Super Bowl's “Other” Quarterback

Friday, 05 February 2010 00:00

Saints’ Drew Brees is the shortest starting quarterback in the NFL, and he had to overcome that stigma to become one of the league’s best.

Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning is 6-feet-5 and strong, the prototypical QB, trying to win his second Super Bowl, which would convince some he’s the greatest of all time.

It’s probably driving Brees nuts this week that he is the “other” quarterback in Super Bowl XLIV.

Brees, who says he’s 6-feet tall, has an enormous competitive drive, which helped him succeed when many thought he didn’t measure up to make it in the NFL. He’s also a great athlete, and smart too. His teammates rave about Brees’ ability to get the football to the right guy most of the time. He has a great feel for the game, one that makes his split-second decisions look so easy. He’s proof that seeing the field is possible for a shorter QB. It also shows that spinning your head is the most important aspect of playing quarterback.

Brees is as good as any at getting through his progressions. His receivers say Brees often knows where he’s going with the football before the ball is even snapped.

“Drew pretty much demands the best of you,” Saints receiver Robert Meachem said. “When he gives you that look in the huddle, he’s like, OK, I’m coming to you, now go make a play, and make me right.” That’s what you do. You try to make him right.”

He’s been right a lot. In his four seasons with New Orleans, Brees has averaged 4,574 yards and 31 TD passes per season. That’s the best four-year yardage run by any QB ever.

After San Diego let him go in 2006, the Saints signed him to a six-year, $60 million contract even though he had problems raising his right arm after surgery. It was a risk at the time, but it‘s paid off in a big way. The Saints are now working on an extension of Brees’ contract.

“You have to go through some tough times and fight through adversity in order to get to this kind of level and have this kind of opportunities.” Brees said. “Had you not gone through some of those things earlier in the history of this organization or in my own career, you wouldn’t have learned the lessons you learned in order to get there – have that chip on your shoulder or have the motivation we have to be here and take part in the Super Bowl.”

Brees works harder than any of his teammates, and spends time after each practice working with his receivers. He’s often business-like in his approach, and the offensive huddle can be testy when Brees is that mood.

“He’s focused even in practice, all the time,” Saints center Jonathan Goodwin said.

Stories said that he doesn’t play with a chip on his shoulder, but the truth is that he does. He repeatedly waved off the notion that the doubters bothered him, but also made some comments that proved otherwise.

Brees is the ultimate competitor, that’s the main reason why a 6-foot passer who sure doesn’t look the part can become one of the NFL greats.

“I like competition” said Brees. He will do his best Sunday to demonstrate that he’s not the “other” quarterback in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami.

Check out the betting lines at BetPhoenix.com Sportsbook and put a wager on your favorite team in the NFL’s championship game.

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Super Bowl's “Other” Quarterback

Super Bowl's “Other” Quarterback

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