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Two-month hiatus has Brees in high spirits;
2007-05-2

Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

April 25, 2007 Wednesday

By Mike Triplett, Staff writer

Drew Brees returned to New Orleans full-time last week after two months of "down time," which included rehabbing his dislocated elbow, vacationing in Costa Rica and Europe and traveling in a USO Tour to the Middle East.

The status report? Elbow healthy. Batteries recharged.

"I was able to get away and just enjoy time with my wife and just kind of get away from it," said Brees, who added he felt like he had gone non-stop for two years because of the major shoulder surgery and rehabilitation he underwent in 2006. "I guess what's so important is not only to recharge, but when you come back, you're also excited to be back. I'm getting excited about the draft this week and just kind of seeing how things are going to unfold.

"Coming off last year, we're trying to see how everything will fit together again."

Meeting with the media for the first time this offseason, Brees said Tuesday he is excited by some of the additions the Saints have made in free agency. He's also excited about how much has stayed the same on the roster and coaching staff.

But he said this team realizes it needs to work even harder after a terrific 2006 season that ended one game short of the Super Bowl.

"I think what we need to do is manage our expectations," Brees said. "Of course, the expectations for us and our offense are through the roof. But I think you have to realize that it doesn't get any easier. You're always trying to find ways to take it to the next level. But those defenses get a year to look at your film.

"You look at a lot of teams that went from worst-to-first, and then look at what they did the next year. You see a lot of them nose-dive a little bit. By us recognizing it, that's the first step of knowing that you can't get complacent. We have a little bit of a bull's-eye on our chest now. And I think we still have a lot to prove."

Brees, 28, said he can take his game to the next level even after a career-best season that landed him second in the league MVP voting -- and landed him in the Pro Bowl, where he dislocated his left, non-throwing elbow.

He said his elbow probably isn't 100 percent just yet, but it's "where I want it to be right now." He is able to do everything in the weight room and in the conditioning program, and he hopes by the end of the summer, his left arm will be even stronger than it was before.

That was certainly the case last year, when Brees came back from shoulder surgery with a vengeance. He admitted he might not throw for another 4,400 yards in 2007. But he said both he and the entire offense can strive to be more efficient.

Brees has spent time throwing to new tight end Eric Johnson, an offensive weapon the Saints added in free agency. Brees also likes what he knows about veteran receiver David Patten, who can help mentor the Saints' young receiving group.

Brees said it was tough for him to see receiver Joe Horn leave town, but he understands the business side of the league.

"It's always tough to lose a guy like that. Joe's been the face of this team, heart and soul, always the outspoken one," Brees said. "When I look back on my year with Joe, he was one of the main reasons why it was so special, because he's such a great teammate."

Before Brees rushed off to his Tuesday-morning workout, he touched on a variety of subjects, including his recent trip to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Brees joined former San Diego Chargers teammate Donnie Edwards on a one-week USO Tour that they had planned to take last year, before Brees got hurt. They were unable to go into Iraq because of safety concerns, but they visited troops stationed throughout the region.

"That was an incredible experience. And I think that every opportunity I get to go and speak to those guys or boost morale or just do my part in this whole effort, I'll do that," Brees said.

He said he ran into several Saints fans across the world.

"They were all excited, obviously, about the season and looking forward to this season, asking me about the draft and all that stuff," he said. "So that was cool. I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

Brees said he was impressed by the discipline and dedication he saw from soldiers as young as 18 and 19 years old. He said despite the disagreement in the United States about how the war is being handled, the troops are wholeheartedly committed to what they're doing.

"I think that's why, whether you agree with the war or not, you need to support those guys," Brees said.

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