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Saints Land Free-Agent Brees With Six-Year Deal
Free-agent quarterback Drew Brees agreed to a six-year contract Tuesday with New Orleans, providing the Saints with a proven replacement for Aaron Brooks.
A team spokesman confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press shortly after the Miami Dolphins, who also had been courting Brees, traded for Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
Brees is a bit of question mark after injuring his throwing shoulder with San Diego in the final game of the season. He underwent surgery and said last weekend he will take four or five months to be ready.
Brooks is expected to be released by New Orleans after his worst season since taking over as the Saints starter in 2000.
With Brees as their starting quarterback, the pressure is off the Saints to use the No. 2 choice in the draft on Southern California's Matt Leinart, who is expected to be available with Reggie Bush the likely No. 1 selection by Houston.
New Orleans, which has lost top center LeCharles Bentley and cornerback Fakhir Brown to free agency, could choose another player or dangle their pick as trade bait for teams who covet the opportunity to take Leinart, the 2004 Heisman winner.
Saints officials did not immediately discuss details of Brees' new contract or how it may affect their draft plans.
Brees, who turned 27 in January, has spent his entire five-year career with the San Diego Chargers, throwing for more than 3,000 yards in three of the past four seasons. He led the Chargers to a playoff appearance in 2004.
The 32nd overall pick in the 2001 draft, Brees struggled in his first few seasons leading the Chargers to trade Eli Manning to the New York Giants for quarterback Philip Rivers on the day of the 2004 draft.
Rivers spent the past two seasons on the bench as Brees flourished.
Source: AP
A team spokesman confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press shortly after the Miami Dolphins, who also had been courting Brees, traded for Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
Brees is a bit of question mark after injuring his throwing shoulder with San Diego in the final game of the season. He underwent surgery and said last weekend he will take four or five months to be ready.
Brooks is expected to be released by New Orleans after his worst season since taking over as the Saints starter in 2000.
With Brees as their starting quarterback, the pressure is off the Saints to use the No. 2 choice in the draft on Southern California's Matt Leinart, who is expected to be available with Reggie Bush the likely No. 1 selection by Houston.
New Orleans, which has lost top center LeCharles Bentley and cornerback Fakhir Brown to free agency, could choose another player or dangle their pick as trade bait for teams who covet the opportunity to take Leinart, the 2004 Heisman winner.
Saints officials did not immediately discuss details of Brees' new contract or how it may affect their draft plans.
Brees, who turned 27 in January, has spent his entire five-year career with the San Diego Chargers, throwing for more than 3,000 yards in three of the past four seasons. He led the Chargers to a playoff appearance in 2004.
The 32nd overall pick in the 2001 draft, Brees struggled in his first few seasons leading the Chargers to trade Eli Manning to the New York Giants for quarterback Philip Rivers on the day of the 2004 draft.
Rivers spent the past two seasons on the bench as Brees flourished.
Source: AP