Saints: Putting Drew Brees in New Orleans in perspective

Writing the script

Without doubt, to this point it’s been not only one of the more remarkable comeback stories for a player in the NFL, but one that coincides with a city’s comeback. It’s a special thing in the NFL’s history.

From 1967 to 2005, the Saints had little to hang their hats on. Archie Manning’s career here was storied but mostly for him being a great QB mired on a franchise with little hope. We got Mora and the Dome Patrol and found a nice amount of success, but that was dashed when Mora moved on. We got to see the greatness of our three Hall of Fame players, Rickey Jackson, Willie Roaf, and Morten Andersen.

But now, we are witness to a different type of greatness. For the last 12+ seasons, Drew Brees has been on an all-out assault on the NFL record books. Due to playing in New Orleans, a smaller media market, and playing on teams that were not always great, he’s toiled in relative obscurity. As well, he’s played in the era of three of the best QB’s of all time: Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady.

Not many noticed as Drew Brees seemingly quietly passed for 5,000 yards five times. People seem astonished when you explain to them that Brees’ completion percentage is the highest in NFL history – and it’s better this year thus far than ever. His assault on the record books would be magnified if the Saints had won two to three Super Bowls or if Brady weren’t amassing rings like Brees amasses yards and touchdowns.

But here he is today, the most prolific passer in the history of the NFL. He got there quicker than Manning or Favre. And he’s still playing. The record book might have to be tossed out and redone by the time Brees is done with it.

Saints fans are fantastic. They’ve been behind this team for five decades now, through good and bad. Sure, there were paper bag years, but we still showed up. This isn’t a place like several where the fans simply don’t support their team. Saints fans have been cheering through the ups and the (more common) downs.

It’s only fitting that these fans get to witness the greatness that is Drew Brees. It’s only fitting that he calls this home. It’s only fitting that his resurgence came with the city’s ascension from devastating loss. And today and for some time to come, we get to say WE have the most prolific QB in the history of the game. It’s time for New Orleans to be better than other cities with something.

Congratulations to Drew Brees, for becoming the all-time passing yards king and completions king this season. We look forward soon to the TD mark too, when Brees will have the trifecta of QB records. And congratulations to New Orleans; for coming back from Katrina, and for sticking with the Saints through lean times. You’ve earned Brees, and all the accolades that go with his success.