Do You Feel the Brees?
November 01, 2004
Pop quiz everyone: What quarterback has more touchdown passes this year than fantasy favorites Tom Brady and Matt Hasselback and less interceptions than all-everything players Daunte Culpepper and Peyton Manning? Any idea? What if I added that this player’s 106.8 quarterback rating ranks among the top numbers in the league?
The answer: San Diego Chargers’ quarterback Drew Brees. Yes, THAT Drew Brees. The same Drew Brees that had people in San Diego clamoring for Doug Flutie, Dave Dickinson and probably Dom DeLouise is being talked about as one of the biggest surprises in the league, especially after Sunday’s 22-for-25, five-touchdown performance against Oakland.
Overall, he has taken his lumps based on last year’s pathetic performance and produced nearly 1,600 passing yards with 14 touchdowns versus only three interceptions. Simply put, he’s been this year’s most solid play besides the “immaculate three” (Culpepper, Manning, Donovan McNabb). With that being said, I need someone to let me in on something: why can’t anyone respect Drew Brees?
Maybe you’re sitting there, thinking, “What are you talking about? Brees has been unbelievable lately, and I love the guy.” Maybe you have him starting in every league you play in, but more likely you’re sitting at your computer staring at your screen and saying, “You idiot! You actually think he can keep this up! HA!” You wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole. It’s only a matter of time before the other shoe drops, right?
Well, for all you folks saying that, I have a Jeopardy! answer for you to go Ken Jennings on: Saints, Raiders, Chiefs, Broncos, Buccaneers, Browns, Colts, Chiefs again. If you responded, “Who Drew Brees will face the rest of the way?” then give yourself a smilie face sticker, because you are exactly correct. As the immortal Woody Paige would say on Around the Horn, “Look at the schedule, guys!”
Let’s look at it. We’re talking about the Saints who allowed more than 600 yards of total offense to the Minnesota Vikings and earlier made Ken Dorsey look like a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback. We’re talking about a Raider team who Brees just torn apart to the tune of five touchdown passes. And I think we all know about the defensive prowess of the Chiefs and Colts. Tampa and Cleveland could be challenging, but Denver looks to have a suddenly discovered defensive soft spot.
There’s more reason than the schedule to think hard about picking up Brees if he is available in your league, though. While everyone talks about the high-powered Colt and Chief offenses, a lot of people are looking past the skill players Scottenheimer has to work with right now. Brees has developed a great rapport with his three top receivers (Antonio Gates, Eric Parker and Keenan McCardell). He has a speed man many teams are always looking for in the always underrated Tim Dwight. But things start in SD with LaDanian Tomlinson. As long he (and quality backup Jesse Chatman) is running the ball, Brees will have lanes to throw the ball into.
Point is, eventually common sense has to take effect at some point. I admit, I was among those who were waiting for Brees to fall off the map earlier in the season. Now Brees has a pretty large star on that map, people. There’s no reason to doubt him now. He is quite simply, the truth – for the Chargers, who must be beginning to feel as though they wasted a first-round draft pick on Philip Rivers a mere six months ago.
Ignore last season’s 11-15 touchdown-to-interception ratio; it’s time to put some faith in the San Diego Brees.
WHAT THE HECK GAME OF THE WEEK
If anyone had Giants’ RB Mike Cloud starting this weekend, you no doubt thought you were in a lot of trouble Sunday morning. Monday morning, though, you were feeling pretty good with a nine carry, 52-yard, two-touchdown performance. But all you waiver wire vultures beware – this will not happen again. Ever. In the history of mankind.
RUNNING SPECULATIONS:
-- I think we can say it now: TE Eric Johnson, as great as he has been, is absolutely worthless without QB Tim Rattay under center.
-- I guess we can pretty much forget about the start of the Chris Simms era in Tampa. When he returns, I have a better chance of taking the field for the suddenly rejuvenated Bucs.
-- Notice how quick the RB speculation started in Minnesota after Mewelde Moore’s early fumble. If you held onto Michael Bennett throughout his injury, you may start reaping benefits soon.
-- How long can Washington Redskins’ coach Joe Gibbs stick with QB Mark Brunell? Despite a bad performance earlier this year against the New York Giants, Patrick Ramsey may be worth taking a flyer on soon.
-- Despite Anthony Thomas’ performance against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday night, beware… same goes for Sammy Morris after last weekend.
-- When will Ben Roethlisberger’s “Welcome to the NFL” game come?
-- In Buffalo, who knew that “co-starters” meant a 30-1 carry split. Travis Henry’s days with the Bills are numbered.
MONDAY NIGHT'S PICK (BESIDES MONDAY NIGHT RAW, THAT IS)
This would seem like an easy choice, but the Dolphins showed some signs of life with last week's big win over St. Louis. Sammy Morris was the engine starter that day, and he looks to be hampered tonight if he plays at all. Doesn't look good for the Fins. The defense keeps it close, but the lack of O in Miami is too much to overcome. Jets, 24-16.
Posted by Chuck Ludwig: Nov 1 at 5:33 PM
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Good call on the game. And Miami couldn't stop the run to save their lives.