FanPost

Drew Brees vs. Kurt Warner

By now, every Saints fan should know that Drew Brees is having an MVP-caliber season; that the Saints have the league's top-ranked offense, mainly due to the prolific passing game; and, most famously, that he's on track to break one of Dan Marino's last records: passing yards in a season.

What has gotten lost in all the background noise is that Drew has a rival who is also on pace to break Marino's record. Kurt Warner of the Cardinals is being heavily touted as an MVP candidate as well; but most don't realize that if things continue as they have, he too will break Marino's record...and may very well pass up Brees before the end of the year.

Arizona faces Philadelphia, New England, St. Louis, Minnesota, and Seattle to finish out the year. Only Philadelphia is at all formidable on paper: they boast the league's fifth-ranked pass defense. The others are ranked 18th, 21st, 22nd, and 31st.

The Saints, on the other hand, play Tampa Bay, Carolina, Detroit, Atlanta, and Chicago. Their rankings are 2nd, 9th, 19th, 23rd, and 30th. Clearly, Brees will be facing tougher competition down the stretch.

When it comes to MVP consideration, Brees and Warner are nearly equal. Brees has thrown for more yards by the slimmest of margins; but he has also thrown for more completions of 20+ and 40+ yards. He has more TDs (1), but also more interceptions (3). Warner has more attempts, more completions, and a higher completion percentage than Brees. He also has a higher passer rating--102.4 against 99.9.

Perhaps more importantly, Warner plays for an unexpectedly good team. Nobody believed the Cardinals would be this good, and Warner is getting much of the credit for their success. Brees and the Saints, on the other hand, were chic picks to make a deep playoff run--even into the Super Bowl. Brees gets less credit for the phenomenal year he's having because everyone expected if of him; few expected Warner or the Cardinals to be this good.

The record, of course, will be what it will be--not a matter of opinion. But the MVP vote will most likely be determined by the Saints' success as a team: if they make the playoffs, Drew Brees is a legitimate MVP. If they don't, then no matter how good a statistical season he had, it will be perceived as a failed campaign, and Warner will get the nod.

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.