Brees Looks Like the Unstoppable Force of '09
Clifton Brown - SportingNews.com
Sep 21, 2009
PHILADELPHIA -- Drew Brees is on a pace to throw 72 touchdown passes this season.
That tells you how potent the Saints' offense is. They steamrolled the Eagles, 48-22, as Brees (25-for-34, 311 yards, three touchdowns, one interception) made the Eagles look like they were playing with only 10 defenders.
"Drew Brees is an animal," Eagles cornerback Joselio Hanson said. "We couldn't stop them once they got down in our end."
The 2009 season still is in its infancy, but the Saints' offense is fully grown. When Brees shredded the Lions for six touchdown passes in Week 1, you could blame it on Detroit's defensive deficiencies. But by torching the Eagles on their home turf, the Saints (2-0) sent a signal that they intend to be in the NFC playoff picture.
Questions remain about the Saints' defense, but offensively they have all the pieces. They have a great quarterback, he has a ton of playmakers, the running game is improved and coach Sean Payton is an innovative play-caller. Brees sensed during preseason that this could be a special year for the Saints, similar to 2006, when they reached the NFC championship game.
"Obviously, we have very high expectations for ourselves," Brees said. "We see this window of opportunity that we have. I would say the confidence level right now is way higher than it was in 2006.
"Believe it or not, I still think we can get better. That's a lot of points against a pretty good defense, on the road, in a hostile environment. Then again, we believe every time we touch the ball, we're going to go and get points."
Brees completed passes to nine receivers Sunday, and Marques Colston caught two touchdown passes. In the Saints' locker room after the game, both Colston and tight end Jeremy Shockey (four catches, 49 yards) said they felt healthier than they had in years. Eagles fans greeted Shockey with boos, still holding hostility toward him from his days with the Giants. Shockey rather enjoyed it, and he enjoyed the victory even more.
"I think some people in this locker room don't realize how hard it is to win in this place," Shockey said. "We did a great job."
The Saints' offense is playing with swagger. The Eagles are still searching for it.
Without Donovan McNabb (fractured rib), the Eagles went wild with the Wildcat formation. They started Kevin Kolb at quarterback but gave the Saints more looks than Beyonce gets walking down Fifth Avenue. In the first half, Brian Westbrook, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Kolb all took direct snaps from center. Was it entertaining? Yes. Was it effective? Not always.
When it was over, Eagles coach Andy Reid said Kolb (31-for-51, 391 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions) would start next week vs. Kansas City if McNabb is not ready. But it is clear that Wildcat or no Wildcat, McNabb or no McNabb, the Eagles (1-1) are still a work in progress.
"There were too many mistakes, and that's my responsibility," Reid said. "It wasn't right today, any phase of it. It was an absolutely horrendous performance."
Things will get even more interesting this week when Michael Vick is activated. Imagine some of the plays Reid might draw up with Vick in the lineup.
Vick and the Eagles will be discussed plenty during the week, but Sunday was the Saints' day. Through two weeks, they have the most potent offense in the NFL.
"I take my hat off to (Brees)," Eagles safety Quintin Mikell said. "We got our butts kicked today."
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
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