Cooking Camaraderie: Saints’ Drew Brees and Kenny Stills Quickly Becoming a Dangerous Duo in the NFL

Nov 10, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates a touchdown pass with wide receiver Kenny Stills (84) against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Cowboys 49-17. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Since the New Orleans Saints drafted WR Kenny Stills out of the University of Oklahoma in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, I knew the organization had found a special player.  In fact, in a blog post I produced during last year’s preseason, before my time with Who Dat Dish, I dubbed the term “Kenny Steals.”

I thought his athletic abilities and college resume should have earned him a higher spot in the draft, but they didn’t.  And to the teams who allowed the Big-12 standout to fall into the brilliant hands of Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis, we thank you — sincerely, Who Dat Nation.

Stills finished his rookie season in the Big Easy with 32 receptions for 641 yards and five touchdowns.  His 20 yards per catch average (No. 8 overall in the NFL) led all wide receivers that had at least 20 snags on the year.

In 11 games played in 2014, Kenny has already surpassed his numbers from 2013 with 44 catches and 691 yards.  Since WR Brandin Cooks was shutdown for the year after undergoing surgery on a broken thumb he suffered in the Week 11 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Stills has been an absolute animal on the football field.

In the past two weeks alone, the Bob Stoops product has tallied 14 catches, 260 yards and a score for a staggering 22.3 yards per catch average.  One of those receptions against the Pittsburgh Steelers was the longest play from scrimmage this year for the Black and Gold.  Okay, Stills and QB Drew Brees have been a threat for the past two seasons, but the danger level they pose to opposing defenses is rapidly developing.  The camaraderie is real.

“The thing about Kenny that I like the most is he’s a problem solver.  In most cases, when we install a new route or maybe a new route concept, or just a variation of something we’re doing, we usually just kind of tell him,” Brees explained to the media Wednesday after noon.

“He’s a guy that you don’t have to overcoach, so I think he’s also a guy that doesn’t feel like there’s any situation that’s too big.  He’s a guy who can go out there with the same demeanor no natter what the situation, do what’s asked of him, make the play and kind of rise to the occasion,” Drew continued.

“I see it everyday out here.  I would say his attention to detail and just kind of understanding that his role has increased with Brandin (Cooks) going down,” as the Pro Bowl gunslinger wrapped up his thoughts on his wide receiver.

Drew Brees and Kenny Stills have, are and will continue to cause harm.  With four weeks remaining in the regular season and Brandin Cooks out for the year, a 1,000-yards season is not out of the question for No. 84, especially being the deep threat that he is.

The Saints host the Carolina Panthers and their 17th ranked pass defense on Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.  Stills could be in for another huge game.  As he continues to pile up stats in the second half of the season and in fantasy leagues, New Orleans also looks to pile up wins and make a playoff push.