Cool Brees forecast for Saturday

By Darrell Laurant  |   Thursday, August 10, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

New Orleans Saints
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New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees says he's actually looking forward to taking a few hits in the Saints' opening preseason game at Tennessee on Saturday.

Given the injury-depleted state of the Saints' offensive line, he may not have to wait long.

"It sounds crazy, but I am looking forward to that," said Brees, who is anxious to test his surgically repaired right shoulder in actual combat. "Once the game starts, I won't think about my shoulder."

Saints coach Sean Payton was less cavalier.

"I'm not looking forward to seeing our quarterbacks get tackled," he said.

Several days ago, Brees aired it out for the first time in a scrimmage, lofting a 55-yard pass that wideout Devery Henderson took away from two defenders in the end zone. It was Brees' longest throw of the preseason, but he noted: "I've actually gotten stronger every day, as I anticipated. I've had a plan through the entire offseason, for each phase."

Receiver Donte Stallworth agreed.

"I don't think anybody who looks at Drew now sees a guy who just had shoulder surgery," Stallworth told ESPN.

The next phase comes in Nashville, and Payton said he'll probably only play Brees for a quarter before sending in backups Jamie Martin and Todd Bouman.

Payton will also call all the plays, as is his custom.

"I heard so many great things about Sean," said Brees. "He knows this offense like the back of his hand. We got into this point where he calls a play and I know exactly why he called it."

Although not physically impressive by NFL standards at 6-feet, 209 pounds, Brees was a Pro Bowl choice in 2004 and performed even better last season, when he threw for 3,570 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was hurt in the second quarter of the final game of the season when Denver DT Gerard Warren fell on his shoulder, tearing the labrum.

It was a bad injury, and the Saints took a big gamble. Even the Chargers seemed to back off on Brees, casting their lot instead with Philip Rivers. Miami passed on him. But New Orleans believed the six-year veteran when he guaranteed he'd be ready for the season.

With that in mind, the Saints jettisoned the quarrelsome Aaron Brooks and invested all their hopes in Brees. So far, so good.

Brees came to New Orleans in the steamy summertime to practice routes with top receiver Joe Horn and help organize a benefit he and Deuce McAllister will host to benefit New Orleans-area children victimized by Hurricane Katrina.

"He's a stand-up guy," was the assessment on Brees by DE Will Smith.

For his part, Sean Payton would like to see Brees remain standing on Saturday.

- Get more original New Orleans Saints coverage at Realfootball365.com
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