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Drew Brees hasn't been surrounded by this much negativity since he first arrived in New Orleans with a torn-up shoulder in 2006. Well, maybe "negativity" is too strong of a word. But the New Orleans Saints and their superstar quarterback are definitely being reminded that the NFL is a "what have you done for me lately?" kind of league.

Earlier this month, ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski ranked Brees sixth among the league's current quarterbacks. Behind the Baltimore Ravens' Joe Flacco and Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan, which is absurd.

Even Brees' NFL peers dropped him down on the NFL Network poll of the league's top 100 players -- from No. 2 overall in 2012 to No. 11 -- while leaving the rest of Brees' teammates off that list entirely.

When asked about those types of snubs, Brees just smiled and said, "I think we were all motivated anyway. But we'll stay under the radar until it's time."

It's not like Brees needs any extra motivation following last season's 7-9 campaign. He's one of the most ultra-competitive players the NFL has ever seen.

Brees said Thursday night that he spends every offseason "searching for that little edge that's gonna help get you where you wanna go."

And while discussing his relationship with coach Sean Payton, Brees said he still comes to work every day asking himself, "How can I still justify to him that I'm the guy that can lead this team and be his quarterback?' And I hope I can do that for a long, long time. But the fact is it's always a challenge every day. You never get complacent and you never take it for granted."

Read more: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees as motivated as ever after disappointing 2012 | NOLA.com

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