Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Whenever you compare players from different eras, it makes for a great debate.

With Drew Brees on the verge of breaking Johnny Unitas’ record (47) for consecutive games with a touchdown pass, ESPN Stats & Information’s Alok Pattani takes a look at the two streaks.

He writes that Brees’ streak might not be quite as impressive as what Unitas did. Unitas’ streak came from 1956 through 1960 at a time when anywhere from 40 to 50 percent of a team’s overall plays were passes. Brees’ streak comes in an era where teams throw on about 60 percent of their offensive plays.

Using some fancy math, Pattani calculates that a 47-game touchdown pass steak was 43 times more unlikely in the late 1950s than today. He also calculates that it would take a 63-game streak today to be as impressive as a 47-game streak in the late 1950s.

All valid points. There is no doubt that Brees plays in a league that passes much more often than the one Unitas plays in.

But I don’t think Brees’ potential accomplishment should be diminished. Unitas’ record has stood for 52 years. If another quarterback had played well enough, the record could have been broken long ago.

But it wasn’t. It’s lasted until Brees, so let’s give him his due credit.

Is Brees' streak diminished by era? - NFC South Blog - ESPN

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Yes, I think so. I think ALL offensive records are a bit tainted by all the rule changes that are driving these ridiculous numbers.

BUt then again, every era has an asterisk so to speak. Steroids anyone?

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

I know that it's now a much more pass-happy league, but, Brees' TD to INT ratio is better and has a better QB rating during the streak than Unitas had. So, I don't see where it's diminished at all.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

We all know that the ONLY reason all these article about Brees records being less than the QBs that set them, is mainly because he is a New Orleans Saints player.

If Brady was closing in on the TD record instead of Brees, that would be the lead story on ESPN, NFL Network etc.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

I agree 100%
Brees will always have to do that much more for well deserved credit.
If the record was so easy to break there would be alot more people in the chase....

Just like the passing record.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

To hell with them. If they can't see what a great story this is. Drew Dat !

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Nah. that's just stupid sports casters downplaying anything the Saint's and Drew Brees do.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

I don't think anyone is trying to downplay the Saints or Brees, but yes, considering the era Unitas did this in was very much more remarkable compared to now. Still, if Brees can break the mark Sunday Night, it is a major accomplishment since this record has stood for 52 years. It is incredibly difficult for an individual QB to throw a TD in that many games, considering there is always a chance at getting knocked out of a game, or an opposing defense just completely prevents it at least once. Awesome for Brees!!!

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Ok, if that writer says that because of all the changes in football it is not big of a deal that Brees breaks the record, why wasn't there any other QB the last few years breaking it? They are playing a more modern football as Unita, too. Why did they not break the record? Like for example a Brett Favre or so? No way, I do not agree with the writer to downgrade Brees' performance!

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Teams are passing more butyou can't forget that DB play is much improved since back in Unitas day.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

I think the difference between the two records...and I know a lot of you guys aren't going to like this, but it kinda evens things out because I really don't like Drew the person...is that Unitas probably set the record just going about business, with a TD streak never being his intention.

I think that Drew's first order of business in each game is to keep his
record(s) intact...then worry about doing whatever it takes to win or lose...like run the ball more if needed that day.

I think he should be doing whatever it takes to win a game on any given Sunday and let the records fall or not fall where they may. You can't tell me that every defense in the NFL is more vulnerable against the pass then they are against the run...but every game he throws around 55-60 times, it seems.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

I do not agree with your opinion but respect it. I seriously think Drew would rather take 4-0 with no record over 0-4 with it. Obviously this cannot ever be verified, but the year Drew had a chance at breaking the season passing yards and the Saints were out of it, he seriously under threw his WR and the record didn't happen. To this day I believe that was intentional.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Well, obviously we have no way of really knowing...but I do have one thing supporting my claim, and that is his hold-out. 15, 16...18 million...was not enough. He had to be the highest paid player. That same ego that jumps around hollering...like that's gonna make a difference...is the ego that had to be the highest paid player...and it is the same ego that made the comment of people having to leave due to business (money...or lack of money) is part of playing in the NFL.

I contend that 15 million (a year!) should be more than enough to not only satisfy one persons wants and needs in life...and I mean all of them...but still allow your team to be competitive. JMO, though.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Your point is exceptionally valid, and yes, I did too had a very dislike during the Brees contract negotiations. When the contract was done, he absolutely deserved to be the highest paid player in the NFL, no doubt. I seriously get what you are saying about the ego trip, but if you look closer at his contract, it is a very Saints friendly one. One that the Saints can easily cut bait at pretty much anytime and not be put into salary cap hell. It is basically a three year contract, hell could come after the three years is up.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

First off...I appreciate that you can understand where I am coming from. Secondly...I do agree that he deserves to be the highest paid player. I appreciate what we have accomplished under him.

All I am saying is that if he was as great a guy as he would like us to think he is, then he would've been happy to make a tremendous amount of money...maybe not the most...and still keep as many parts as possible of the machine that helped him bring us to the promised land.

I really am not surprised that he didn't...and if he had, it might have been a 1st for the NFL...but if winning and the team are the highest priority then he would've been content to just be the richest man in La. outside of Benson, and not worried that Peyton Manning is making 19 million...or whatever.

I'm just bitter about the whole thing as you all have probably already noticed.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

The record stood for 50+ years for damn good reason, it was a great accomplishment. If the changes in the game made that big a difference, you would have seen Montana, Marino, Kelly, et... all challenging that record. If the era mattered so much, why hasn't Brady, Manning or Rodgers come close to the record? Because it's damn hard to do regardless of when you played, that's why.

Nah, nothing takes away from or diminishes Brees breaking this record. It's damn hard to do anything consecutively in professional sports, let alone throw a TD in 47 consecutive games.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Actually, no, you are 100% wrong on this -- I get that you like to bash on Brees and his contract, you're just looking for any excuse, but you are dead wrong here. People were well aware of the Unitas streak and the record at the time (especially towards the end) and the final game where he didn't get a TD pass, the Colts were trying like crazy to get one all game long but the other team was shutting the Colts out (couldn't get a TD rushing OR passing all day) and Unitas was freaked out that he couldn't get a TD pass. Unitas' knack for throwing TD passes was celebrated and hyped, in the media, every bit as much as Brees or Brady or Payton is today. (Although there were less media back then, of course). In fact the Colts offense back then was built around Unitas as the star, throwing the ball and breaking records, the same way the Saints are built around Brees today.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

I was just about to say the same thing.

To add to that, defenses, especially the CB's, are of a very different calibur. They are faster, stronger, and much better than back then. D's in that era were the big giant guys made to stuff the gaps and the run.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

I don't buy it. The passing yardage I understand, Completion % I understand, the rules have made those more attainable. Not the consecutive TD record, not unless you can show me a game where Drew had 1 TD pass and a changing of the rules made it a TD. Just saying that they throw more does not effect 1 TD in every game, career TDs yes but not 1 TD per game. You could even asterisk multiple TD games but not 1, not when no one is close to him. Brady may be only be 11 behind him... thats 11 games with a TD, not just TDs.

47 games with a TD means that in nearly three full seasons no ones secondary has been able to shut down Drew.

If you could show me anyone close to Brees in present day I would be glad to listen to the rest of your story.

Brett "Gunslinger" Favre got shut down at 36 in 2004.
Brady has an active streak at 36.
Marino made it to 30.
Manning in the same era couldn't get past 27.
and that's it... there are no historical streaks above 30, other than those.
Most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (NFL) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Because it is the Saints. Because it is Drew Brees... Those are the only records people want to asterisk.

Teams with hell of a lot better receivers than we have couldn't touch it.
Montana Rice
Young Rice
Manning Harrison

So if you want to asterisk it... then asterisk it with *Did more with less.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

My point exactly. I'm getting sick and tired of the media, fans, critics, etc. saying that records today do not mean anything because of the era. Straight bull$%*!. It's mostly guys that grew up in earlier era and still hold on to the notion that their heroes back then are the only real men that played the game and now everyone who plays today are pampered cry babies and could not play back them BLAH, BLAH, BLAH... Stop trying to hold on the the past and embrace the present. Sports in general have moved leaps and bounds since your father's NFL. They are all acting like every player on every team back then was of Hall of Fame caliber. Give me a break. Apparently, Unitas' team was a passing team enough to where he had 47 consecutive games of throwing the ball.

It's all becoming one big "overly used" cliche'.... and yes, I know it's redundant. That's how bad it is!

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Marino, Favre, Brady, Manning, Starbach, Akin, Elway, Montana, Bradshaw.

These are great QB's. This is a list of HOF'ers and future HOF'ers.

They never tied Johnny.

As far as individual stats go; Drew has the potential to break all the QB records. As unhappy as I was about the contract thing; I am happy for him and hope he gets it.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Yep, like others have said. You can tie the record in 3 years so if it's so easy to do with this new pass happy league every QB in the league since 2009 should be tying it by the reporter's thinking.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

I completely agree with those who've said that if it was easy, it'd have been done by now. (And I especially liked 656's post.)

Now to address the reporter. What's to stop Drew from taking the streak to 63?

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Of course it is, but if he keeps going then he will surpass Unitas...maybe 58?

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Agreed, the record stood for so long for good reason. We are watching the first Saint hall of fame QB, just enjoy it while we have it.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

I wonder if Alok Pattani considered the converse of his argument when comparing Johnny U and Brees?

How many teams in the Unitas era had defenses prepared to stop the pass?

How many teams had truly quality defensive backs that could cover receivers?

How much time did Unitas have to read and throw versus Brees' time against the pass rush of today?

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

I mentioned this yesterday to my co-workers and they slammed their lips shut and had to walk away.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

The NFL has changed so much over the years... trying to compare today's greats to past greats just isn't fair to anyone involved.

Today's players I believe as a whole are better then era’s past... there is more publicity for the sport than ever before, which has led to more people dreaming of being there, and more chances to compete in local leagues, school leagues, the NCAA to build skills, and then go pro… the process weeds out a lot more people who might have made it in the past. And there is a LOT more money.., elite athletes have opportunities to make millions now where as there was a time where offseason stuff wouldn't happen because players had to work 9-5 jobs most of the year... and wouldn't get by without those jobs.

I remember when Tomlinson broke the most points in a single season record... the player who had it before was saying "I did it in less games"... IIRC (and I could be wrong) that former player was the kicker as well as the one scoring the points... so he would get the PATs and the FGs as well... Trying to compare the two men was not fair to either of them. The era's of the game were to different.

Despite that... Tomlinson celebrating that record was one of the greatest sports moments of my life... and Saints fans will and should say the same thing about Brees if he breaks the record. (more likely than not he will, but in the NFL there are no guarantees).

The past players built the league for today's players and fans... and in 30 years when the players are even bigger faster and stronger than they are now... they will be asking the same thing when Brees, Tomlinson, Peterson, Brady, etc have their records broken... It is an accomplishment no matter what era it happens in but a past players record being broken shouldn't reflect badly on those legends... we never will know what they would be like if they played today.

I sign off on this, matt!!!

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

The rules in the way a DB can cover a wide receiver have changed since Marino, Elway, Montana, Favre to that era of football maybe diminished a little. From the Unitas days OMG I would say it's changed tremendously, has it diminished Drew's accomplishments, no way he still had to throw the ball.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Is it diminished? NO WAY. Defenses today are 100 times better than in Unitas's day.

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Two different styles of game, but, if all players were put into a pool right now and the League did a redraft - it's either Rodgers or Brees then Other Kid (Brady); Hell, Belichick would even pause before taking Bradychen...

Re: Is Brees' streak diminished by era?
 

Diminished? No

Different? Absolutely

Apples and oranges.