Pay The Man
 

This is mostly Zach Streif talking about Drew. It's why I'm so adamant about paying him whatever is required to pay him, regardless of what happens this weekend. It's stuff we all know, but Zach really puts it in perspective.

John DeShazier: What makes Drew Brees Drew Brees?

Re: Pay The Man
 

I'm all for paying him again. He's still playing great and I don't think there will be a substantial drop off anytime soon. Those who think he's done just don't know football as well as they think they do.

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Thank-ooo. Good points all. Things we don't see or know.

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I don't think many people would say he's done. A drop off and having nothing left, like Peyton a couple of years ago, are different things.

I would not expect a teammate to talk crap about his QB, but I'm sure there is still plenty of merit to what Zach is saying. Still don't see him as the same player he used to be. Pay up whatever you want, Saints. It'll be no skin off my back either way.

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Just watched the Washington game on NFL network ... If you can watch Brees during the last 5 minutes that pushed the game into overtime for the win ... And still not support "Pay The Man" ...

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Why does it take til the last five minutes to show up against a 7-9 team? These are the kinds of things I've never bought into. There was a time when Brees was consistently great in the two minute drill of either half. The last couple of years have been hit or miss. I don't see that as an intangible thing, but rather a very tangible thing.

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There is no question Drew Brees is an elite QB in the NFL. Just hope the price doesn't go too high, the Saints still have a defense they are trying to build into greatness. I am afraid it will be difficult to keep adding to the team when guys like Garoppolo and Cousins are likely to push $30 million per year.

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Sign him for another 4 years. He's good for it and will allow someone to train next to him and have the ability to come along slowly.

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When Brees had the prolonged negotiations and got the big payday we lost a key o-lineman. Last time he took a team-friendly salary, and now we are in good shape financially, and of course as a team.

No one can begrudge anyone for going for what they feel they're worth. However , as a middle class earner, it's fair to ask, 'how much more does he need?'

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If the Saints didn't pay Brees, another team would have.

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...and nothing has changed since then. The bottom line is that if the Saints wants Brees to continue, then they will negotiate with Brees' squad whatever it takes to get him to stay.

But burningmetal seems to be saying we need to get another QB in here and that Brees is no longer elite. I (like most here) are really trying to figure out who's house exactly do you plan to back to money truck to replace Brees. I posit that short of literally breaking the bank to get Garroppolo to sign, that none of the other free agents are worth the potential cost. By breaking the bank I mean 2 1st round picks to pry him away from the 49ers and then a long term contract for more than $30 million average.

The grass may be greener, but there's a reason that a $500,000 lawn costs that much.

The smarter path is to draft and train the replacement while continuing to award Brees short term cash contracts until he decided to bring his cleats to the HOF. In short, exactly the same contract as the last one with whatever raise Brees is willing to work with.

Finally let's not forget that Payton has been quoted saying the eventual replacement is already in the building. So it'll be interesting to see what happens with Taysom Hill in the preseason moving into 2018.

SFIAH

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you can not win when a player sucks up too much of the cap.

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This is the the year of the quarterback draft-wise: Rosen, Darnold, Mayfield, Jackson, Rudolph, et al. And what happens to Bridgewater, Bradford, Brissett, Cousins, and to a lesser degree Savage, Glennon, Hundley, and Foles? Should be interesting.

Maybe Hill can play- he certainly has the grit and heart.

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The Saints are $18 million in for Brees against the cap whether or not he's on the team or not in 2018. So while there is the issue of the cap, Brees' cost now for 2018 is only the marginal spending over $18 million. And restructuring can lower that number for Brees. But it cannot be lowered for anyone else.

SFIAH

Re: Pay The Man
 

The Saints will be blessed to have another QB remotely in his realm in our lifetime. The 49ers and Packers are the only teams that had this work out (Chargers?). Luck is still iffy. You keep an elite QB, period.

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It's easy to see how he earns his money. He makes smart decisions and gets the team places they would never be without him.

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The overall cap is growing at a greater rate than is Brees' salary. His percentage of cap is getting smaller and smaller. That said, average QB's (which most likely cannot lead a team to the championship) are now garnering more than Brees has been getting.

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Isn't Carr the highest paid QB?

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Nope. Stafford.

Note that both are currently not in the playoffs...

SFIAH

Re: Pay The Man
 

He’s not done. He’s also dealing with a lot less talent in the receiving corps and TE. Thomas is money but Coleman and Ginn haven’t helped much and Snead is non existent.

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No reason not to give him 2-3 more years. Whats the worst that could happen? He only gives us 25 tds and 4000 yards? Teams would kill for that! Let the man retire a Saint with every passing record. Not to often the Saints have something good going for them. Ride the Drew train SP.

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I didn't say anybody NEEDED to replace Brees. I'm saying pay for what you get. If he wants to take a reasonable team friendly deal, keep him. But he may want to pursue the highest number. I'd not pay that for a 39 year old.

You are wondering who I'd replace him with, but I've already answered that in a similar thread. Drew Is playing on a very similar level to Alex Smith, and he's going to be available. He's not a spring chicken (and obviously he doesn't have the overall reputation), but he has enough years left that you could theoretically sign him for a 3-4 year deal at a cheaper cost, and bridge the gap while the team looks to develop a long term replacement.

Or you can use the same strategy with Brees, except that you'll potentially be paying through the nose and might lose the nucleus of your team before you have another QB ready. I hear the same arguments, year after year, that the cap will rise. Of course it will... And so will the inflation of contracts. People never seem to account for inflation. Football doesn't work like capitalism where you earn your way up. Free agency causes bidding wars that drive up the costs of contracts, and we all know this.

I understand it would hurt many to see Drew go. I get it. And to be clear, this isn't a prediction I'm making, but just an opinion. I don't think there is much chance they will let Drew walk, because teams are notorious for hanging on to "face of the franchise" players and milking everything they can out of them. I am very aware of this fact.

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Nope, Drew, Brady and Rogers have never led their teams to a championship. Wait a minute............

Re: Pay The Man
 

Show than man the money...