If I'm doing a Top Ten List of GOAT Quarterbacks, these are some of the things that I give weight to in my mind when you factor where Brees places on such a list...

First, Brees had an advantage of the Irsay/Colts post-AFC loss meltdown in 2004/2005 of pass defense rules tweaks; while Brees' numbers jumped here, they went stratospheric post-rules changes...

By comparison, somebody like Marino had passing numbers that no one came closed to until the changes in pass defense...

Some thoughts about last night's game:

• Though the RB, WR, OL, were "1's", Brees sat so I'm not real panicked by the blasé offensive performance...
  
  ...after all, the first series saw Tom Savage throwing to Garret Griffin to convert a 3rd down against the Jags "No. 1's"...
  
  
• Brings me to this - Payton & Co isolate QB vs QB in with the same variables (i.e. plays, personnel) so they can get a better sense of these reserve QBs...
  

...

Check out these highlights for Jay Bromley. He looks beastly.

Despite the highest paid lineman of the unit missing half the season, again, the Saints return nearly all of the league's best unit from last season...

Sans its most important reserve/swing starter in Senio Kelemete...

The loss of Kelemete cannot be understated...

While I could lament the loss of Kelemete and the heresy of arguing to trade the often unavailable Terron Armstead (aka Mr. Glass), I'll stay on point...

So without further ado,...