Drew Brees Is Planning On Starting Sunday, And I Think That Actually Makes Me More Worried About The Game

PFT- Payton said he was convinced Brees would be able to play after watching him throw in practice yesterday.

“I think he’s planning on starting and we’re planning on starting him,” Payton said. “He looked crisp today. I think he’s going to end up starting and based on the way the week unfolded each day, I felt like he’s made the progress we’re looking for.”


I know this could end up biting me in the ass, but let's go out on the flimsiest of limbs and take Sean Payton's word for it. Yes, they are just words, and they are unquestionably coming from the most unreliable source in terms of injury information, but what else do we have at this point. From now until Sunday I am treating this game like Drew Brees is starting it, and as crazy as it sounds, that actually makes me more nervous.

I know, I know. I should be happy. I should be excited that the best player to ever throw on a Saints uniform will be back for a primetime game against the Cowboys that won't make, but could certainly break the season. However, I just can't shake this instinctual need to feel hesitant. My gut is telling me to temper expectations, but my eyes have watched Drew Brees successfully run this offense far too long to do so. Despite how well Luke McCown played last week, it's pretty obvious that this team is better with Drew Brees at the helm. The difference is that when Luke McCown is under center I am able to pray for the best, but expect the worst. With Drew Brees I have been trained to expect greatness, and get irrationally upset at anything less. When Luke McCown is slinging the rock nothing is possible, and when Drew Brees is taking snaps impossible is nothing. When I see Brees at quarterback I automatically assume I am getting "100% healthy, capable of any throw on the field" Drew Brees, not "75% healthy, restricted by shoulder soreness" Drew Brees. I can already see the aftermath of an injury, for which I don't know the extent of, driving me insane if the Saints continue to struggle offensively. This game went from a toss-up to a game that I expect the Saints to win, and with their recent track record of not meeting those expectations, I am already expecting the unexpected.

This game scares me. It scares me not because Dallas is a great team without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant, but because even with Drew Brees, the Saints haven't even proven to be a mediocre team. It scares me for the same reason you get more nervous going on a date with a 9 than a 6. It scares me because it's possible the Saints show up with a gun to a knife fight and misfire. It scares me because, as hard as it is to admit, they have a legitimate chance of losing to Brandon Weedon. That's acceptable with Luke McCown starting, but it's downright tragic if Drew Brees is starting. Don't mistake my words. I am glad to have a Super Bowl MVP back running the offense on Sunday, but for reasons that only I can understand, it scares the shit out of me.