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Why Drew Brees is still an elite QB
Posted on 6/21/16 at 3:27 pm
Posted on 6/21/16 at 3:27 pm
Pro Football Focus
Believe Brees is on the decline? Josh Liskiewitz explains why the Saints QB still belongs in the discussion among the NFL's best. June 20, 2016
Pro Football Focus
Believe Brees is on the decline? Josh Liskiewitz explains why the Saints QB still belongs in the discussion among the NFL's best. June 20, 2016
Pro Football Focus
quote:
Last week, colleague Sam Monson put together a list of the best 101 players currently in the NFL. While the fact that there were seven quarterbacks among the top 42 players should not be a surprise (and neither should the names), the ranking of Drew Brees as the seventh-best at his position could invite questions over whether the QB has truly taken a step back from his perennially elite level.
In reality, however, Brees is still one of the very best quarterbacks in the NFL. Let’s take a look at four big reasons why:
He quietly had an outstanding season last year
Brees checked in at fourth in PFF quarterback grades last season, behind only Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, Arizona’s Carson Palmer and New England’s Tom Brady.
quote:
Brees ranked sixth in QB rating overall, and third in QB rating when getting rid of the ball in 2.5 seconds or less, which accounted for essentially 60 percent of his passes. He finished second in both yards on deep passes (thrown 20 or more yards downfield), at 1,180, and in deep adjusted completion percentage, at 50.6 percent.
His supporting cast last season wasn’t great — and looks to be better for 2016
While Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers rightfully gets a pass on his subpar 2015 because of the play of the Packers’ receiving corps, which struggled without injured No. 1 target Jordy Nelson, it’s worth noting that Brees did not have much help, either. Brandin Cooks, his highest-graded receiver, ranked just 36th at his position in the league in PFF grades (No. 2 target Willie Snead ranked 38th).
Looking ahead to 2016, there is reason for more optimism for Brees’ supporting cast than there was last year. At tight end, Ben Watson performed admirably last year in replacing Brees’ former top target, Jimmy Graham, but he is a limited athlete, and the addition of free agent Coby Fleener this offseason should be a strong upgrade to New Orleans’ passing game. The Saints also drafted Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas in Round 2 of this year’s draft, and he could be the true No. 1 receiver that Brees simply hasn’t had with the Saints.
His consistency has been remarkable
The pecking order at the top of the league is always going to be a hot topic for debate, especially at the QB position, and it’s understandable why younger players like Carolina’s Cam Newton and Seattle’s Russell Wilson have been pushed ahead of Brees on many lists. But it’s worth noting that neither of those guys, or even Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger or Arizona’s Carson Palmer, have had the same level of sustained top-end play of Brees.
Since 2009, Brees has ranked in the top six of PFF QB grades every season. He has finished in the top four in deep accuracy in six of the past seven seasons, and has six top-three finishes in adjusted completion percentage in the PFF era.
The issue over his age has been overblown
Brees is clearly in the latter stages of his career, at 37 years old, and his body will catch up with him at some point. But not only is there little to suggest that has already happened, his age is comparable to other quarterbacks still considered to be elite players. New England’s Tom Brady turns 39 this August, and Palmer will be 37 in December.
Brees has missed just one start due to injury in the last decade, and considering how few hits he takes not only because of his solid offensive line, but also his own lack of self-inflicted pressure (we’ve charged 14 sacks to him over the last nine seasons, compared to 14 each of the past two seasons to Wilson), it’s reasonable to think he can continue to play at a very high level.
This post was edited on 6/21/16 at 3:44 pm
5
Posted on 6/21/16 at 3:33 pm to Mrwhodat
Posted on 6/21/16 at 3:36 pm to Mrwhodat
Whichever dumbass downvoted this should be banned.
Posted on 6/21/16 at 3:41 pm to BRL79
Whichever dumbass uses all caps in their title should be banned.
Posted on 6/21/16 at 3:41 pm to Hoodoo Man
I am honored, you found another one of my post, quickly. It's nice to have a fan. 
Posted on 6/21/16 at 3:42 pm to BRL79
yas nowe we needz to giv him moar monie
Posted on 6/21/16 at 3:47 pm to BRL79
Fair point. Quick cut and paste from the article. Was on phone. Multi-tasking. Thanks and take care. 
Posted on 6/21/16 at 6:21 pm to Mrwhodat
But has he climaxed?
Posted on 6/21/16 at 6:29 pm to Laaz2750
For Brittany's sake I hope so.
This post was edited on 6/21/16 at 6:30 pm
Posted on 6/21/16 at 6:38 pm to Mrwhodat
How many is too many when we talk about elite quarterbacks? It seems like so many could fit into that category.
Tom Brady
Drew Brees
Cam Newton
Carson Palmer
Aaron Rodgers
Big Ben
Russell Wilson
Andy Dalton
Derek Carr
Some of the above are undeniably elite, but others performed as elite quarterbacks last season. IMO, it's getting harder to distinguish quarterback categories because the NFL has shifted to such a pass heavy offensive gameplan. Simply looking at stats can skew the opinion of so many football fans.
Tom Brady
Drew Brees
Cam Newton
Carson Palmer
Aaron Rodgers
Big Ben
Russell Wilson
Andy Dalton
Derek Carr
Some of the above are undeniably elite, but others performed as elite quarterbacks last season. IMO, it's getting harder to distinguish quarterback categories because the NFL has shifted to such a pass heavy offensive gameplan. Simply looking at stats can skew the opinion of so many football fans.
Posted on 6/21/16 at 7:00 pm to TTsTowel
Cam is not elite.
Posted on 6/21/16 at 7:23 pm to N2cars
Based on 2015, yes, he is. He has made the next jump in development and is the current NFL MVP.
Posted on 6/21/16 at 8:01 pm to TTsTowel
The elite were the same 4 for years because they had sustained multiple years of elite play. They may have had a year of mediocre play by their standards but they always bounced back.
Guys like Palmer, Newton, luck, Stafford, and even cam for now have not sustained that level of play got more than a year before they tailed off.
Guys like Palmer, Newton, luck, Stafford, and even cam for now have not sustained that level of play got more than a year before they tailed off.
Posted on 6/21/16 at 8:10 pm to N2cars
I don't like cam at all.
But he leads well and is a great/elite QB.
But he leads well and is a great/elite QB.
Posted on 6/21/16 at 8:23 pm to goatmilker
To me, elite means you do it for several years running and/or win championships.
Posted on 6/21/16 at 8:32 pm to TTsTowel
Elite tier:
Brady
Rodgers
Brees
Have won titles, consistently great for a decade
Fringe Elite:
Big Ben
Wilson
2nd tier:
Rivers
Newton - another season like last year then I'd be fine with someone labeling him as fringe elite to elite
Romo
Palmer
Could Rise Quickly:
Luck - I believe last season was an anomaly due to injuries
Carr
Serviceable/good:
Eli
Flacco
Dalton
Stafford
Tannehill
Ryan
Cutler
A. Smith
Need to see more of:
Winston
Cousins
T. Taylor
Brady
Rodgers
Brees
Have won titles, consistently great for a decade
Fringe Elite:
Big Ben
Wilson
2nd tier:
Rivers
Newton - another season like last year then I'd be fine with someone labeling him as fringe elite to elite
Romo
Palmer
Could Rise Quickly:
Luck - I believe last season was an anomaly due to injuries
Carr
Serviceable/good:
Eli
Flacco
Dalton
Stafford
Tannehill
Ryan
Cutler
A. Smith
Need to see more of:
Winston
Cousins
T. Taylor
Posted on 6/21/16 at 8:38 pm to N2cars
While it's well-known how Newton led Auburn to the 2010 BCS national championship, he also won a national title the year before. In 2009, he helped Blinn College (Tex.) win the NJCAA national championship.
Newton was also a member of the 2008 Florida Gators football team that won a national title
Newton is the only player in the modern era to be awarded the Heisman Trophy, win a national championship, and become the first overall pick in an NFL draft within a one-year span.[3] He was the 2011 NFL Rookie of the Year, is a three-time Pro Bowler, and was named to the NFL All Pro First Team in 2015.
Newton attended Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he played for the Westlake Lions high school football team. As a 16-year-old junior, he passed for 2,500 yards and 23 touchdowns and ran for 638 yards and 9 touchdowns, gaining the attention of major college programs. His senior year he was rated a five-star prospect by Rivals.com, the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the nation, and the 28th player overall. He received scholarship offers from Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech.[11] He committed to the University of Florida at the beginning of his senior year, becoming part of the top-rated recruiting class in the country for 2007
We all judge by our own standards.
Newton was also a member of the 2008 Florida Gators football team that won a national title
Newton is the only player in the modern era to be awarded the Heisman Trophy, win a national championship, and become the first overall pick in an NFL draft within a one-year span.[3] He was the 2011 NFL Rookie of the Year, is a three-time Pro Bowler, and was named to the NFL All Pro First Team in 2015.
Newton attended Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he played for the Westlake Lions high school football team. As a 16-year-old junior, he passed for 2,500 yards and 23 touchdowns and ran for 638 yards and 9 touchdowns, gaining the attention of major college programs. His senior year he was rated a five-star prospect by Rivals.com, the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the nation, and the 28th player overall. He received scholarship offers from Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech.[11] He committed to the University of Florida at the beginning of his senior year, becoming part of the top-rated recruiting class in the country for 2007
We all judge by our own standards.
This post was edited on 6/21/16 at 8:40 pm
Posted on 6/21/16 at 8:44 pm to goatmilker
But what about by NFL standards?
4 straight seasons of around slightly above average play then an explosive MVP season. It's one of those things where I want to wait and see which one of these he is instead of being reactionary to one season. We all know Drew, Brady and Rodgers are elite because we've seen them have many years of excellence. Cam strings together multiple great seasons and he will be listed as elite, rightfully so. That's at least how I judge it.
4 straight seasons of around slightly above average play then an explosive MVP season. It's one of those things where I want to wait and see which one of these he is instead of being reactionary to one season. We all know Drew, Brady and Rodgers are elite because we've seen them have many years of excellence. Cam strings together multiple great seasons and he will be listed as elite, rightfully so. That's at least how I judge it.
Posted on 6/21/16 at 9:01 pm to CocoLoco
Yea I hear ya. Good/elite I don't know the line but the a-hole is right there in my book. By 2016 NFL standards some would say top five I say top ten for sure so is that on the edge of elite?
I need some bourbon
I need some bourbonPosted on 6/21/16 at 9:07 pm to goatmilker
That's impressive, but I was just looking at his pro caterer.
I think we get in a big hurry to anoint players as "elite" when their body of work doesn't necessarily justly that title.
Not saying he won't get there...
I think we get in a big hurry to anoint players as "elite" when their body of work doesn't necessarily justly that title.
Not saying he won't get there...
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