Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Drew Brees brought his entire offense down around him in front of an unhappy Superdome crowd, throwing three interceptions, including a third quarter one returned for a touchdown that put the Saints in a really bad place. I’m referring, of course, to a 2006 game against Baltimore, in which Brees actually threw two pick-sixes, single-handedly turning a struggle into a beatdown.

Those two interceptions were among the seven pick-sixes Brees threw between 2006 and 2008, tying him with Brett Favre for worst in the league over that period. To be fair, Brees got better between 2009 and 2011 — he improved all the way to fifth-worst, his five interceptions returned for touchdowns one fewer than the number thrown by Mark Sanchez and the same as the number thrown by Matt Hasselbeck, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Chad Henne, Matt Schaub, and Jake Delhomme.

The Brees in decline meme is stronger this season than it has ever been, but it’s not a new thing. If you journey deep enough into big Saints message boards, you can probably find somebody arguing it as far back as 2010, when rumors of Brees’s fading arm strength replaced comments about his once-injured right shoulder acting up as Message Board Guy’s favorite worry.

There are two genres of Brees in decline meme: Brees nostalgia, which is when we aren’t satisfied by modern Brees, because modern Brees can never be as good as idealized past Brees, whom in our heads we see in sepia, probably, with also flicking film reel noises; and Brees ratio analysis, which is when we scientifically sum up our observed number of stupid Brees mistakes and compare that to our observed number of great Brees passes, and decide the difference between the two has gotten way worse lately.

The difference between the two genres is that one denies Brees’s long history of Favreness while one accepts it; otherwise, followers of both genres agree: the big plays just don’t happen like they used to. You know what comes next. Why else would I be writing this post?

Drew Brees Is Not in Decline -- You Just Have Brees Nostalgia | B&G

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

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Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Oh My God get off of it!!!!!!

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Drew Brees is in decline. He's not quite as quick. His arms a lil weaker. OK. So now he's like every other QB in the NFL. He can't do it alone anymore. He needs a run game, protection, reliable weapons and a good D to win.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

With a little better pass protection, threads like this would vanish.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

He's not in decline yet, and his arm doesn't look any weaker than it did in 2006.

Stop it.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

:confused::dunce:8-):lolup::lol::-D:grin::lolup::lolup::lolup:

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Billy, you've made some really good posts in the past.

This ain't one of 'em.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Blah, blah, blah. We better morph back into the contender we anticipated after the bye week. Including you Brees. 09 Brees needs to be in full effect. And Colston, get your mind right.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Hey, here's a thought -- maybe if we had spent some money on the O-Line in the off-season our $100M QB would look less threatened than he OCCASIONALLY does.

But, even so, this line of argument continues to be asinine -- and is stinkin' up the joint. Make it go away. :pissed:

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Tied for the league lead with 6 INTs, two of those Pick 6's. Or throwing those picks instead of taking a sack or throwing the ball away, something you teach young QBs to do.

These are some of the things where Brees and I disagree.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

I atually do think he is in decline. I watched Brady last night and his zip on the ball was good, Brees, I haven't seen it, I'm just being honest!! I love the guy but there will be a time we have to move on and I think it will be within the next 2 years.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

People were literally talking about how Brady didn't have zip in his passes after NE got blown out by the Chiefs.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that you won't see zip like that every game. But that doesn't mean it isn't still there.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Brees had zip? When? In San Diego? He never had any zip as a Saints that I can remember.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

By the numbers --

Drew Brees is #3 among all NFL QBs in YPG

He is #11 among all NFL QBs in +20 yd passes ( And I have to wonder if the go routes are not being called because our wideouts and JG can't seem to catch even short passes and because our O-line can't give the receivers enough time to get 20 yards down town )

And, Drew Brees is consistently in the top 10 QBs in fantasy football ( you know those folks who track the play of individual players because their income depends on it ).

And, all this in our worst year, so far, in the Payton-Brees era.

So, tell me again how you think Drew Brees is in decline?

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Throwing picks. Instead of taking sacks or throwing the ball away, he's throwing head-scratching picks. I could care less about his arm strength declining since that doesn't typically lose you ball-games from the QB position.

His decision making is in decline, at least with our 5 game sample-size of 2014. He needs to clean that crap up in a hurry, or folks are gonna keep saying he's in decline.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Yeah, well, let us know the next time you have an angry 350 pound Godzilla imitator about to stomp your body into a mud hole in the middle of the field. We'll offer some constructive criticism on your judgement too, bro.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Whoaaa...hang on. No need for that.

I ain't paid millions to do the job of an NFL QB. He's been playing against 350 lb d-lineman who have been trying to rip his head off since 2001. He's handled much worse defenses than the 2014 TB defense. QB's make some dumb throws under pressure, even Saint Manning and Saint Brady. It's just that I haven't seen this kind of poor decision-making very often from Brees, but it seems to be happening way too frequently in the first 5 games this year. You simply can't overlook the fact he leads the NFL in INTs and has thrown two Pick 6's in 5 games. These things helps lose games, and Brees' starting record of 2-3 is what I'd call decline. That's the numbers.

And I feel that I have all the freedom in the world to criticize our team, even Brees. I have no clue what it feels like in his position, obviously, but I can watch an NFL game and give my opinion.

Right or wrong, it is my opinion.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

I agree with you. It's sacrilegious to criticize Brees though. You know that. But his decision making is definitely been poor. He usually throws the bulk of his picks on the road. Now he's throwing them at home too. You never see him throw picks on the road, let alone 3. As it stands now, he's got 3 at home and 3 on the road. He's thrown one in every game except Minnesota. His decisions aren't as crisp. And I don't see offensive line being the reason why.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Your statistics are misleading. He "leads the league" among a substantial field of QBs, seven in all, ( approximately one-third of all NFL QBs ) who have thrown 6 INTs this season. This field includes such notables as Andrew Luck, Matt Ryan and Jay Cutler. So, while I agree that INTs and pick 6s are something that needs to be corrected -- by THIS TEAM -- it is NOT evidence of this quarterback's decline.

If you had 10 seconds to throw passes to wide open receivers, I'm sure even you, could look good behind that O-line. This is a team sport, Barry. The O-line makes stars or clowns of QBs and RBs alike.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Every team who's QB has thrown 6 picks so far is struggling except for Andrew Luck, and they were having problems until recently when he finally cleaned up the picks.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

This team is struggling -- but percentage wise I'd give maybe 10-15% of the blame to the INTs. And, considering that INTs are a joint effort between the O-Line and the QB -- that hangs at most 7.5% of the blame on Drew.

There is so much at play here. How money is spent, how the last year went, coaching, play-calling, injuries, etc. I mean WOW I cannot believe the complaining.

I have one question for you -- which QB would you trade Drew for right now?

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Drew has always had at least two games a year were you just want to take him by the head and bang it upside the Gatorade bucket.

At times he tries to do to much. Other times you just have no clue.

most of the time his head on straight and all is good. short to mid range passing are on and the oL is doing it's job. which was not the case sunday.

anyone ready to admit it will take a while to develop our center? I am talking 2 maybe 3 years? till then we will never survive against super bowl caliber DT.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

I would like to see Drew hitting a streaking Cooks 20 yards down the field in perfect stride just once

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Cutler's Bears: 2-3
Ryan's Clowns: 2-3
Brees' Saints: 2-3

Maybe coincidence, but giving the other team more opportunities to have the ball and score is not a winning formula, especially since our defense struggles to get turnovers.

And Brees' 2014 picks have been inopportune...2 returned for TDs (@ Cle & vs TB), 1 in the end zone (@ ATL), 1 on our side of the field (vs TB).

The O-Line, the RB's for blitz pick-up, and his receivers can take some of the blame...but you have to look at the man pulling the trigger. Brees does not get a pass on blame for the decisions he's made so far.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Loaded question. No other QB in the NFL knows this offensive system and offensive personnel better than Brees.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Luck or Rodgers. That's about it.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

There have already been big substitutions this year. Yesterday, Vick for Smith. Bridgewater for Cassel. What's his name for Palmer. Many, many others. Drew has done many things well -- one is -- he's stayed out of the hospital.

QBs have to fill in for each other all the time. That's why they get paid the big bucks. So, Barry, who do you want?

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Luck has thrown just as many INTs as Brees this year, soooooo......

And, we can't have Rodgers. Who else?

Here's what I'm doing about the situation:

1. :chug:
2. :chug:
3. :drummer:
4. :argue:
5. :banana:
6. :drink:
7. :party:

Biggest worries:

1. When do we get MI back?
2. Is KL ok?
3. How can we protect Drew better?
4. How long will JG be out?
5. Will we get a pass rush this season?
6. Will our secondary hold up?
7. Will our receivers remember how to catch the ball?

Not necessarily in that order.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

the point of comparison is always 2009 Drew Brees. Most every other year - including record-setting 2011 - he looked more like the guy who misses short on half his deep passes and throws head-shaking dumb picks every once in a while.

2009 Drew Brees was something to behold though. That is the Drew we will always remember.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Brees. Never said I wanted another QB. I want Brees to clean up the decision-making. That's all I've said all along. These picks do not help our chances to come back and win this division. He has to clean it up if we want to make it to the playoffs. Can't throw 18-22 picks with the inability of our defense to force turnovers.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Here is a chart comparing Bress to Rodgers.

Statistically, over time, very similar.

In fact, since 2003, the trend line for Bress shows consistent improvement -- minus this shi++y year.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Like someone said earlier, I want the 2009 Brees with 34 TD/11 INT (13-2 record). Or the 2013 Brees with 39 TD/12 INT (11-5 record). Or the 2011 Brees with 46 TD/14 INT (13-3 record).

He's on pace to throw almost 700 times this year, more than any other year in his career. Play-calling has a lot to do with this conversation as well. 2014 Brees is on pace (roughly) for 29 TD/20 INT.

TDs trend up & INTs trend down, we win this division.

BTW, I don't want Rodgers...Brees is the heart & soul of this team and this area. Rodgers is not.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Seems like too many of us like to give #9 a mulligan on his play too often. If you get the stats and the glory, you should also be the goat when its deserved.
That being said, two things I've noticed this season:
1) His inability to hit a deep route in stride. Just about every deep shot, the receiver has had to pull up short when he had his defender beaten.
2) His inability to hit targets on short timing routes. In the past, he had the vision (and confidence in his receivers) to place that rock where he knew the receiver was going to be in the pattern. Now he's holding the ball longer and the window vs the defender closes faster.

Not sure if these are indicators of 'decline' per se, but his mechanics are definitely off.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

What a bunch of jumbled noise. I hate when people try to write funny/snarky columns like this. You're not funny!

And who's to say Brees is not in decline? I don't know how is arm feels or where his head is, and I don't claim to. I just know he's not playing so well. And he's not the only one. Colston has surely BEEN in decline, and that is not up for debate. The line has been ok in the run game but not so great against the pass. Everybody sees those things. It's not like it's one guy problem. But is Drew just struggling because of what's going on around him? Absolutely not. He has made some terrible decisions.

This stupid article wants to paint a picture of a bunch of meat heads who don't remember the past and have no ability to put anything into perspective. Don't get me wrong, those people definitely exist, but they have nothing to do with this. I, for one, am not basing my opinion on how many pick sixes he's thrown this year as opposed to any other year (which seems to be 90% of the basis of that crap above). That would be the meat head's argument. I'm looking at all of the decisions he's making, all of the underthrows, overthrows... Everything. We haven't seen these kinds of prolonged slumps too much.

Drew is one of my favorite people of all time, not just athlete, and I know he wants to play far better. I'm not down on the guy's character, but man, sometimes I don't know what he's thinking out there. When you're paid to be the franchise player, you know what's expected of you and I doubt Drew feels as complacent as this article wants the rest of us to be. There were high expectations for everyone on this team, and those expectations have not come close to being met. That's the bottom line. Nobody knows if he's physically in decline. But his play, lately, has been. As has been the case for many players on this team, unfortunately. What's wrong with saying that? Nobody cares when we complain about the defense, but it's morally wrong to question the play of the team leader?

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Exactly. It's not an indictment on his physical ability, necessarily, though some will disagree. But the timing is off. So many people are quick to just pass it off on the O-line, and while they deserve part of the blame, Drew definitely seems to be holding the ball way too long when he does have the time, as you pointed out. If people don't believe that then they aren't paying very close attention.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

:bng:

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Definitely True.
Which I fervently hope that the Saints defense figures out during the bye week. In short any journeyman looks like a HOF QB if there is no pressure... and every HOF QB looks like a journeyman under pressure.
I agree with all of this. It feels like he thinks he needs to carry the team because he doesn't trust the defense. But throwing picks is much worse than just punting the ball and hoping the defense will make a stop.
Now here I have to disagree. The Saints sucky 2-3 record is a collective team effort. There isn't any single unit, or virtually any single player or coach (except maybe Cooks) that is without blame for where the Saints are right now.

But Brees has to do his job. And the #1 job requirement for him is not to turn the ball over. On this so far he gets a solid 'D-'. It would be an 'F' except for the Minnesota game.
And that's why you and I are fans, and the players get paid millions of dollars.

SFIAH

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Oh, so you're not 100% in agreement with me? You suck. ;-)

That 2-3 record thing is obviously not all Brees, but those costly INTs were contributing factors in those 3 losses. They certainly didn't help matters; no one can deny that.

I just have to watch my 6 on here if I criticize Drew. I love that he's our QB, and believe it or not I'd take him over Manning, Brady, and Rodgers.

Re: Drew Brees Is Not in Decline — You Just Have Brees Nostalgia
 

Brees doesn't play O-line.......he plays QB. :roll: