Terrified!
 

http://www.nfl.com/features/meetingblog
I cannot think of anything more terrifying that reaching ther pre-season and finding out Drew Brees won't be throwing well enough to start for us. We cannot afford his $12 million price tag for next year, so what does that mean? We pay $10 million for a guy who won't play at all, and then have to trade/release him when he's healthy? And this after we pass on a franchise QB?

I'm nervous, plain and simple. I know the Brees of last year is a good-to-great QB, but is that who we got? Are we paying $10 million for that guy or for broken-Brees?

RE: Terrified!
 

Hey Frenzy. I don't think there is a person in these forums thst isn't nervous about Brees' situation. But c'mon....we gotta try and we gotta be optimistic. Unfortunately...this is football where absolutely nothing is gauranteed. Remember Shuler? The golden boy out of Tennessee? Healthy as an ox...stunk up the joint. How about Hobert? Tons of charisma and leadership.....injured and ended it. Bottom line....in this league taking gambles are common place. I know the price tag is biting you too but...I guess all I can tell you Frenzy is.....lets be optimistic about this. Besides....if he does come back in great shape then whats gonna happen. I'll tell you. I will announce my arrival to the Big Easy and make sure all of us meet at O'Briens....and get so hammered from post-season success. :cheers: :beer: :dead:

RE: Terrified!
 

If he comes out healthy, he will have a kick ass year, if he doesn't well, we still cant do worse than last year. Either way we are moving in the right direction.

RE: Terrified!
 

Saintbuck... is it Halloween???

Re: RE: Terrified!
 

Let me ask the question; why weren't the Chargers or the Dolphins willing to pay the guaranteed $10 million Brees was asking for? Were they simply not optimistic? Were they just "glass-half-empty" types who could not see the "gem" our front office saw?

Here's another; the Chargers offered Brees $10 million for this year, but only if he took 75% of the starting snaps. Why wasn't Brees "optimistic" about that deal? What is he afraid of, and why are WE afraid of the same thing?

It seems a stretch to get rid of a pro-bowl QB for an unproven one, but that's what SD did. River might be good and the Chargers have seen him in practice for the last two years, so maybe he might look very good. Still, a pro-bowler for a guy whose never started? I have to keep asking myself, "What do the Chargers know that we don't?"

The Dolphins, after they executed the trade for Culpepper, alleged that Brees' shoulder was the primary factor in their decision to stop pursuing him. Was that sour grapes? If so, why is Shottenheimer saying the same thing at the owners' meeting?

Optimism is one thing, but the longer this goes on and the more people who are saying the same thing - it doesn't feel like optimism, but rather foolishness, to keep thinking it will work out the way we hope.

First Frenzy, you have every right to be concerned, but let me get you to look at this another way. Who are the people saying these things about Brees.

1. In this article, AJ Smith, Chargers GM. Now, Smith has not been enamored with Brees for a while, hence the drafting of Rivers. And rightfully so, Brees was stinking. But even when Brees showed he was a pro bowl QB, Smith wouldn't trade Rivers. He stuck with him, cause Rivers was his pick, and his guy. The injury is the ONLY way he can justify letting Brees walk for nothing, and handing the reins to Rivers. Also, there is a LARGE contingent of Chargers fans who are absolutely LIVID Brees got to walk, and for nothing, even with the shoulder injury. So what is Smith gonna say to save face? We couldn't afford him? No. He is gonna say we had a better option, and the injury scared us off.

2. The dolphins. IMO, they're just dealing with sour grapes. Brees would not come down on his demand from them, so they go for Culpepper, and spin this whole fully blown out knee for a QB who relies on his mobility is better than a shoulder injury garbage. Once they said that, you knew it was crap. It was all about money, but again, you have to save face,

3. Brees' doctor. One of the most respected sports injury surgeons in the country. Has put his name on the line to not only say Brees will make a full recovery, but that he is ahead of schedule. Why would he do that if it weren't true? Is Brees gonna give him 5 of his 10 mil?

When you hear these stories, you have to take into account if these people making these statements have an axe to grind or an agenda to push. Both the Dolphins and Chragers do. Brees' doctor doesn't. His rep is on the line. I think Brees will be fine. Until his doctor says something different, I wouldn't worry TOO much. A little, yes.

That almost brought tears to my eyes whodi.....great job. <sniff sniff> :crying:

Come on its plain to see why Brees would be nervous about trusting Marty. Sure he could've signed the deal to guarantee 10 million if he took 75% of the snaps, but can he trust marty and their FO to let him take those snaps. Marty being the one who played his starting QB in a meaninless game to try and trigger an incentive clause in HIS contract. If he's willing to do that and (and thats the reason the saints have brees now) He would definately be willing to make sure Drew did not take 75% of the snaps. Play rivers early to ease Brees back in, take him out of big wins or blowouts to "protect him" thats what would have happened had he re-signed in SD. As for Miami, they have other needs besides qb. They didn't want to invest all their cap space with Brees. In the end theirs was a business decision not about the injury, but about the $$$ Are the Saints taking a gamble, Heck yeah, but I'll take the odds with Brees.

All good points, and compelling arguments. It's fair to say that many people are speaking well of Brees and his recovery, sports writers and his doctor included. It's equally fair to say that there are many who are taking the other side of the argument.

I usually don't attribute sinister agendas to either side, since in truth none of them have any real reason for one. Perhaps its simply a matter of differing opinions. I personally believe that its a risk to bank on Drew Brees' full recovery in time for this season. I believe that its a good risk for the right price, and a bad risk if you pay too much. I think we paid too much considering the risk - but I'll be overjoyed to eat that crow with seconds if I am wrong.

Whodi I agree in principle with your media interpretation and the Spin surrounding the teams involved. I do ask myself why where the Saints and Fins really the only two teams to take a serious look at Brees, with so many other teams around the league in need af a Pro Bowl QB....

And while the surgeon that performed the surgery is well respected I don't recall him stating that he will make a full recovery and be able to start the season, only that Brees is ahead of schedule (read between the lines, stretching of the repaired area, learning how to lift the arm again, lackof infection) he expects him to make a full recovery (read no time table and "expects", not I stake my career on his recovery.

While I hope that he does fully recover by the start of the season I can't help but look at what happens to the body after the injury and the lack of Physical activity that leads to the atrophy of both the sholder and arm.

While I expect his surgeon did a great job in the repair and that Physical therapy is expect to go well, I can't help but think back to another well respected surgeon that fixed good old Chases's acl and his other patient Barry Bonds. While Bonds was expected to make a full recovery that was delayed first by infection and then by a year so I will remain skeptical but hopefull.