February 2nd, 2010 10:17pm PST
FOOTBALL TALK
Looking Under the Hood
"A Star has Arrived"
When you examine the body of work that Saints quarterback Drew Brees has put together it should be no surprise to see him on the big stage. What is the surprise; this will be his first trip.
A long awaited arrival if you sit in the Brees camp, but one that is surely overdo if you consider his road traveled. Statistically his numbers match or surpass those with the name of Manning, Brady, or Favre. The Saints signal caller has been as good as any other at the position and the team's conference leading 13 wins this season (38 wins last four seasons) should put an exclamation on how good this winner is.
Over the past four seasons Brees (18,298 yards, 122 touchdowns) has managed to define his legacy as one of the leagues purest pocket passers. His first appearance in the big dance should not only legitimize him as an elite passer, but rightfully place him among the best we have been fortunate enough to watch over the past decade.
He may not win the coveted hardware this try around, but if you have been paying attention over the past couple seasons you too will realize this is likely not his last opportunity.
More fantasy Notes
The Colts middle linebacker Gary Brackett has been the mainstay in the middle all season. Bracket once again finished among the team leaders (2nd on the club) in tackles this past season with 99 (has led team twice). He will be a big key inside if the Colts have any hopes of making the Saints well balanced offense one dimensional. Thus far in the playoffs Brackett leads the club with 13 total tackles (including one sack).
The Saints needed something to rejuvenate a defense that lacked a true identity, what they found in the offseason was a leader who brought what the defense lacked; swagger. Darren Sharper always known as a playmaker helped to remake the defense (in particular the secondary) into one of the league’s most opportunistic (39 takeaways in 2009). Sharper led the club with 9 picks and took three back to the house for six.
By David Ortega
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