Which ones? (excluding rookies).

You guys make some very valid points. I don't see him as greedy. And new contract or not, there's no way to know if he'll be injured. Brees wants to retire a Saint, I'm sure. But when I speak of what he has done for us, you almost can't put money on that. Who are his equals? Brady, Peyton & Aaron. That's as close as you can get. The only shot we have outside of Brees would be Peyton.

So when you tell me, "what QB wouldn't want to play here?", I ask, "Who would you want?" sure other QBs may WANT to play for us, but NONE of them are Drew Brees. And this is just my opinion, but if he went to another team, he'd have more success without us than we would without him.

Chase Daniels reminds me more of Romo than Brees. And there are other servicable QBs out there, but how would we fare with Kyle Orton, Kevin Kolb, Colt McCoy, Tavaris Jackson, Matt Leinart, etc... Because that's whats out there if we lose Brees. And the draft doesn't hold can't miss prospects in the draft every year.

Naturally it would be impossible to get an equal caliber QB as Brees at this moment, but I was referring more to the fact that it's not like the Saints have to overpay a player because that is the only way they could attract him. Sadly that has been the case for the most of the history of the Saints' franchise, but they've risen past that and now they are a desirable destination for free agent to go to instead of one leave as soon as they can.

That being said, as there really aren't that many viable QBs around to be had, I'd be wiling to take a closer look at McCoy for instance if the opportunity would present itself and indeed become necessary.


As for Brees, I can't stress enough that I think very highly of him and his abilities, but if you'd put Brees on a team with a (very) weak O-line which would require him to scramble out of the pocket while evading pass rushers - he'd hardly be as effective of a passer as he has been with the Saints and their solid (some say league best, i.e. Madden) O-line protecting him. We've all seen that, especially during some stretches of the 2010 season.

Also, as has been already discussed in other threads, a lot of the offense's success has to be appointed to SP and his role in building a system where players such as Brees are able to flourish and play to their potential. Too often we see great players under-perform because of the system they play in, only to become stars after they get a chance to play in a system which suits their particular playing style. I think this has been a key in Brees' magnificent comeback: the bond between him and SP, and how they seem to understand what the other person needs from the other in order for them to achieve all that can be achieved together.

So don't fool yourself into thinking that Brees would make the decision to leave to another team/system without a heavy heart, because what he and SP have is something that might not be replicable, as could be the general success.

Anyone who buys a BREES jersey at this point is a DAMM FOOO!

Alaska

Yes, but that was HIS choice - to play for less - because we've tried to sign him and HE decided to wait.

what need to happen is sit the ENTIRE team down in a room with Drew in the center sitting on a throne. Ask the players who is willing to take pay cuts so Drew can have more money.
With the salary cap this is what it balls down too.

Assumptions and paranoia do not mix well

Without Brees New Orleans would not look like such a desirable location. Players want to play for a team that can win, and with Brees we have the best chance of winning and other players know that.

Yes, but to say that the success of a franchise is entirely up to the performance of a single player is somewhat far-fetched or if it is actually accurate - the Saints have more important issues to deal with than re-signing Brees.

Not saying I don't want Brees but if McCoy under Paytons tuturing might not be a bad thing. I don't think Daniels is the long time answer.