*** Official Brees-Rivers offseason thread *** (1 Viewer)

[Maurile Tremblay]

If the Chargers tagged Brees, they would not be able to trade him. The $9.6M for one year he'd be guaranteed under the tag is a much better deal for Brees than he'd be able to get on the open market, so he'd refuse to relinquish the $9..6M to sign a long-term deal (which would be a prerequisite to any trade).

Abraham hasn't signed his contract and the tag was really only placed so teams can trade for his rights. Chargers could have done this. It's risk/reward if the player gets no takers but I think he would.

We'll find out soon, won't we? If a team would have been willing to trade a draft pick for the right to pay Brees $9.6M next year, surely Brees will be able to command $9.6M as a free agent (since a team won't have to give up a draft pick to get him). So let's see what he signs for.I doubt he'll even get $6M, never mind $9M. But we'll see . . .

 

[tommyGunZ]

8-8 at best.

The Chargers would go 8-8 with Ryan Leaf at QB next year. And Phillip Rivers is easily one of the top 5 players in ACC history, and the numbers say he's #1.

MOP - you're way off base here bro. Rivers has had 2 years to absorb an extremely simple offense, and has a HOF RB, a pro bowl FB, and the NFL's best TE at his disposal.

Can you think of a better situation in recent memory for a QB to step in and play well? Every year we read how QB's in the draft need "a year to learn before he steps on the field". Now Rivers has had two years to learn the playbook, work with his teammates in practice, study film, go through training camp, etc., and you're acting as if Rivers is as raw as Vince Young.

I'll be very disappointed if the Rivers doesn't win 10-11 games this year and at least 1 playoff game.

 

[Bri]

We'll find out soon, won't we? If a team would have been willing to trade a draft pick for the right to pay Brees $9.6M next year, surely Brees will be able to command $9.6M as a free agent (since a team won't have to give up a draft pick to get him). So let's see what he signs for.

I doubt he'll even get $6M, never mind $9M. But we'll see . . .

Yeah but I'd figure he'd love to have a 5 year deal(or whatever) and for once not have 80 questions about whether he'd be with a team, if he'd start etc. 5 yr 30 mil I'd bet looks far better to him than 1 year and 9.6.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

8-8 at best.

The Chargers would go 8-8 with Ryan Leaf at QB next year. And Phillip Rivers is easily one of the top 5 players in ACC history, and the numbers say he's #1.

MOP - you're way off base here bro. Rivers has had 2 years to absorb an extremely simple offense, and has a HOF RB, a pro bowl FB, and the NFL's best TE at his disposal.

Can you think of a better situation in recent memory for a QB to step in and play well? Every year we read how QB's in the draft need "a year to learn before he steps on the field". Now Rivers has had two years to learn the playbook, work with his teammates in practice, study film, go through training camp, etc., and you're acting as if Rivers is as raw as Vince Young.

I'll be very disappointed if the Rivers doesn't win 10-11 games this year and at least 1 playoff game.

TG, you know well that Ryan Leaf could not take the '75 Steelers to the playoffs let alone this team. I think you are giving the San Diego Chargers a little too much credit. That's OK...experts from all over the country are questioning the CHargers. Clark Judge wrote an article on Sportsline which I linked to earlier...its OK that we disagree but it's not crazy to think the Chargers might not be as efficient on offense. And you might just be disappointed if you are looking to squeeze 11 wins out this season.

 

[Bri]

8-8 at best.

The Chargers would go 8-8 with Ryan Leaf at QB next year. And Phillip Rivers is easily one of the top 5 players in ACC history, and the numbers say he's #1.

MOP - you're way off base here bro. Rivers has had 2 years to absorb an extremely simple offense, and has a HOF RB, a pro bowl FB, and the NFL's best TE at his disposal.

Can you think of a better situation in recent memory for a QB to step in and play well? Every year we read how QB's in the draft need "a year to learn before he steps on the field". Now Rivers has had two years to learn the playbook, work with his teammates in practice, study film, go through training camp, etc., and you're acting as if Rivers is as raw as Vince Young.

I'll be very disappointed if the Rivers doesn't win 10-11 games this year and at least 1 playoff game.

This would be unusual, rare, whatever the right word is. See Buffalo with Losman for the latest example. Yeah sure he could come in and do well like Pennington or Brady but the odds are against it.He has not thrown that many passes in preseason. I do not know how the Chargers run their practice but would be curious if Lemon/Feeley were running the scout team or was Rivers.

It is very very hard to step in and take your team to the playoffs with "no" experience in the NFL. Odds are highly stacked against him.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

That is like asking if a NCAA Wrestling Champion will make it in the WWE.  One is a real sport and the other is a choreographed (sp?) show.

I don't get the comparison at all.Also, Kurt Angle.

NBA = WWEThe NBA isnt real baskeball. WWE isnt real wrestling. If a college player is a good basketball player, it is irrelevant as to his ability to play in the NBA.

The NBA ruined basketball. I cant even watch anymore (I am a former HS player and HS coach)

I don't understand your point. Why do you feel this way?

There's simply too much dunking and athleticism in the NBA. Is it too much to ask for a little 1-3-1 zone? Honestly.

8-8 at best.

The Chargers would go 8-8 with Ryan Leaf at QB next year. And Phillip Rivers is easily one of the top 5 players in ACC history, and the numbers say he's #1.

MOP - you're way off base here bro. Rivers has had 2 years to absorb an extremely simple offense, and has a HOF RB, a pro bowl FB, and the NFL's best TE at his disposal.

Can you think of a better situation in recent memory for a QB to step in and play well? Every year we read how QB's in the draft need "a year to learn before he steps on the field". Now Rivers has had two years to learn the playbook, work with his teammates in practice, study film, go through training camp, etc., and you're acting as if Rivers is as raw as Vince Young.

I'll be very disappointed if the Rivers doesn't win 10-11 games this year and at least 1 playoff game.

Tommy we are all gonna be very disappointed this year.Starting with a new QB this year.

A new coach next year, I swear if it's Wade Phillips, Im gonna freak out.

And another 400 plus touch season on LT, I would love to see him play in a SB, but with the AFC so tough and AJ/Marty not on the same page, he might be going to Barry Sanders land

 

[Bri]

nba quote?

 

[BoltBacker]

San Diego is not going to go 4-12 this season but 8-8 might be very likely..

What did you think SD's record was going to be last year WITH Brees?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

We'll find out soon, won't we? If a team would have been willing to trade a draft pick for the right to pay Brees $9.6M next year, surely Brees will be able to command $9.6M as a free agent (since a team won't have to give up a draft pick to get him). So let's see what he signs for.

I doubt he'll even get $6M, never mind $9M. But we'll see . . .

Yeah but I'd figure he'd love to have a 5 year deal(or whatever) and for once not have 80 questions about whether he'd be with a team, if he'd start etc. 5 yr 30 mil I'd bet looks far better to him than 1 year and 9.6.

It's doubtful that he'll get any guaranteed money beyond the first year, and it's doubtful that whatever guaranteed money he does get will exceed $5M.Brees would have much preferred $9.6M for one year instead of whatever he's going to end up with.

 

[BoltBacker]

5 yr 30 mil I'd bet looks far better to him than 1 year and 9.6.

Not if he's as good as you're saying he is. If he's as good(and healthy) as you're saying he is then he'd be much better off playing for 9.6, proving he's 100% and THEN cashing in on the big payday that would well exceed $6mil per year.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I'll be very disappointed if the Rivers doesn't win 10-11 games this year and at least 1 playoff game.

This would be unusual, rare, whatever the right word is. See Buffalo with Losman for the latest example. Yeah sure he could come in and do well like Pennington or Brady but the odds are against it.

What Rivers has going for him is that he'll be stepping into a situation with good personnel around him, both on offense and defense. There are plenty of recent examples of QBs stepping into good situations on good teams and performing well immediately:Ben Roethlisberger 2004

Marc Bulger 2003

Jake Delhomme 2003

Chad Pennington 2002

Michael Vick 2002

Tom Brady 2001

Daunte Culpepper 2000

Kurt Warner 1999

The recent QBs who've struggled early in their careers as starters have generally played on poor teams with poor supporting casts.

 

[Bri]

5 yr 30 mil I'd bet looks far better to him than 1 year and 9.6.

Not if he's as good as you're saying he is. If he's as good(and healthy) as you're saying he is then he'd be much better off playing for 9.6, proving he's 100% and THEN cashing in on the big payday that would well exceed $6mil per year.

huh? as good as I'm saying?I wouldn't think 6mil per is going to be that astronomical for a QB in 2006. Every year the CBA rises, so does the average salary of QBs.

 

[BoltBacker]

5 yr 30 mil I'd bet looks far better to him than 1 year and 9.6.

Not if he's as good as you're saying he is. If he's as good(and healthy) as you're saying he is then he'd be much better off playing for 9.6, proving he's 100% and THEN cashing in on the big payday that would well exceed $6mil per year.

huh? as good as I'm saying?I wouldn't think 6mil per is going to be that astronomical for a QB in 2006. Every year the CBA rises, so does the average salary of QBs.

You're the one that just posted 5yr 30mil would look "far better" then 1yr @ 9.6.If the CBA rises every year, and the average salary of QB's, then why would a 5yr 30mil contract be "far better" for a QB worth 9.6mil for one season?

 

[Bri]

I think we're misunderstanding each other here Bolt

 

[tommyGunZ]

It's also important to keep in mind the role and responsibility of the QB in San Diego's offense. Rivers won't be expected to light up corners deep down the field; his job will be to hand off to LT, hit Gates over the middle, and hit McCardell and Parker on outs and ins off of play action.

These are the type of assignments that play to Rivers' strengths. His best attributes are supposedly his work ethic, his intelligence/decision making, and his uncanny accuracy.

This is similar to what the Bengals did 2 years ago, except Rivers has less responsibility, more talented weapons, and has had 2 years to learn the system. Why people expect the Chargers to suddenly fail when other QBs in similar situations have stepped forward and succeeded immediately (as Maurile pointed out) is beyond me.

 

[Bri]

It's also important to keep in mind the role and responsibility of the QB in San Diego's offense. Rivers won't be expected to light up corners deep down the field; his job will be to hand off to LT, hit Gates over the middle, and hit McCardell and Parker on outs and ins off of play action.

These are the type of assignments that play to Rivers' strengths. His best attributes are supposedly his work ethic, his intelligence/decision making, and his uncanny accuracy.

This is similar to what the Bengals did 2 years ago, except Rivers has less responsibility, more talented weapons, and has had 2 years to learn the system. Why people expect the Chargers to suddenly fail when other QBs in similar situations have stepped forward and succeeded immediately (as Maurile pointed out) is beyond me.

I don't agree with the Cincy bit at all, not even sure where you're going with that. No NFL offense is easy no matter how you word it.Yep Maurile pointed out plenty that have done well. Those are "dream come true" scenarios. I mean cmon two are NFLEurope QBs. Anyway my point isn't to rain on your parade. It's great you guys love Rivers and think he'll do great. Just know you're asking alot. More often than not guys have failed. I noticed alot of bummed Bills fans this year and they were one of the most solid 8-8(?) teams the year before.

 

[tommyGunZ]

It's also important to keep in mind the role and responsibility of the QB in San Diego's offense. Rivers won't be expected to light up corners deep down the field; his job will be to hand off to LT, hit Gates over the middle, and hit McCardell and Parker on outs and ins off of play action.

These are the type of assignments that play to Rivers' strengths. His best attributes are supposedly his work ethic, his intelligence/decision making, and his uncanny accuracy.

This is similar to what the Bengals did 2 years ago, except Rivers has less responsibility, more talented weapons, and has had 2 years to learn the system. Why people expect the Chargers to suddenly fail when other QBs in similar situations have stepped forward and succeeded immediately (as Maurile pointed out) is beyond me.

I don't agree with the Cincy bit at all, not even sure where you're going with that. No NFL offense is easy no matter how you word it.Yep Maurile pointed out plenty that have done well. Those are "dream come true" scenarios. I mean cmon two are NFLEurope QBs. Anyway my point isn't to rain on your parade. It's great you guys love Rivers and think he'll do great. Just know you're asking alot. More often than not guys have failed. I noticed alot of bummed Bills fans this year and they were one of the most solid 8-8(?) teams the year before.

Rivers >>>> LosmanChargers offensive weapons >> Bills offensive weapons

River 2 years to learn > Losman 1 year to learn

 

[tommyGunZ]

BTW - Brees was on local talk radio this morning and claimed the AJ Smith has pulled the incentives off the table, virtually assuring that Brees is a goner, if it wasn't already written in stone.

 

[Tau837]

It's also important to keep in mind the role and responsibility of the QB in San Diego's offense.  Rivers won't be expected to light up corners deep down the field; his job will be to hand off to LT, hit Gates over the middle, and hit McCardell and Parker on outs and ins off of play action.

These are the type of assignments that play to Rivers' strengths.  His best attributes are supposedly his work ethic, his intelligence/decision making, and his uncanny accuracy. 

This is similar to what the Bengals did 2 years ago, except Rivers has less responsibility, more talented weapons, and has had 2 years to learn the system.  Why people expect the Chargers to suddenly fail when other QBs in similar situations have stepped forward and succeeded immediately (as Maurile pointed out) is beyond me.

I don't agree with the Cincy bit at all, not even sure where you're going with that. No NFL offense is easy no matter how you word it.Yep Maurile pointed out plenty that have done well. Those are "dream come true" scenarios. I mean cmon two are NFLEurope QBs. Anyway my point isn't to rain on your parade. It's great you guys love Rivers and think he'll do great. Just know you're asking alot. More often than not guys have failed. I noticed alot of bummed Bills fans this year and they were one of the most solid 8-8(?) teams the year before.

Rivers compares favorably to Losman, though.1. Rivers will have two years of NFL preparation. Losman had one.

2. Rivers didn't lose any of his NFL preparation to injury as Losman did.

3. Rivers was prepared better in college than Losman--twice as many starts.

4. Also, I assume Rivers played in more big games and against tougher competition, but I admit I don't know that much about Tulane.

5. Rivers has LT and Gates. Losman had a disappointing McGahee and... who?

So this is an apples and oranges comparison IMO.

It is a challenge for any QB when he first becomes a starter. But the situation Rivers faces as a first time starter is better than 90% of the situations most first time starters face. That is a reason for optimism.

 

[Tau837]

It's also important to keep in mind the role and responsibility of the QB in San Diego's offense.  Rivers won't be expected to light up corners deep down the field; his job will be to hand off to LT, hit Gates over the middle, and hit McCardell and Parker on outs and ins off of play action.

These are the type of assignments that play to Rivers' strengths.  His best attributes are supposedly his work ethic, his intelligence/decision making, and his uncanny accuracy. 

This is similar to what the Bengals did 2 years ago, except Rivers has less responsibility, more talented weapons, and has had 2 years to learn the system.  Why people expect the Chargers to suddenly fail when other QBs in similar situations have stepped forward and succeeded immediately (as Maurile pointed out) is beyond me.

I don't agree with the Cincy bit at all, not even sure where you're going with that. No NFL offense is easy no matter how you word it.Yep Maurile pointed out plenty that have done well. Those are "dream come true" scenarios. I mean cmon two are NFLEurope QBs. Anyway my point isn't to rain on your parade. It's great you guys love Rivers and think he'll do great. Just know you're asking alot. More often than not guys have failed. I noticed alot of bummed Bills fans this year and they were one of the most solid 8-8(?) teams the year before.

Rivers >>>> LosmanChargers offensive weapons >> Bills offensive weapons

River 2 years to learn > Losman 1 year to learn

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

BTW - Brees was on local talk radio this morning and claimed the AJ Smith has pulled the incentives off the table, virtually assuring that Brees is a goner, if it wasn't already written in stone.

 

[tommyGunZ]

BTW - Brees was on local talk radio this morning and claimed the AJ Smith has pulled the incentives off the table, virtually assuring that Brees is a goner, if it wasn't already written in stone.

au contraire, mon frere. is my reaction. Rarely does a QB of Rivers' caliber get two years of preparation, a virtual All Pro surounding cast, and a defense that is a Safety away from being top 10, in his first year as a starter.

I believe that Phillip Rivers is the best QB to ever wear a Charger uniform, and will prove such over the next 2-4 years.

#17 is LEGIT.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

BTW - Brees was on local talk radio this morning and claimed the AJ Smith has pulled the incentives off the table, virtually assuring that Brees is a goner, if it wasn't already written in stone.

au contraire, mon frere. is my reaction. Rarely does a QB of Rivers' caliber get two years of preparation, a virtual All Pro surounding cast, and a defense that is a Safety away from being top 10, in his first year as a starter.

I believe that Phillip Rivers is the best QB to ever wear a Charger uniform, and will prove such over the next 2-4 years.

#17 is LEGIT.

You have just doomed us all with that prediction. :(



I really wanna believe, but I really dont think this is the best move for the franchise. I knew Brees was doomed in SD when my wife bought me an autographed football from him.

 

[BoltBacker]

I think we're misunderstanding each other here Bolt

- I thought you were saying SD should have franchised Brees 1yr@$9.6mil and even if they didn't want him at that price traded him.- I thought you went on to say Brees would think a 5yr/$30mil would be "far better" then 1yr@9.6mil.

- Then said $6mil/yr isn't that astronomical a # for QB's with the salary cap going up.

So my question to you is why would Brees think it's far better to be in a 5yr/$30mil contract then a 1yr/$9.6mil?

If SD(or a trade partner) should be willing to pay him $9.6mil coming off an injury then why would he settle for $6mil per season with the salary cap going up?

 

[BoltBacker]

BTW - Brees was on local talk radio this morning and claimed the AJ Smith has pulled the incentives off the table, virtually assuring that Brees is a goner, if it wasn't already written in stone.

That would sound pretty consistent with SD negotiations in the past; make the highest offer you are going to make, set a deadline for it to be accepted or declined, move on after that deadline.I like it!

Too many other FA's on the market to sit on the edge of our seat hoping Drew makes a decision. The last thing we want to do is get in a GB situation where they're wondering if Favre likes us, or REALLY likes us and putting all our offseason plans on hold based on what decision he's going to make.

 

[cstu]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/...hins_0310.html

Although specific details of Brees' surgery had not been reported beyond the basics, a source said Thursday he suffered a Bankart lesion and a partial tear of the supraspinatus.

The supraspinatus is the most often injured rotator cuff muscle, and a Bankart lesion occurs upon the tearing of the capsule from the front of the shoulder socket. The source said the tear of the supraspinatus was under the surface.

The injury, similar to the one suffered by Thomas, could have a serious effect on the quarterback's ability to throw.

"For overhead activities, such as throwing, his specific injury makes it much more difficult to come back from," the source said. "But he will are able to come back. It just takes (quarterbacks) a little longer to come back."

The tear was not considered to be as serious as the one suffered by Jets quarterback Chad Pennington, who struggled to regain arm strength after his injury a little more than a year ago.

Of course, any shoulder tears are far more detrimental for a quarterback than for a linebacker, such as Thomas.

"It's a little different when Drew Brees went in (to surgeon James Andrews' office) before me and had to get similar work done," Thomas said. "I'm a linebacker. I can be effective right away."

Because Brees only suffered a partial tear, Carrocio said he certainly is much better off than if he had suffered a full thickness tear in the cuff.

"With a full thickness tear in throwing athletes, it's a ridiculously low amount of athletes who are able to return," said Carrocio, who said he isn't familiar with the specifics of Brees' injury. "I've had baseball pitchers and quarterbacks who have had (similar injuries to Brees). Some have done good. Some of them haven't. But he has a decent chance as long as he has good rehab."

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

BTW - Brees was on local talk radio this morning and claimed the AJ Smith has pulled the incentives off the table, virtually assuring that Brees is a goner, if it wasn't already written in stone.

That turned out to be misinformation, and it appears that Brees was misinformed by his agent.Brees was being offered $2M in guarantees and another $8M under an incentive clause if he played 75% of the snaps in either of the next two years. That would give Brees a 2006 cap number of $10M since the incentive would be categorized as "likely to be met."

The Chargers told Brees's agent that, depending on how active the Chargers are in free agency this year, they may have to alter the structure or wording of the incentive clause to reduce the 2005 cap number. That's a lot different from "pulling the incentives off the table." AJ Smith, who usually doesn't discuss "football business" with the press, made a statement that the Chargers hadn't pulled any incentives off the table. Ed McGuire called Brees to ask where he got that information, and Brees said he got it from his agent (Tom Condon).

 

[tommyGunZ]

Alex Marvez, of the Sun-Sentinel, reports Miami Dolphins head coach Nick Saban and general manager Randy Mueller traveled to Birmingham, Ala. Saturday morning, March 11, to meet with free agent QB Drew Brees (Chargers), who was scheduled to travel Saturday to New Orleans to meet with the New Orleans Saints. It's believed Saban and Mueller were concerned that Brees might cancel a scheduled trip to Miami Sunday, March 12, and sign with New Orleans after meeting with Saints officials.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Brees hits free agency

Although it appears that quarterback Drew Brees is resigned to leave the team that drafted him five years ago, it’s not because the Chargers don’t want him.

“Like I’ve said all along, we want all three quarterback’s from last year’s team to return,” General Manager A.J. Smith said. “We want Drew to be here. To this point we’ve yet to reach an agreement on what we think is a fair offer.”

“It's a business – not just for us but for him. Drew is making a business decision. He says he wants to be a Charger. Let's cut to the chase – you want to be a Charger if we pay you enough money. I understand. To me, that sounds like a businessman.”

At this point, it is still uncertain as to when Brees will be able to resume throwing. In January, he underwent an operation to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. Brees appears to be making progress, and the team has offered to take a chance on his health.

“Despite some serious injury concerns, we’ve put a lot of money out there for him and we’re willing to take the risk,” Smith said. “Only time will tell how he’ll perform in the future. We’re trying to do what’s best for our football team.”

The potential total value of the Chargers' contract proposal is $50 million over six years.

“We feel like we’ve offered him a fair contract, but he doesn’t like that offer,” Smith said. “We have a value on our players and contracts, and they have a value on it. When you see eye to eye, a deal gets done. When you don’t, you move on.”

The offer that is currently on the table enables Brees to reach the financial numbers that he’s looking for. However, the majority of the money in the first year comes in the form of incentives, and Brees would prefer it be guaranteed. The deal includes $2 million up front with the opportunity to earn as much as $8 million more this season should he take 75 percent of the team’s snaps.

“With the offer, if Drew starts and plays like he has, he will make the money he wants,” Smith said. “He would prefer that the money be given up front. We don’t think that’s the best business decision for the Chargers.”

On Friday, Brees stated during an interview that the Chargers had withdrawn part of the incentives from the deal. Vice President of Football Operations Ed McGuire said that the information was inaccurate.

“I personally called Drew Friday and asked him where he’d heard that we removed incentives,” McGuire said. “He said his agent told him that. It’s not true.”

At the time McGuire spoke with Brees’ agent, Tom Condon, about the deal, the league had yet to extend the Collective Bargaining Agreement, meaning that the “30 percent rule” was in effect. The rule states that any contract that extends into an uncapped year limits the increase of a player's base salary to 30 percent a year. Had the Chargers removed the incentives offer, the deal would have been illegal under the terms of the CBA at that point.

“Specifically, since our offer contained a $10 million (salary cap) charge this year because the play-time incentive would count as ‘likely to be earned’, I told Tom that if we had a lot of action in free agency that we may have to modify how the incentive was written,” McGuire said. “That's a lot different than to say that we removed the incentives.”

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

AJ Smith speaks about Brees/Rivers.

Sirius Radio: Moving the Chains

May 10, 2006

(paraphrasing)

Q: Can you tell us how the decision was made to go with Philip Rivers over Drew Brees?

AJ: For the last two years you guys have speculated that we wouldn't be able to keep both guys. This offseason we made a decision as an organization: we wanted all three back. But we only had one guy under contract, and that was Phillip Rivers. Some of you thought he might be traded, but that was never a consideration. AJ Feeley came in with a contract that was unacceptable, but we worked it out for two more years and we're happy there. We then decided a long term contract was in order for Drew Brees, but monetarily we could not get it done. We put a dollar sign on him, which is what you have to do, and New Orleans put a dollar sign on him.

Q: Was the deal you offered comparable to theirs?

AJ: No. We don't discuss our football business so I won't go into details. We offered him a contract with tremendous upside to it, but it wasn't guaranteed. The Saints offered more in guarantees.

Q: Was that based on concerns about his shoulder?

AJ: It was based on a lot of things. Was the medical issue a concern? Yes. I'd rather not discuss it any further than to say it was a hard decision. New Orleans stepped up to the plate with 10 million in guarantees. Now you're talking 2 million or 10 million, and we know that Miami was somewhere between that. I won't speak for them, but they were in the mix, balancing Drew Brees monetarily and Daunte Culpepper with regard to draft compensation. Coach Saban made a decision, and a lot of other teams were not in the mix. There are always hard decisions to be made. It's not the fun part of the buisness.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Fwiw and I know it's not much but my neigbhor recently had Rotator cuff surgery and his orth surgeon is James Andrews (ala famous shoulder doc). He said Brees was next to him on the table and that he looked fine and told him that his shoulder flet great and that he was ahead of projected recovery. My neighbor also talks a lot of ####, but hey fwiw there you go.

Hipple