[Saint ATN]

Saints: Brees brings different mindset
# Quarterback begins camp free of concerns about repaired shoulder
http://www.clarionle.../707280322/1063
By David Brandt
david.brandt@clarionledger.com


Wide-eyed and a little overwhelmed, New Orleans Saints rookie receiver Robert Meachem was a bit flustered as he walked away from his first NFL practice in full pads on Friday morning.

But a few steps into his march back to the safety of the locker room, quarterback Drew Brees stopped the young receiver, shook his hand, said a few words of encouragement and slapped him on the back.

The five-second exchange wasn't much, but little things like that are proof to coach Sean Payton that he has the right man under center.

Not to mention the 4,000-plus yards Brees threw for in last year's regular season.

"He has the ability to elevate the play of the guys around him," Payton said. "We think he's a very good quarterback and a great leader . . . plus he's continuing to improve."

Training camp brings its share of headaches and stress for most players. But this year Brees has one less thing to worry about as the Saints prepare for another season: his health.

The Saints plopped down a cool $60 million, six-year contract for the quarterback before the 2006 season, even though he was recovering from serious shoulder surgery that affected his arm strength.

And in last year's training camp, the scars were evident.

Throws that Brees could usually make in his sleep were falling short or off the mark, and there was serious concern if he would be ready for the regular season.

In retrospect, all the worry was unnecessary.

But for a few weeks, Brees admitted, life was stressful.

"Last year, my thoughts each day were just trying to throw the ball better and farther," Brees said. "I was on a pitch count. If this were last year, I wouldn't be practicing in the afternoons. Now I can throw as much as I want, whenever I want."

And though it's hard to fathom, a healthy and clear-minded Brees could become an even better quarterback than he was last season, when he shredded opposing defenses for 4,418 total yards, 26 touchdowns and a 96.2 passer rating.

"Now it's more of concentrating on the little things," Brees said. "I can set goals for myself instead of just worrying about the way that I'm throwing."

Helping Brees is the return of a running game that's one of the NFL's deepest and most talented.

Veteran Deuce McAllister provides a power back and second-year star Reggie Bush supplies the highlight-reel elusiveness.

Add in veteran backup Aaron Stecker and rookie Antonio Pittman and you begin to understand why Brees feels confident other teams will have to respect the team's running game at least as much as his throwing arm.

"I'm very fortunate having that one, two punch with Reggie and Deuce - teams want that and they envy that," Brees said. "Reggie could end up as one of the best in history and Deuce is just a horse."

The admiration is mutual. Former Ole Miss star McAllister said a year with Brees learning his tendencies make things much easier.

"You know what (Brees) likes as far as protections and you know what he likes to do with the running backs when the defense shifts," McAllister said. "Now we can just look at each other and say one or two things and we're on the same page. That's so important."

And now Brees is working on gaining that same rapport with Meachem - witness the short pep talk after Friday's practice.

The team already boasts second-year star Marques Colston at wide receiver and now Brees is trying to develop the 6-foot-2, 214-pound Meachem into another deep threat.

"He's like any rookie receiver that usually comes (into the NFL) - a little raw," Brees said. "But you see the glimpses of the things he does that are very natural, so I'm excited."

[cpeddy]

Saint ATN, on Jul 28 2007, 01:37 PM, said:

"He's like any rookie receiver that usually comes (into the NFL) - a little raw," Brees said. "But you see the glimpses of the things he does that are very natural, so I'm excited."

Brees will be wearing a Championship Ring with a diamond Fleur de lis on it. Bet on it.