Fans around the world watch and wait for NFL teams to finalize their 53-man rosters, after which the franchises may declare a 10-man practice squad, up from the 8 players they were allowed previously.
As we've counted down the last 50 days until the New Orleans Saints begin their regular season in Atlanta, on September 7th, we've been getting to know a little bit about those players who have signed on to bring home another Lombardi trophy.
Today, we take a brief look at quarterback Drew Brees!
So, with no more ado:
9 DAYS UNTIL ATLANTA!!!
#9 QB Drew Brees (14th Year)
Possibly the greatest pick up in the history of free agency, Drew Brees has had an unprecedented impact on the New Orleans Saints since he arrived in 2006 from the San Diego Chargers. Coming off of a career-threatening shoulder injury, Brees first visited with the Miami Dolphins before coming to New Orleans. However, Nick Saban decided that he didn't like Drew's chances of rebounding -- roughly 25%, according to doctors at the time -- and decided to go with Daunte Culpepper instead. That decision changed the life of Drew Brees, the Saints franchise, and the city of New Orleans forever.
Since Drew joined forces with Sean Payton, the team has become one of the most high-powered offenses in the NFL, largely thanks to the arm of the biggest star in New Orleans. Thanks to his performance since joining the Saints, no conversation about elite quarterbacks is complete without mentioning Drew Brees. He has shattered team and league passing records, has been voted to the Pro Bowl seven times as a Saint (eight total), has been named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year after three seasons, and has had numerous other titles and awards bestowed upon him. Of his many football accolades, possibly the most important to the quarterback and his fans alike was leading the 2009 squad to victory in Super Bowl XLIV, for which he was also named the contest's Most Valuable Player.
The elite Saints quarterback has become only the second player in NFL history to pass for over 4,000 yards in eight-straight campaigns – including an NFL-record four 5,000-yard passing seasons. He set what was the league single-season mark with 5,476 passing yards in 2011, and since joining the Saints has set single-season league records in 300-yard passing games (13, 2011), completion percentage (71.2, 2011) and completions (468, 2011). And his streak of 54 consecutive games with a touchdown pass shattered a mark that had stood since 1960. The only quarterback within reach of that record, Peyton Manning, would have to throw a touchdown pass in every game this season in order to surpass that mark in Week 17.
Last season, Brees was selected to his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl as he completed 446 of 650 passes (68.6%) for 5,162 yards with 39 touchdowns and a 104.7 passer rating, finishing among NFL leaders in all statistical categories. Since 2006, he leads the NFL with 38,733 passing yards, 4,990 attempts, 3,356 completions and 283 TD passes. Drew's record as a starter for the Saints is 80-47 (.629) in the regular season and 6-4 (.600) in the postseason. Brees also has thrown for over 300 yards in 71 games with the Saints, including 10 contests with over 400, which is ranked third in NFL record books. Overall in his 13-year NFL career, he’s completed 4,481 of 6,799 passes (65.9%) for 51,081 yards, 363 touchdowns and a 95.3 passer rating.
Drew Brees is the second-most accurate passer in NFL history (behind Chad Pennington), ranks fourth in completions and touchdowns, ranks fifth in yardage, and owns the seventh-best passer rating. And as great of a quarterback as he is, he is also well known as a pillar of the community who takes an active role in various philanthropic interests. He is also proud to have had four children born in New Orleans, and says he looks forward to raising them in the city that has been a welcoming home to him and his family.
Contract:
5 yr(s) / $100,000,000. Average $20,000,000 per year through 2016.