Owners of Drew Brees can breathe a sigh of relief as well—though to be honest, you don't have anything to worry about.

Drew Brees is never a worry because he can turn just about anyone into a viable target.

The Saints have no end to decent receivers for him to utilize. If Colston is out, Moore can step up; if Moore gets hurt, Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson or even Adrian Arrington (sleeper alert, by the way) can produce.

It's not that all these receivers are great.

It's Drew Brees.

Sure, Brees has his off games, but like so many truly elite quarterbacks—Tom Brady in particular—it's about him, not them.

Brees has thrown for at least 4,000 yards for five years in a row and he's thrown for more than 30 touchdowns for the last three seasons. He's done it with a group of wide receivers who get banged up easily (Moore and Colston), are streaky and inconsistent (Henderson) or often underperform their ability (Meachem).

Yet he never misses a beat. Brees can use any wideout, toss it to Pierre Thomas or Mark Ingram in the backfield or find breakout tight end Jimmy Graham for a score.

The fact is, Brees has reached a level where a change at a position isn't a big deal. Why do you think the Saints never go after free-agent wide receivers when their one stud (Colston) is frequently hurt and the rest of their group is okay, but not great?

It's because Brees doesn't need them to be great. He's great.

So when you see another Saint receiver go down, don't even blink.

Just lean back and enjoy the cool Brees.

 

Andrew Garda is a staff writer at Footballguys.com.

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Drew Brees: Saints Quarterback Deserves Nothing Less Than Top Dollar

Given all he's accomplished since signing with the team in 2006, it's hard to imagine Drew Brees not being a member of the New Orleans Saints.

But at the very least, that is a possibility. The six-year, $60 million contract Brees signed in 2006 is up this year and hammering out an extension is proving to be difficult.

On Wednesday, though, Brees himself said that he is not about to let his contract status become a distraction.

"I'm trying to compartmentalize it the best that I can," Brees said, per ESPN. "That's why I hired my agent. They all have a job to do. I'm hoping it will be done sooner rather than later, but for me really it's about focusing on winning games and trying for it to not be a distraction."

They call this "saying all the right things." And as you can tell, Brees is quite good at it.

He better hope his agent is too. The word is that Tom Condon, Brees's esteemed agent, was in New Orleans this week to discuss his contract with Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. Per the same ESPN article, Condon said the two had "a substantial talk."

Presumably, Brees is looking for a significant increase on the $10 million he made on average per year in his first contract with the team. Surely an elite quarterback like him—and Brees is elite—deserves as much as twice as what he's been making.

In other words, he deserves to be paid like an elite NFL quarterback. And there are a number of contracts that he can cite to make his case.

For example, New England's Tom Brady signed a four-year extension last season that is paying him an average salary of $18 million per year. Before his season was derailed by a second neck surgery, Indianapolis' Peyton Manning signed a deal that will also pay him an average of $18 million per year. And very recently, Philadelphia's Michael Vick signed a six-year contract worth $100 million (though Pro Football Talk eventually noted that it's actually for five years and $80 million, but who's counting?).

Make no mistake, this is an upper echelon in which Brees belongs. He's been one of the most productive passers in the league ever since he first set foot in New Orleans. At this juncture, Brees is pretty much a lock for 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. Few quarterbacks in the league are.

Oh, by the way, he also has a Super Bowl MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors under his belt.

Clearly, we're talking about a guy who is worth as much as Sirs Brady, Manning and Vick. Perhaps even more so, which you have to assume is what Brees' camp is trying to get.

Will Brees get a new deal like that, something that would likely pay him upwards of $20 million per year? My first impulse is to say no, as surely the Saints would prefer not to go over the Brady/Manning threshold.

But if they do end up caving in, it will be money well spent. They'll be getting one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL for a few more years. And at the age of just 32, they'll be getting a quarterback in Brees who still has plenty of good years left in him.

It'll get done, New Orleans. It's just a matter of time.

But keep your fingers crossed.

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NFL Predictions: Bears at Saints Picks and Betting Odds

If any team has a more difficult three-game opening stretch than the Chicago Bears, I’d sure like to hear that argument. After facing an Atlanta team that led the NFC in wins last season, things get more difficult this week as the Bears travel to New Orleans, another double-digit win playoff club a year ago, in the Saints’ home opener. And then next week the Bears host Super Bowl Champion Green Bay.

Chicago was getting no respect heading into its opener–the Bears were on most books even behind the Lions to win the NFC North again and as three-point home favorites to Atlanta. But Chicago dominated in a 30-12 win. Yes, Atlanta slightly out gained the Bears, but the Falcons had three turnovers to Chicago’s one. The Bears QB Jay Cutler, in his first home game since the controversial injury in the NFC title game, was very good in going 22-for-32 for 312 yards, two TDs and just one pick. The Chicago coaching staff will take those numbers every Sunday.

The Saints, meanwhile, played in an instant classic against the Packers in the Thursday night opener, losing 42-34 despite Drew Brees essentially being perfect in throwing for 419 yards and three touchdowns. Except, the Saints had trouble in short-yardage situations (not to mention on slowing Aaron Rodgers) against the Green Bay defense all night, culminating in Mark Ingram being stopped at the goal line on the game’s final play. It’s still hard to believe coach Sean Payton didn't put the ball in Brees’ hands to possibly tie that game. The NFC South was 0-4 in Week 1, by the way. 

 

Bears at Saints Betting Story lines

Before putting a bet down here, definitely monitor the situation of Bears All-Pro linebacker Brian Urlacher. He apparently rushed out of town Tuesday to attend to a family emergency in Arizona involving his mother. Recent reports state she has passed away. Urlacher is expected to be away from the Bears for several days and his status for Sunday’s game against the Saints is unclear. No. 54 was a beast against the Falcons. Urlacher scored a touchdown on a fumble return and intercepted a Matt Ryan pass and he had 10 tackles.

The only other likely significant player news on Chicago is that right guard Lance Louis is expected out after hurting his ankle in the opener. That Chicago line is already a question mark after Cutler was sacked an NFL-leading 55 times last year, and went down four more times vs. Atlanta. Backup RB Marion Barber missed the opener, but should be back for New Orleans. WR Roy Williams strained his groin in the opener but also seems likely to play.

As for the Saints, they didn't have WR Lance Moore or defensive end Will Allen for the opener. Moore remains "iffy" with a groin injury and Allen, the team’s best pass rusher, will miss a second game due to suspension. The big injury during the Packer game was to WR Marques Colston. He broke his collarbone vs. Green Bay and is out at least a month. Colston had six receptions for 81 yards against the Packers. He is the Saints’ top receiver and a favorite target of Brees on third downs and in the red zone. Colston had 84 receptions for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

The Saints do have some solid receiver depth, but not having either Colston or Moore would definitely be a big blow—especially because the weak link of the Chicago defense is the secondary. Devery Henderson (100 yards in opener) and Robert Mechem would see increased roles in the passing game, as would tight end Jimmy Graham and running back Darren Sproles, who was terrific in his first game as a Saint vs. Green Bay.

The Bears have beaten the Saints in the past four meetings, but those were all in Chicago. New Orleans is 4-2 all time against Chicago in the Superdome. This marks the first game that long-time Bears Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz, a former leader in that Chicago locker room, faces his former team after he and the Bears couldn't agree on a contract. 

 

Bears at Saints Betting Odds and Trends

New Orleans is currently a seven-point favorite with the total at 47, according to NFL odds. About a 60 percent lean is on the Saints.

The Bears are 4-0 ATS in their last four games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game. They are 5-1 ATS in their past six September games.

Saints are 1-4 ATS in their past five as a favorite.

The "over" is 7-2 in Chicago’s past nine games. And here’s a weird one: The ‘over’ is 10-1 in Saints’ past 11 Week 2 games. The ‘over’ is 4-0 in the past four meetings.

 

NFL Picks: Bears at Saints Betting Predictions

I don’t see how the Bears are not picked apart by Brees with Chicago sitting in that Tampa-2 defense. But if Moore is also out for sure, that is a huge break for the Bears. I do believe Urlacher makes that much of a difference. The Saints will win this game regardless. But if Urlacher plays, Chicago can cover (or at least push). If he does not, the Bears won’t. Also, take the "over" with the score somewhere in the 28-24 range.

Have look on our home page for current NFL odds, game previews, betting tips and picks: Doc’s Sports

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Drew Brees Fantapper Video Chat

Drew Brees chats with fans via Fantapper. Read more

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New Orleans Saints Week 1 Review: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Every week during the season, I'll post a summary of the latest Saints' game, complete with key stats and a "Good, Bad and Ugly" performance review.

Final Score: Packers 42, Saints 34
Record: 0-1
Complete Box Score

Yards Gained: 477
Yards Allowed: 399
Yards/rush: 3.9
Yards/rush allowed: 3.8

Turnover Differential: -1   [+0, -1], (-1)*
1st-Down Differential: +1   [+25, -24]
Sack Differential: -1   [+2, -3], (-1)
Time of Possession Differential: -5:48

3rd-Down Conversion: 64.3 percent, 9/14   (64.3%)
Opponent's 3rd-Down Conversion: 67 percent, 8/12   (67%)

*numbers in brackets [ ] represent game totals; numbers in parentheses ( ) represent Saints' season totals.

The Good

* Darren Sproles made an immediate, significant contribution in his Saints' debut. His performance was stand out and could not have been more impressive. Without Sproles, the Saints likely would have lost by 20+ points. Sproles logged 32 offensive snaps, compared to 26 for Pierre Thomas and 19 for Mark Ingram.

In the first quarter, Sproles caught a key pass on 3rd and 6 for a 36-yard gain that led to the Saints' first TD of the season, which cut the lead to 14-7. 

Sproles then returned a punt 72 yards for a TD; returned a kickoff 57 yards that led to a TD, which cut the lead to 35-27; drew a pass-interference penalty on the game's penultimate play, which gave the Saints a chance to tie the game; totaled 7 catches for 75 yards; and amassed an absurd 250 all-purpose yards on 13 touches (19.2 yards/touch).

What a performance.

* Devery Henderson had one of his more impressive games in recent memory. Stepping up for both Lance Moore, who missed the game with an injury, and Marques Colston, who was seemingly rusty after a less-than-active preseason, Henderson caught on 6 passes for 100 yards and a TD. What's more is that Henderson quieted the idle offseason chatter that he was destined to be a cap casualty.

Henderson's TD came during a key stretch in the third quarter when the Saints found themselves trailing by 15 points. Henderson beat his man down the left flank, then deftly managed the sideline for a sweet 29-yard TD.

* Drew Brees quietly produced a phenomenal game, totaling 419 yards, 3 TDs, 0 turnovers, a 65 percent completion rate, and a 112.5 rating. More importantly, Brees' composure, poise, calm and steady leadership kept the Saints in the game despite trailing by 14 points in the first quarter and 15 points in the fourth quarter.

* The Spirit of Resiliency is a defining trait of the Payton era. Despite the poor defense, the special teams' lapse, the red zone impotence and a killer fumble in the first quarter, the Saints still had an opportunity to tie the score on the game's last play—on the road against the defending champs.

This is not a team easily discouraged, and the Saints will be a team to reckon with in the postseason.

 

The Bad

* The defense perhaps shouldn't be judged so harshly in light of the fact that this was the first game of the season against one of the league's deadliest offenses.

Regardless, the tackling continued to remain suspect, and the pass defense was poor. Even though Aaron Rodgers threw several passes that were essentially indefensible, Saints' defensive backs—notably Patrick Robinson and Roman Harper—seemed to be either out of position or slow to react.

Harper in particular remains a noticeable liability in pass coverage, and offensive coordinators league-wide will seek to exploit this well-publicized flaw.

If Gregg Williams doesn't make the necessary adjustments, this is an issue that will haunt the Saints all season long.

* The line play was perhaps the most unexpected reality to emerge from this game. With consideration to the Saints All-Pro interior offensive line and the offseason acquisitions of defensive stalwarts Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin, both the offensive and defensive lines were outplayed for the much of the game.

Drew Brees faced a constant barrage of pressure, and Packers' nose tackle B.J. Raji consistently outmanned the Saints' interior line.

The Saints' defensive line continued its unwanted trend of producing minimal pressure, and Shaun Rogers was a non-factor.

Most disappointingly, on the game's final play, the Packers' defensive line won the game's most essential battle, stuffing Mark Ingram on the goal line as the Saints attempted to tie the game. 

 

The Ugly

* The Saints' red-zone offense was, in a word, putrid. In total, the Saints converted five red-zone opportunities into 13 points. By contrast, the Packers converted four red-zone opportunities into 28 points. If you're looking for the defining statistical benchmark of the game, this is it. 

More specifically, and disturbingly, the Saints reached the Packers' 7-yard line in the third quarter only to see Brees take a 13-yard sack on 3rd and 2. The Saints settled for a 38-yard FG. 

Not much later, with six minutes remaining in the third quarter and again from the Packers' 7-yard line, the Saints (trailing 35-27) were stuffed on 3rd and 1. Brees then threw an incompletion on 4th and 1.

The Packers took the change of possession and drove 93 yards for a TD.  This was the key sequence in the game.

Finally, with an opportunity to tie the score at the end of the game, the Saints were stuffed on the goal line on the game's last play.

After five seasons, short-yardage, red-zone conversions continue to befuddle Sean Payton and the offense. On Thursday night, the disparity in red-zone efficiency swung the outcome in the Packers' favor.

* Marques Colston's broken collarbone was the worst news to emerge from the aftermath of the game. While making a critical, 23-yard diving reception on the game's last drive, Colston landed on his right shoulder and fractured his clavicle. Colston will miss a minimum of four games. 

With the health status of Lance Moore yet to be determined, the loss of Colston might be amplified. When Colston missed five games in 2008 with a wrist injury, the Saints went 1-4.

 

Worth Repeating

“The tough part is no matter who you play, you look at the won-loss record and we’re 0-1 right now. That leaves a bad taste in your mouth."—Drew Brees

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Gregg Williams and the New Orleans Saints Should Be Completely Embarrassed

For most people watching the game last night against the Green Bay Packers, it probably seemed like a great effort was put forth by both teams on the field. However, for someone who watches the Saints religiously, it was anything but.

There were many mistakes made on the field (mainly on defense) that have to be cleaned up immediately, or we're going to be watching the Saints lose more games like this one during the season. Here are just a few things that need to be cleaned up in the very near future if the Saints have any hopes of returning to the feared team they were in 2009.

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Click to read the original Saints article by Bleacher Report - New Orleans Saints