Brees: Saints will thrive in wake of bounty penalties
 

CARLSBAD, Calif. - Drew Brees is still sticking up for his team and says it will continue to thrive despite coach Sean Payton's season-long suspension for his role in the New Orleans Saints' bounty system.

The quarterback says he doesn't condone a bounty structure, but added there's a difference between pay-for-performance and pay-for-injury, "and I'd say what we've been accused of in regards to pay-for-injury is not the case."

Brees spoke at La Costa Resort & Spa while promoting his Drew Brees Celebrity Championship, which will be played in May.

Brees sidestepped his unhappiness at being slapped with the franchise tag. He declined to say whether he'd skip offseason workouts that start Monday.

Drew Brees says New Orleans Saints still will thrive without coach Sean Payton this season - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

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Drew is the man and I have no doubt he will be at off season practice

SIGN a contract and we WILL thrive.

He wont be at OTA's on the 16.....if he planned on being there he would have said so.

I'm betting he won't be there.

You know what? I know I'm gonna get a lot of flack for saying this, but I got to get this off my chest.

I don't think Drew wants to be here, anymore. I fully think he would be happy playing for the CFL's worst team if the would pay him 30 million a year.

I'm sick of the "This is what happens in contract talks" crap. If he is the leader of this team; BE A FREAKIN LEADER! If he doesn't want to be here, get the hell outta here. Drew has too take some responsibility in all of this contract crap. It's HIS career, not Condon's. I am starting to worry that my opinion of him is going to drop; and I don't want that to happen. It is starting to p*$$ me off.

I think if Brees is talking about next season, and including himself in the "we", it is a very good thing.

No flack here. I understand your thinking because nothing has happened and it is really very unusual for a guy of his stature to play out his last year without a contract...so, a long time ago I started thinking, "Hmmmm?"

I keep reminding everybody that him and some other guys had a lawsuit against the NFL about the franchise tag...unless I am mistaken.

Isn't it possible that Drew is so upset with the NFL that he is ready to get back into court with them and maybe win a lawsuit that would be worth a lot more than even his contract would be this year?

Remember...when it comes to Drew and Payton, most everything I post is just speculation because nobody really knows what is going on in those two's heads.

Raise the Sails we've got the wind at our backs.

He won't be at practice on Monday. He's a union man. He won't even show up for support. And he will not sign the franchise tag. No contract, no play. I hope I'm wrong, but he's been dragging this contract crap out for a year and a half. Why give in and sign the FT now.

Are you warming up Chase?

Hey Sapper, I'm pretty sure that you being pissed off is right at the top of Drew's priorities when it comes to him deciding when and if he signs the tag tender or accepts a brand new 4-6 year deal. Drew has to do what's best for Drew, and little Drew, and momma Drew; whatever that turns out to be. His leadership starts at home, first and foremost, then to the team, and then across the league for all of the other players who may have to get stuck with a franchise tag somewhere up the road. Drew knows that the Payton system can still make hay even on cruise control. He just wants his monies guaranteed in case something terrible happens along the way. This is probably Drew's last BIG contract. I can't blame him at all. Even if he pulled a Farve and didn't show up until July.

I know Drew could give 2 craps about what ole Sapper thinks.

I..."I", don't want to end up hating him and seeing him as a money grubbing football player.

Is Drew worth what he wants? IMHO as a Saints fan; YES. I want him to get paid. I want him to retire as a Saint. I want a statue of Gold of him in front of the Dome when he retires. I want all the best things for Drew Brees.

But what this team NEEDS, is for him to be the leader right now.

These are all great sentiments, but the reality is that if Brees gets a $24M per contract it won't matter about the "team" because there won't be one ... You can't possibly sign quality players around him with that much committed to one guy per year ... Drew knows that -- he's not stupid. I love Drew - best thing to ever happen to this franchise, but let's be honest ... He got his ring and now it's about getting paid ... He's a LOCK for the HOF -- These guys know their careers could be ended at any moment ... He's only doing what most capitalists do --- CAPITALIZING on an opportunity to make A TON of money.

As fans we hate it, but any one of us would be doing it if we were in his situation. (Okay, there may be a few exceptions so spare me the "leader" comments ... This has little to do with leadership.)

WHO DAT!!! I want Bounty Gate to die forever ...

Drew is worth every dime of being the highest paid NFL player. I fully support him getting everything he can - to a point...

That point is where it starts killing not only the year or two after he leaves, but the current window of opportunity that we have while he is here.

If he gets $25 million and there is nobody to block for him or for him to throw to or on defense and he has to throw 60 times a game and ends up with a career-ending injury, what has the big contract proven if you can only get it for a year?


As I said, Drew deserves to be the highest paid player in the NFL. He has EARNED it.

But that can't come at the expense of the franchise.

C'mon Drew, sign a 5 year 100 million deal and let's be done with this!


Hell, the fans will throw in an extra million or two if you bring home another title! I'm sure we could come up with 100K Saints fans to chip in $10-$20 each

This is his last financial opportunity to make the most out of his skills.

I think he is being a leader in that regard, showing players to make the most out of their god given talent and hard work. As fans, we don't like it, but it's for the best. And I don't buy into the rest of the team will suffer. The Pats and Colts have done uncommonly well with their highly paid QB's. And how many defensive players have had lackluster seasons once they got the big payday...too many to count. We can still have a respectable defense with some elbow grease from the scouts and coaches.

"With the New Orleans Saints off-season program starting on Monday, April 16th, according to Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, a source close to quarterback Drew Brees said that that he will not be attending without a long-term deal in place."

Yea...I didn't think so.

Come on Drew...Dammit!

No cause for alarm with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees not attending workouts : New Orleans Saints

Calm down all is well.