TheDeuce

Over the past few weeks I've been noticing a disturbing trend: a remarkable amount of Drew Brees bashing. People seem to be writing this guy off already as a guy who's not going to be able to reach "greatness." Before you make a list of 13 reasons why we're going to lose, and list Brees as the reason for about 8 of them, remember a few things:

1. Brees is probably still trying to get back to 100% from a rotator cuff tear. That's a serious injury that not many people can ever recover from. He's also done it faster than most doctors thought possible, which IMO is a testament to his will and his work ethic. Remember also that because of the injury, he couldn't get as much work in with his receivers during the mini camps as he would have liked to. Also, think about the psychological effects that he's battling through, trying to feel comfortable enough behind that line to put it completely out of his head.

2. Brees is on a brand new team. So far, he's played one regular season game with his teammates. He had limited duty in mini/training camps. The chemistry just might not be 100% yet. Give the guy a little time to build timing with Joe and Colston and the rest of the guys.

3. Brees is learning a brand new offense, as is the rest of the team. He came into a new city, with a new coach, who is getting his first opportunity to call the shots. The offense is probably being changed and upgraded every day as Payton looks for the best ways to use his weapons. I know it's his job to learn the plays, but the guy is learning a huge playbook at the same time he's trying to figure out how to best utilize his players with the plays the coach is calling.

4. Brees is a Pro Bowler. He might not be "great" in the sense of a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, but IMO he's every bit as good as Donovan McNabb or Carson Palmer. From 2004-2005, his completion percentage was second in the league only to a guy named Peyton. He's a career 62.2% passer. In 2004, he finished the season with a 104.8 passer rating. FACE IT, DREW BREES IS REALLY GOOD.

Anyways, my point is, Brees is a very good QB, and he's a 1,000,000X upgrade over AB; and I can legitimately say that, even though he's only played one game with his teammates and he's still trying to find that chemistry. But, IMO, even more importantly, he's a good person, a real class act. Him and his family have come into New Orleans and embraced the city. He cares about the fans and he doesn't want to let them, us, down. This guy is going to be the number one passer in Saints history when it's all said and done, let's try to show him some support.