METAIRIE, La.– Drew Brees has not formally declared this his final NFL season. However like the rest of his New Orleans Saints colleagues, the quarterback is not shying away from defining this as a “Super Bowl or bust” season.
” Hey, at this time, guy, Im on borrowed time,” the 41-year-old stated on the eve of his 20th season. “Ive got absolutely nothing to lose. So Im turning it loose and letting the chips fall where they may.”
The Saints have actually won more regular-season video games than any group in the NFL over the previous 3 seasons (11-5, 13-3, 13-3), just to suffer three gut-wrenching playoff beats in the last seconds (the “Minneapolis Miracle,” the “No-call” and an overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings last season).
Brees, who will be an expert for NBC after he retires, stated he is hoping the previous playoff failures are simply the beginning to a 2nd Super Bowl title before he rides off into the sunset.
” I understand that whatever happens for a factor, and most of the times, failure is your finest teacher,” said Brees, who was the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV in February 2010. “Thats the method Ive constantly taken, and thats the technique this team has actually taken. And I feel like weve discovered a method to amass strength from each one of these moments over these last couple of years. And its only made us better.”
2 RelatedThe Saints backed up that mentality by strongly– but unsuccessfully– pursuing free-agent protective end Jadeveon Clowney over the weekend, in spite of having so little salary-cap area that they would require to use a special sign-and-trade concept to make it happen.
Pro Bowl left take on Terron Armstead particularly stated this as a “Super Bowl or bust” season at the start of training camp. And when asked about it a few days ago, he stated, “I said it. Im basing on it for sure. What else are we betting? Thats it; thats the only goal. Particularly for a group that truly feels like we can do it.
” For everybody included, every player, household, city, we require this,” Armstead stated. “Thats what were opting for.”
The Saints arent the only NFL team taking that technique this season. Their challenger on Sunday, the NFC South competing Tampa Bay Buccaneers, simply signed 43-year-old quarterback Tom Brady and drew tight end Rob Gronkowski out of retirement to attempt to make the playoffs for the first time considering that 2006.
This will be the first video game in NFL history in which both beginning quarterbacks are over the age of 40.
” Ive constantly used the term extend your prime,” Brees stated of the health and wellness techniques that have enabled both future Hall of Famers to extend their professions for so long. “At the end of the day, thats what were attempting to do. Dad Times gon na get us eventually, but were trying to beat him out right now.”
Saints coach Sean Payton, who has been responding to concerns about Brees amazing durability for years, likes to make the contrast to an old image of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson smoking a cigarette at halftime of Super Bowl I– and how times have changed ever since.
” [Brady and Brees have] truly kind of broken the rules relative to age and how far theyve gone into their careers,” Payton said. “And I think youll continue to see that a growing number of. We understand more now relative to recovery; we know more now relative to sleep and nutrition, and I believe well point to two players like that.
” And I simply think the drive, the determination, the ability– and when you put all those things together, you get unusual, rare gamers.”
One of those wellness strategies is Bradys TB12 supplement line, which Payton shared an anecdote about on Wednesday.
” Toms got that whole TB12 line. He had me buying the water in the offseason and it was wonderful,” Payton said with a chuckle. “Only the emails do not stop coming. And I told him, Can you stop sending me e-mails? And then he deliberately went to the business and now theyre doubled. Every morning I wake up, Ive got ta eliminate about 15 TB12 e-mails.”
ESPNs Jenna Laine added to this report.
” Hey, at this time, guy, Im on obtained time,” the 41-year-old stated on the eve of his 20th season.” I know that whatever happens for a reason, and in a lot of cases, failure is your best instructor,” stated Brees, who was the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV in February 2010. Pro Bowl left deal with Terron Armstead specifically declared this as a “Super Bowl or bust” season at the start of training camp. And when asked about it the other day, he stated, “I stated it.” Ive constantly utilized the term prolong your prime,” Brees stated of the health and wellness methods that have actually permitted both future Hall of Famers to extend their careers for so long.
