Drew Brees dispensed with technicalities regarding his contract and spoke as if his return to New Orleans next season was virtually assured.
”It’s the same way I felt two days ago. It’s the same way I felt 12 years ago. I’ll be here as long as they’ll have me
Lorenzo Carter Color Rush Jersey ,” Brees said Tuesday in the locker room at Saints headquarters, where players were packing up for the offseason following their dramatic elimination from the playoffs in Minnesota last weekend.
Brees acknowledged he’d have leverage if he chose to listen to offers from other clubs, but asserted that he has no plans to do so for professional and personal reasons.
The Saints have pieces in place to be a contender in upcoming seasons, having nearly advanced to the NFC title game with a roster featuring numerous first- and second-year regulars.
”Do I feel like this team has what it takes? Yes, I do,” Brees said.
Then there are Brees’ ever-deepening ties to New Orleans. He was 27 and childless when he arrived. Now he’s a father of four who turned 39 on Monday.
”Certainly, the relationship with this city will always play a strong role in me wanting to be here and … wanting to finish my career here,” Brees said.
And there’s no guarantee he’ll have better synergy with any coach than he’s had with Sean Payton.
”We have a great history together,” Brees said, recalling how Payton courted him in 2006 while he was still rehabilitating from major throwing-shoulder surgery. ”I’m here because he believed in me.”
Brees has since passed for 58,097 yards and 408 touchdowns, won a Super Bowl and led New Orleans to six playoff berths. This season, his completion rate of 72 percent set an NFL record.
Payton on Tuesday declined to discuss how the team will address Brees’ contract
Kareem Martin Color Rush Jersey , saying now is ”not the time.”
But letting Brees go would be costly for New Orleans – financially and on the field.
Brees’ contract technically runs through 2018, but voids automatically when the new league year begins on March 14. That was done for two reasons. The Saints received salary cap flexibility they needed in 2016 by spreading Brees’ guaranteed money over two more years. Brees gained leverage because the Saints lose $18 million in salary cap space in 2018 if they fail to re-sign him.
That’s given Brees confidence that an extension is inevitable.
”I don’t plan on this being something that goes until March 14th,” said Brees, who also spoke about the 2018 Saints as if presuming he’ll be their QB.
”We have a great window of opportunity,” Brees said. ”I’ve been a part of talented teams in the past, though, that have not lived up to expectations. I’ve also been a part of teams that were just gutsy and gritty, and surpassed expectations.
”Bottom line – success is dependent upon your willingness to work and the way that guys care about one another and the sense of urgency,” Brees continued. ”So while I think we do have a talented team, I know that each year you have to go out and prove it.”
Several players said they were still struggling to come to grips with the sudden, stunning end of their season on a 61-yard Vikings touchdown as time expired Sunday.
”I couldn’t stop thinking about it if I wanted to,” defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said. ”Hopefully it’ll be more fuel than anything and I can just go train as hard as I can.”
Payton wore a black track suit with Saints emblems on it, as if to symbolize that he is off and running in his effort to build upon the success of 2017.
”We have to look at every area we can improve – every area
Da'Ron Payne Color Rush Jersey , not just one specific area,” Payton declared. ”There’s nothing promised. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Three significant contributors are entering free agency: safety Kenny Vaccaro, defensive end Alex Okafor and offensive lineman Senio Kelemete.
Meanwhile, 34-year-old right tackle Zach Strief, a Week 1 starter who spent most of the season on injured reserve, said he hasn’t decided whether he’ll retire. Strief likely would have to accept a pay cut and possibly a backup role if he returns. He’s due about $3.9 million next season and his successor, 2017 first-round draft choice Ryan Ramczyk, proved this season he was ready to step in. Strief also is rehabilitating from reconstructive knee surgery.
”No matter how you feel in the moment, sometimes when you’re in training camp and in your 12th year, you’re like, `Man, this is ridiculous. I’m tired of this,”’ Strief said. ”I felt like I was playing at a high level through training camp
http://www.49ersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-weston-richburg-jersey , and last year was one of my better years. So I think physically, it’s something I can do. But the reality is there’s as much mental preparation as physical.”
—
Bartolo Colon has reached one goal he set for himself this season and is within two wins of another.
Colon earned his 244th victory, passing Hall of Famer Juan Marichal for the most by a pitcher born in the Dominican Republic, and the Texas Rangers beat the skidding Kansas City Royals 6-3 on Monday night.
Adrian Beltre hit a three-run homer for the Rangers, who won their third straight game. The 45-year-old Colon (4-4) allowed three runs and nine hits in six innings to break a tie with Marichal on the career wins chart.
Only right-hander Dennis Martinez has more victories among pitchers from Latin America. Martinez, a native of Nicaragua, won 245 games in the majors.
”Now that I’ve won the 244, I see that it’s close to Dennis Martinez, but with health and enough time, I’m ready to be able to pass him and be the first Latin with more wins,” Colon said through a translator. ”I feel happy, of course, to pass a Hall of Famer
http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-marquez-valdes-scantling-jersey , the first Dominican in the Hall of Fame.”
The Royals have lost seven straight and 13 of 14. They’ve dropped 27 of 37 games at Kauffman Stadium, the worst home record in the majors. Kansas City is 2-14 in June, having been outscored 95-35.
Colon was 1-3 with a 9.51 ERA in his five previous starts. Kansas City loaded the bases with one out in the fifth, but the portly and popular right-hander affectionately nicknamed Big Sexy got out of the inning when Hunter Dozier grounded into a double play.
”They’ve wanted to get this win for him for some time now,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. ”It’s just incredible to watch. He’s such a humble guy. No real fanfare whatsoever. Kind of just a great humility. But, these guys fought hard for him and were able to get him some runs and he fought hard for it tonight.”
Keona Kela tossed a spotless ninth for his 16th save in 16 chances.
Beltre homered in the third off Ian Kennedy, with Elvis Andrus and Nomar Mazara aboard, to give the Rangers a 5-0 advantage. Mazara had three hits.
Kennedy (1-7) is 1-13 in his last 28 home starts. He is winless in 13 starts since an April 7 victory at Cleveland.
The right-hander gave up a home run to Shin-Soo Choo on his fourth pitch, a drive that just cleared the Royals’ right-field bullpen fence. Choo reached base five times, including a double and three walks.
Kennedy yielded five runs and four hits, two of them homers. He walked three.
”Just one really bad inning and it cost us the game,” Kennedy said. ”One pitch, I hung a curveball and the three-run homer was the big swing and it cost us the game. I felt like I pitched better than the line. I really felt like we were going to come back and win.”
Adalberto Mondesi had an RBI double in the Kansas City third and scored on Mike Moustakas’ sacrifice fly.
Rosel Herrera had a run-scoring triple in the fourth for his first extra-base hit and RBI
Mike White Color Rush Jersey , trimming the lead to 5-3.
Delino DeShields‘ bunt single in the eighth scored Jurickson Profar for the final Texas run.
HERRERA TRADED
Just before the game, Royals manager Ned Yost broke the news to closer Kelvin Herrera that he had been traded to the Washington Nationals for three minor league prospects.
”It was one that was a little emotional,” Yost said of the conversation. ”I’ve seen him throw every pitch he’s ever thrown in the big leagues. I’ve seen him come up as a rookie and be a part of one of the best bullpens (with Wade Davis and Greg Holland) in recent history, to be an All-Star and a world champion. We knew this day was coming someday down the road. It’s a chance for him to go play for a winner.”
STRUGGLING
Royals SS Alcides Escobar is in a 3-for-45 drought in his past 12 games.
ROSTER MOVES
Rangers: Andrus was activated after missing 59 games with a broken right elbow. RHP Ricardo Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, where he had allowed one unearned run in 13 1/3 innings. C Jose Trevino was optioned to Double-A Frisco after hitting a game-ending, two-run single in the ninth on Sunday. RHP Deck McGuire was designated for assignment.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: Whit Merrifield was in the lineup as the designated hitter after leaving in the second inning Sunday with a bruised left knee after fouling a pitch off his leg.
UP NEXT
Rangers: LHP Cole Hamels (3-6, 3.69 ERA) starts Tuesday night at Kansas City.
Royals: RHP Jason Hammel (2-7, 4.89) is winless in his last eight home starts.
—
.
