Today's NFL quarterbacks have openly accepted the challenge brought on them by Father Time. Among the notable players still going strong is New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
There are a number of reasons why Brees is still one of the most efficient players in the league and head coach Sean Payton knows it. During an appearance on Going Deep with Dan Schwartzman on NBC Sports Radio, Payton said that Brees' combination of talent and work ethic have allowed him to perform at a high level still:
“It’s different now. I mean, it’s different than it used to be,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “When you see Tom Brady and these guys, they’re eating; they’re lifting; they’re sleeping differently. I mean, 25 years ago, Len Dawson was having cigarettes at halftime. It’s changed a lot. It really has. Then, when you take that and the work ethic and the talent and put it all together you get the Drew Brees and you get someone special.”
There is certainly plenty of truth to Payton's comments.
Aside from the talent level, players today are able to ramp up their training thanks to the resources at their disposal. This has seen a particular influx of quarterbacks challenging the status quo by playing into their forties.
Of course, given the nature of the business, it is not enough to simply be healthy enough to play. Veterans like Brees must show that they are still capable of playing at a high level. Needless to say, Brees did exactly that when he finished the 2017 campaign by completing a career-high 72 percent of his passes while leading the league in completions (386) and yards per attempt (8.1).
Brees is on track to make history this season with a number of Peyton Manning's records within striking distance. The Saints may be forced to revert back to their pass-heavy approach to start the season with the suspension of running back Mark Ingram.
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