"Saints: Love and hate" from Pete Prisco
 

METAIRIE, La. -- Here are the Love and hate observations from Saints camp.

Love

• Drew Brees. There is talk that he is now in the top tier of the league's passers, joining Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. He's close, but not there yet. One more Super Bowl victory or another record-breaking season might get him there. He's truly special in the way he runs the New Orleans offense. He is so good at going to the right guy, getting the ball out on time, that he makes it so tough for defenses.

• Sean Payton's play-calling. He is as aggressive as any coach in football. He isn't afraid to take chances. It helps that he has a player like Brees running things, but he is just as good at picking the right play at the right time. There's arrogance to being a great play caller, and Payton has it. You can't be scared. Payton never is, which is why he's tops in football when it comes to scheming up plays. Don't expect any letup from him.

• The interior of the offensive line might be the best in the NFL. Center Jonathan Goodwin has surprised with his play the past two years and guards Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans are the best pair in football. Evans is considered one of the best guards in football, but Nicks isn't far behind. Some Saints observers think he was the better of the two guards late last season. They are both maulers who excel in pass protection.

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Saints: Love and hate - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

Good read. Lots of love and only a little bit of hate.

I was thinking the same thig Big. If that's the worst hate we get, we're doing good.

My only beef with the article is they still don't think Brees is there yet. The only category he's not in with Brady & Manning is "All-Time Great", and it looks as though thats coming in a couple of seasons. He is in the top tier of QB's, and this isn't just opinion, the numbers bear it out, Drew is simply the best QB in the league over the last 4 seasons.

My opinion, let them keep on thinking that. I love surprises.

It's only a matter of time. I think it is due mostly the media playing favoritism. If you look at who everybody has ranked as a #1 fantasy QB, its Brees most of the time. If he has another great year which we know he will people will begin to recognize.