Mike Tanier on Brees vs. Unitas
 

When Drew Brees surpasses Johnny Unitas’ consecutive touchdown record in two weeks, his accomplishment will be met with a little celebration, a lot of confusion, some ambivalence, a dash of indifference and a surprising amount of derision.

One of the most admirable figures in the sports world will reach a milestone once thought unattainable, but as many people will shrug or scoff as celebrate. The line to downplay or denigrate Brees’ achievement will be at least as long as the line to pat him on the back.

Brees is certain to receive backhanded blessings for throwing a touchdown pass in his 48th consecutive game -- besting Unitas’ 47-game streak that extended from 1956-60 -- because he went down the same road just 10 months ago. Brees blew past Dan Marino’s record for single-season passing yards last year, and some experts acted like he burned down an orphanage. Brees had it easy, not like the legends of yesteryear. His new record wasn’t so much tarnished as dismissed, a non-event, the residue of modern passing promiscuity. No one puts asterisks in record books anymore, and why should we, when it is so much easier to brush off the whole concept of breaking a record as irrelevant, or even counterproductive, to the all-important task of winning


Mike Tanier on Brees vs. Unitas

Re: Mike Tanier on Brees vs. Unitas
 

He ain't broke it yet....We still have to go through Green Bay and San Diego. And I'm holding my breath.

Re: Mike Tanier on Brees vs. Unitas
 

Hate to say it, but one of my biggest fears is that they don't get the TD early in Green Bay on Sunday (I'm thinking Jimmy Graham grabs one, I hope) and in my nightmare Carmichael winds up forcing it every time they get into the red zone, just to try and get it, and the Packers know it's coming and clamp down. If the playcalling gets predictable, it could be a long day. I want Drew to get it, of course, but at this point, right now, it's just another distraction.

I would love to see a breakdown of how many of those first TD's in consecutive games were to Jimmy Graham, in the last year or so. He has become a huge part of this streak. There are at least 2, maybe 3 Jimmy Graham routes from inside the 5 yard line, that it seems like NOBODY in the world can stop. My favorite is the one where he just steps a few feet forward into the end zone, and turns around and the ball is there and he catches it. It's over before the other team even knows what's happening.

Re: Mike Tanier on Brees vs. Unitas
 

The key part of the statement for Jimmy lately

Re: Mike Tanier on Brees vs. Unitas
 

Don't force it Drew

Just do what you do and good things will happen.

Re: Mike Tanier on Brees vs. Unitas
 

The piece de resistance!

Brees to Shanle for the record!

Re: Mike Tanier on Brees vs. Unitas
 

Interesting.. so i am not sure why Brees record would be anything less than triumphant. I know some will say it has to do with W-L ratio.

1960 - The year Unitas set the record the Baltimore Colts went 6-6 .500 season

I remember seeing something on nfl network (before Brees broke Marino's record) saying that unitas's record was more unbreakable than marino's.

Re: Mike Tanier on Brees vs. Unitas
 

For 100 million, Unitas would still be playing.

I can do ANYTHING for 100 million bucks.

Alaska

Re: Mike Tanier on Brees vs. Unitas
 

Really?

Become a Falcons fan and LIKE it?