Brees has fans in Canada too

[Randall]

Saints quarterback Brees has New Orleans howling

Published: Sunday, January 14, 2007 | 12:40 AM ET

Canadian Press: BRETT MARTEL

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Drew Brees has talked about how much he's grown to love New Orleans.

 

After leading the Saints to their first NFC championship game, the feeling is mutual for the most beloved quarterback in the Big Easy since Archie Manning.

 

And with no need to quiet a frenzied crowd as he came to the line of scrimmage to run out the clock on the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night, Brees waved his arms skyward, inciting the ecstatic fans even more.

 

It was yet another sweet moment in a brilliant comeback season after some teams dismissed the former San Diego quarterback as too much of a risk following complicated off-season throwing-shoulder surgery.

 

Brees was 20-of-32 passing for 243 yards and a touchdown on a swing pass to Deuce McAllister. Brees didn't throw an interception.

 

It was nowhere near a season best, but against a tough Eagles defence, he delivered enough clutch throws to put the Saints over the top in a 27-24 victory. They included a 35-yarder down the sideline to Devery Henderson to set up the Saints' second field goal and an early 6-0 lead. And he showed the veteran savvy to throw where the Eagles weren't expecting, namely to seldom used tight end Billy Miller.

 

Miller, signed after Ernie Conwell was hurt in mid-season, caught four passes for 64 yards, including a 29-yarder over the middle to the five-yard line, setting up McAllister's touchdown run that pulled the Saints to 21-20 in the third quarter.

 

Brees was sent packing by San Diego after tearing the labrum in his right shoulder in the last game of the 2005 regular season. That ended two years of looking over his shoulder after the Chargers worked a draft-day deal for Philip Rivers in 2004.

 

The Saints were able to sign Brees as a free agent after Miami backed away, and what appeared to be a risk at the time turned into one of the best gambles the franchise has ever made.

 

Brees threw for an NFL-leading 4,418 yards this season in leading New Orleans (11-6) into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the NFC. It meant a first-ever second-round home game for the Saints, and celebration to perhaps exceed all others in the rebuilt Louisiana Superdome after Brees kneeled down for the last time Saturday night.

 

He won't likely have to worry about keeping his starting job here for a long time. Keeping fans from swarming him wherever he goes in this town may be another matter.

 

© The Canadian Press, 2007