The Franchise: Drew Brees

With the extraordinary success that Drew Brees has had with the New Orleans Saints since signing as a free agent in 2006, its easy to forget his Chargers career. In his tenure in San Diego, Brees was an above average QB but was overshadowed by his future Hall of Fame tailback in LaDainian Tomlinson. When Brees needed shoulder surgery in 2005, the Chargers decided to cut ties with the gunslinger and the Saints have reaped the benefits of that decision. Few free agents have the kind of effect that Brees had on the Saints when he arrived and turned the team around from 3-13 before his arrival to 10-6. Only years later, the Saints were Super Bowl Champions by defeating the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. Brees has been nothing less than spectacular having thrown at least 4000 yards and 26 TDs in each of seasons in the The Big Easy. At 32 years of age, Brees is in the prime of his career and with the Saints offense looking as dangerous as ever, New Orleans could be throwing a few more February parades in the near future. For the New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees is the franchise. Whodat!