For most teams, winning 13 games in a season would be considered a success. However, for the New Orleans Saints, it turned out to be a disappointment. New Orleans would lose in the wild card round at home to the Minnesota Vikings.
At age 41, Saints QB Drew Brees only has so much football left in him, thus losing in disappointing fashion to the Vikings was a massive blow to New Orleans. According to one of Brees’ former teammates, Deuce McAllister, Brees might not be the same player he once was, but he is still has a lot to give.
“Drew is the old man in the room, the old man in the building,” McAllister said last week via a video call. “It’s amazing to watch him be able to go out there and do it, and I think it shows you how well he’s prepared, how he’s changed, not only how well he works out, but what he eats, what he consumes. And then for him to be able to say, look, my body is okay, I think I can give it another run and then truly commit to it, I think that’s probably the most amazing part about it just because of the player that he is.
“Look, he’s not the Drew Brees of 2011, the Drew Brees of 2006 either, but I think he’s still good enough and he’s still an elite enough of a player that can command the huddle, has the respect of the players, and then the question is can he go out and do his job effectively. That’s the biggest question. You listen to Sean (Payton), and how they will manage his throws, how they even may manage some of the games he plays in. Look, we all know Drew, Drew is not going to want to miss one play. Drew, this one is over, you are up 21, and there are ten minutes left in the fourth quarter, get out. That’s not him. He’s preparing from a physical standpoint and a mental standpoint to be able to finish the game, but sometimes they have to protect Drew from himself in that instance just because he is so competitive.”
You wonder if there will be any issues with Brees after his recent comments about kneeling during the national anthem. To Brees’ credit, he did apologize, and it appears that everybody is on the same page.
Back in March, the Saints and Brees agreed to a two-year, $50 million contract. Last season, Brees, who missed five games due to a thumb injury, threw for 2979 yards with 27 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Brees was also selected to the Pro Bowl for the 13th time in his career. Barring injury, it’s clear the Saints can still rely on Brees, but at some point, 41 is going to look like 41, so the Saints must win now.
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