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2 of a kind
QBs Warner, Brees mirror images


NEW ORLEANS — When the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints go at it Saturday in the Louisiana Superdome, you know what you likely will get from both quarterbacks.


Excellence.

The Cardinals' Kurt Warner and the Saints' Drew Brees are both experienced. They are both accurate. They both like to use all their receivers. They both get rid of the football as quick as a hiccup. Blitz either at your own risk, because they are experts at making you pay. On the other hand, given time, both will pick an opponent apart.

That's why the key to Saturday's playoff game is simply this: The defense that can disrupt the other team's superstar quarterback will be the team that wins.

You don't have to take it from me. Listen to Saints left tackle Jermon Bushrod, who protects Brees' blind side.

"It's simple, really; both quarterbacks are as good as it gets," Bushrod said Tuesday afternoon. "The line that protects his quarterback best will be the team that wins."

Or, looking at it from the other side of the ball, the defense that gets in the other quarterback's face the most will be the team that advances to the NFC Championship Game, one step away from the Super Bowl.

Efficient Pair

Brees completed 71 percent of his passes, Warner 67 percent of his. Brees threw for 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, Warner for 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Efficient is an adjective that fits both snugly.

Asked Tuesday about their similar quarterbacking styles, Brees responded, "I'd say our offenses are pretty similar in regards to the number of times we're throwing it. In order to do that, you have to recognize where your matchups are, which he does a great job of, get rid of the ball, attack pressure when teams try to pressure you. ... I'd say he's a guy that I definitely watch and try to grab things from, just little bits by watching him. . . .I'd say he's a guy that inspires me to be a better player."

But Brees smiled when he brought up the biggest obvious difference between the two: Warner has played in two Super Bowls and owns one Super Bowl ring (and a Super Bowl MVP trophy). Brees, one of the smartest guys in the league, also knows Super Bowl rings are a huge part of an NFL quarterback's legacy, a huge part of whether a quarterback is destined for Canton, Ohio, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2 of a kind | clarionledger.com | The Clarion-Ledger

Rugby Saint II

Who wants it more? My guess is Drew is highly motivated to get that ring. The funny thing was they interviewed Bushrod who is our O lines weak link and he was talking about whoever has the best line wins.

niteadept

Drew Brees def wants it more. He deserves it as does all of the New Orleans Saints team. Cardinals are going down.

UK_WhoDat

Given himself some pressure there!
Both QBs "want" it. But our D can "give" it more.

homerj07

You cannot say that any player wants it more - They ALL want it!!

But I think with our players back we are in a better position to minimize mistakes & play hard!!