Brees has been in the national news more than any other NFL player during this lockout. Sadly, his increased exposure mostly entails scathing comments directed at the lockout in general and the owners more specifially. His latest attack is that the owners saw “blood in the water” when Gene Upshaw died and wanted to exploit that tragedy to tip the scales from a profit standpoint.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Drew Brees’ involvement in the lockout bothers me greatly. Why does it have to be him? Why can’t it be Peyton Manning or Tom Brady? I appreciate the fact that Brees is so passionate about this topic and he’s clearly taken on the responsibility of representing the players. I realize it’s in his blood and Brees is a leader. Still, I’d love for that energy to be spent on the Saints. Brees had an up and down season last year by his standards, and I still maintain part of the reason for that was the post Super Bowl antics that never allowed him to rejuvenate himself for a new season. By the time the season began he was basically just ending his book tour and he never got a chance to wind down. Same thing this offseason, instead of taking advantage of the lockout to workout with his teammates and relax with his family – Brees is once again being pulled in a million different directions. The problem is that no one is making him do this, he’s choosing to. At some point being involved in so many extracaricular activities affects how you play. I believed that already happened last season and I’m fearful it’s going to be more of the same. How can you be at 100% if you never rest?
Brees is making enemies right now and that’s going to cause stress. I’m not saying he shouldn’t fight for a cause he believes in, but is it really necessary to go public and make inflammatory comments like that? Why does he have to be the poster boy for the NFLPA? Isn’t that what DeMaurice Smith was hired to be? This is one of the few times I wish Drew Brees would shut his mouth and concentrate on football. Granted there isn’t much to concentrate on right now, other than the player organized practices, but that’s your chance to enjoy time with your family. I hate to put it like that but I just don’t understand why this is Brees’ battle to fight alone. I think it’s time for him to stop taking overnight flights to DC and let some other high profile NFL player that speaks as well as he does carry the torch, while Brees lays low. I don’t understand why Brees needs to carry this whole load on his back? What have we heard from Manning or Brady this offseason? Not one word. Hasn’t Brees done enough for the time being?
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
