Brees staying injury-free is preseason key for Saints

By Connor Byrne  |   Wednesday, August 09, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

New Orleans Saints
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Other than the drafting of Heisman Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush, the biggest story of the New Orleans Saints' eventful offseason was the acquisition of quarterback Drew Brees. The former San Diego Chargers' signal caller was signed to a six-year, $60 million deal by the suddenly relevant Saints franchise, which compiled a 3-13 record last season - thanks largely to poor QB play.

Brees, who has experienced two straight standout campaigns, didn't come to Louisiana without baggage, however. In the Chargers' final game of the regular season in 2005, the 2001 first-round pick out of Purdue succumbed to a shoulder injury against the Denver Broncos, leading many to shy away from him in the free agency period back in March. The injury ended up being a torn labrum on his throwing shoulder, which has stopped plenty of quarterbacks from ever returning to their normal levels in the past.

After a long and painful era of the mistake-prone Aaron Brooks under center, the last thing New Orleans needed was to pass up a potential franchise passer. In fact, the Saints even put a clause in Brees' contract that only gives him $10 million in guaranteed money, so they can release him at any point without eating cap-killing amounts of cash. Truly, it was a calculated and intelligent move by an organization on the mend from the disasters of last season.

Though the 27-year-old isn't likely to see vast amounts of preseason snaps this month, the exhibition schedule will still be of high importance for the 6-foot, 209-pounder. All accounts out of New Orleans thus far have stated how solid the five-year veteran has looked in mini-camps and most recently, training camp. He's beginning to establish rapports with the team's top two receivers, four-time Pro Bowler Joe Horn and the talented Donte' Stallworth. The chances of the trio getting along and succeeding seem quite good as of now, and that couldn't make rookie head coach Sean Payton or the Saints' fans happier.

"He's a leader, a competitive guy. You can see the fire in him [Horn]," Brees told The Sporting News.

When the New Orleans Saints open up preseason play this Saturday against the Tennessee Titans, look for the entire city to be holding its breath if and when Brees is hit by a hulking opposing lineman. Nobody wants to see the Austin, TX native take a hit so early, but it may be the only way he regains confidence at such a young stage in the season.

Of course, the real test begins on Sept. 10, when Brees and the Saints travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns in the season opener.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

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