Published: Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Brees at the top
Saints quarterback is AP Offensive Player of Year
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Associated Press
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who threw for 5,069 yards to become just second NFL quarterback to eclipse 5,000 yards passing in a season.
NEW YORK -- Drew Brees understood what breaking a record set by Dan Marino would mean to the New Orleans Saints.
So coming up 15 yards short was disappointing to the Saints quarterback, who won The Associated Press 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award Tuesday.
Brees threw for 5,069 yards, 15 fewer than Marino's 1984 mark and only the second time someone has eclipsed 5,000 yards passing in a season.
"The only reason I still even think about it is because I know how much it would have meant to the offensive line and the skill position guys," Brees said. "Those guys were 10 times more upset than I was about not getting the record. I just feel like they really, especially down the stretch, looked at that as something that, for all the heartache and all the ups and downs we had this season, that was something they hang their hats on. So that's who I wanted to get it for."
Although the Saints were 8-8 and didn't make the playoffs, Brees performed so well he earned 22 votes in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league.
"I don't come out from week to week and say I have to throw for 300 (yards)," Brees said. "I don't think about that. It's really about what I can do to help this team win. Certainly in this offense, being the quarterback, you're in the driver's seat. You have the opportunity to control every play and have it in your hands."
Brees tied with San Diego Philip Rivers, his former teammate with the Chargers, with a league-leading 34 touchdown passes. Brees was fourth in passer rating (96.2) and led the league in attempts (635) and completions (413).
He also spent much of the season without key weapons like receiver Marques Colston, running back Reggie Bush and tight end Jeremy Shockey, who were plagued by injuries.
Yet Brees kept throwing -- and connecting.
"Each year I've gotten better, especially over the last five years," he said. "I really feel like I've refined my routine and continued to find what works for me. ... by doing so, I make myself a better player."
He is the perfect player for coach Sean Payton's system.
"When you look at the body of work for him and you look at what he's been able to do with the number of guys being hurt," Payton said, "you look at his efficiency down the field with throws over 20 yards, over 30 yards. His completion percentage, his red zone, his third-down scoring offense, he's first in every one of those categories. He's worked extremely hard, and when you see what he does in preparation during the work week, it's amazing."
So coming up 15 yards short was disappointing to the Saints quarterback, who won The Associated Press 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award Tuesday.
Brees threw for 5,069 yards, 15 fewer than Marino's 1984 mark and only the second time someone has eclipsed 5,000 yards passing in a season.
"The only reason I still even think about it is because I know how much it would have meant to the offensive line and the skill position guys," Brees said. "Those guys were 10 times more upset than I was about not getting the record. I just feel like they really, especially down the stretch, looked at that as something that, for all the heartache and all the ups and downs we had this season, that was something they hang their hats on. So that's who I wanted to get it for."
Although the Saints were 8-8 and didn't make the playoffs, Brees performed so well he earned 22 votes in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league.
"I don't come out from week to week and say I have to throw for 300 (yards)," Brees said. "I don't think about that. It's really about what I can do to help this team win. Certainly in this offense, being the quarterback, you're in the driver's seat. You have the opportunity to control every play and have it in your hands."
Brees tied with San Diego Philip Rivers, his former teammate with the Chargers, with a league-leading 34 touchdown passes. Brees was fourth in passer rating (96.2) and led the league in attempts (635) and completions (413).
He also spent much of the season without key weapons like receiver Marques Colston, running back Reggie Bush and tight end Jeremy Shockey, who were plagued by injuries.
Yet Brees kept throwing -- and connecting.
"Each year I've gotten better, especially over the last five years," he said. "I really feel like I've refined my routine and continued to find what works for me. ... by doing so, I make myself a better player."
He is the perfect player for coach Sean Payton's system.
"When you look at the body of work for him and you look at what he's been able to do with the number of guys being hurt," Payton said, "you look at his efficiency down the field with throws over 20 yards, over 30 yards. His completion percentage, his red zone, his third-down scoring offense, he's first in every one of those categories. He's worked extremely hard, and when you see what he does in preparation during the work week, it's amazing."
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