TheOak

I am choosing to look at it from a different perspective. I know this will not alleviate anyone's heartburn, but it is really not as bad as some are portraying.

1. Even if he does not get a contract, he is Franchise tagged and that means he is not going anywhere but N.O...
2. Could he sit out a season? Theoretically yes he could, but that is not his personality, and i think at this point in his career sitting out a season would hurt him more than it would help him. If he sat out a season it could possibly damage his HoF chances. It will definitely damage his value next season, as not being on the field for a season puts him in the backs of peoples minds and not in the front. It would also put him as 3rd best QB in the league behind Rogers, and Brady... Remember who was considered the best QB in the league two years ago... P. Manning, and where is he now in that discussion? An after thought.
3. Who is the last future HoFer that sat out for a season because of a lack of contract? Exactly... they don't. They may hold out longer than we would like but eventually they are playing that season.
4. There is also a lot of talk about him needing to sign and get in gear because we are with out Sean Payton this year... Yes we are, but that is not a Drew Brees problem, that is a Saints front office problem so I would caution holding that against him.

Something to note, and it helps understand Brees position. The players are not "full time" employees of the New Orleans Saints (E.G. front office people, dome employees, etc...) In reality they are contract employees, consultants if you will, that live from contract to contract that can be terminated at any time. There is no long term disability, easy job while he recovers, etc... if he has a career ending injury the second game of the year. He is done. So it only makes sense to push as hard as he can for front end loaded, guaranteed money. While the CBA may actually give some relief it is not going to be any where near his salary and it will only cover medical costs, it will not serve as income.

Fans tend to look at the dollar amount of a contract and feel like pushing for more is greedy. Drew Brees is a business and he is in the business of Drew brees... Not the New Orleans Saints...and businesses will get every dollar they can for a product...

Drew was not born a Saint. At one point in his life he was a Charger... and when he got hurt, they let him go.

alleycat_126

Love your points. I'll add some, and give some perspective as well. Here are some reasons you might want this to go to the last minute. Or at least past OTAS and still not be worried.

1. Age
Drew Brees is 33 years old, for all intents and purposes this is very well his last contract as a Pro Football player, why not milk it for all you can. Wouldn't you. No way he sits a season now, First ballot HOF is on the line.

2. Leader
Overrated, there are plenty of capable vets who can grab the reigns of this team until Drew is available. Do you think his leadership qualities will diminish when he is available. He's not leading 53 rookies into battle. It just helps is all.

3. Miles on Arm
Drew threw a driving vacations worth of yards last season, I think Mickey Loomis could have gotten this deal done months ago but, why Drew needs this time to rest, recooperate, recover........ Why do you need him for weightraining, or OTAs when you already know he will come in, in great shape with a complete, COMPLETE, grasp of the offense. Unnecessary......

Patience....... So hard to have, especially when all you see on ESPN or NFL network is they must sign DREW....... which brings me to my last point!!!

4. Network coverage.......
You do realize that the Saints have ESPN by the balls right now. They reported a story about Mickey Loomis without factual evidence. Or maybe you've forgotten wiretaps fully. There execs haven't. Anything else they can do to throw our fans in a tizzy and keep there minds off of ESPN collosal **** up is cool with them...
I think the term my mom use to say is take everything they say with a grain of salt!!!!!!!

sharke

I just wanted to reiterate this.

hagan714

drew has what? another two maybe 3 years left in the tank. age or desire to play will bring an end to his days in the nfl.

how many people really think he will last 5 more years?

TheOak

We can rebuild him

Rugby Saint II

If he stays in good shape he could feasibly play into his early forties. He has a good line to protect him and gets rid of the ball quickly so he has less time to get hit.

darstep

better...stronger...faster..

Brees is already in the gym, and throwing everyday.
He's not waiting for OTA's or training camp.
When he shows up he will be ready to go.
It doesn't matter if it's early or late, he will come ready.

TheOak

"already?"... What what I gather, he puts the hamper down the hall just so he can spiral his socks into a tight opening...

He throws the laundry hamper open.

saintfan

SloMotion

, lot of good points but this one made me think ... Brees threw for 5,476yds, nobody drives that many miles in a vacation unless you're the Griswolds ... Chevy Chase does look a little bit like Drew, ... but seriously, the more I see/read about 'the contract', the more I think it's just one of those things that will get done in time, regardless, and 'patience' was probably the best point you made.