Brees’ downward spiral a product of self pressure

    Is Drew Brees on a sudden descent as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL?
    The answer is, of course not.
    Brees turns 34 on Jan. 15. Father time has yet to catch up with Brees. But several issues have contributed to Brees’ seven interceptions in the Saints’ last two games.
    For starters, Brees is pressing. He is simply trying to do too much. It happened to Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, and it has happened to Tom Brady in New England.
    A franchise quarterback knows when his team needs something extra. Brees played like that quarterback against the 49ers and again against the Falcons.
    In 2006, when the Saints reached the NFC championship game, Brees threw 11 interceptions. One year later, the Saints were not the same team, and Brees threw 18 interceptions.
    In 2009, the Saints won the Super Bowl. That season, Brees threw 11 interceptions. One year later, the Saints were hit with a rash of injuries at running back. Brees threw a career-high 22 interceptions.
    In 2011, the Saints were as talented as any team in the league. Brees’ interception total dropped from 22 to 14.
    When Sean Payton returns after the Super Bowl, he needs to renew his pursuit of a No. 1 tailback. Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Chris Ivory and Darren Sproles are all quality backs with unique skills.
    But, how much better would Brees be if he was handing the football to a dynamic running back?
    Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael is a quality coach. But, there is no doubt that Brees misses his special relationship with Payton.
    It does not diminish Brees’ skills one bit to admit that Payton acts as his security blanket. In Indianapolis, former Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore and Peyton Manning had much the same relationship.
    And, there is no doubt that Brees’ prolonged contract dispute with the Saints robbed of him of important offseason work.
    Brees is most diligent at his craft. But there is a difference between working out on your own and working out in the club’s offseason program.
    As poorly as Brees has played the last two weeks, he has also displayed tremendous leadership. After throwing a career-high five interceptions in a 23-13 loss to Atlanta, Brees said, “I pride myself on being a good decision maker. And, a guy who will help us win the game.”
    “A couple of critical mistakes cost us the game, and I have no problem saying that,” he said. “I have to hold myself accountable.”
    In the midst of a bad loss, Brees stood tall.
    I have been asked more than once if the signing of his $100 million dollar contract has caused Brees to be complacent. The exact opposite is true. Brees has put more pressure on himself to perform at almost a super-human level.
    When Payton is cleared to return, one of his first calls will be to his franchise quarterback. Sean will tell Brees, “The best is yet to come.”
    Together, the head coach and his quarterback will turn the page, quickly.
    Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at edaniels@clarionherald.org.