Drew Brees vs Matt Stafford

[mprince1901]

Both are obviously awesome, and had awesome seasons last year. I think Brees will play good no matter who is coaching/not coaching. I am concerned though without Sean Payton the offense as a whole might lose order. Do you think brees' numbers will drop this year due to the absence of Sean Payton?

[Wood Chipper]

I would choose the qb who isn't known to be injured.

[m16a]

Both are obviously awesome, and had awesome seasons last year. I think Brees will play good no matter who is coaching/not coaching. I am concerned though without Sean Payton the offense as a whole might lose order. Do you think brees' numbers will drop this year due to the absence of Sean Payton?

First of all, welcome to the Cafe mprince. We've got a great community here. Certainly hope you stick around and enjoy the wonderful resources and people we have here. It's all free, and it's excellent. The Cafe is as good as you make it to be. And we've got people here who work hard to make this place pretty darn awesome. Welcome.


Now, to your question. If anything, I think Brees' numbers may actually go UP without Payton. Reports out of Saints camp has been, in general, that without Payton, the Saints are going to be relying very heavily on the "ol standby's" of the offense. This means getting Graham and Colston the ball and allowing Sproles to be dynamic. All of that funnels through Brees. He's smart, he knows his offense, and the lack of his HC isn't gonna make him worse. Would not be surprised to see him have an even bigger season honestly, since they'll get less fancy, pass more to the big three weapons, and be in a lot of high powered games (they averaged allowed 21.2 points a game last season).

[moochman]

There is also the possibility that the Saints may try and run more to keep D off the field. I am more in the camp of you cannot ask a leopard to change its spots. I go with Brees. Much more established.
Stafford had a career year, Brees has career statistics.

[Fantasyfballchamps]

I like Stafford a lot - and I think Brees is in for a down year. Last year Brees hit a big stride and threw lower INTs, same with Stafford. Consider Stafford's numbers before breaking his pinkie and his numbers are even more impressive.

Even with Payton out - Brees will get his numbers. I have bumped up his INTs because I think he will force more - but he still has Graham and Sproles. Brees will get his numbers.

Stafford's numbers will be solid - take away his 6td game and his TDs look more realistic to what 2012 may bring. I have these two ranked 3/4 for QB - you could literally flip a coin. I have Brees scoring 386 points compared to Stafford's 373. A difference of only 1 point a game.

In the end I like Brees better and would take him before Stafford, but only by 1 pick and would be happy with either.

[benb18a]

Even with a letdown year...Brees is a top 5 quarterback. It's not like he has one or two targets that he feeds the ball to. What truly separates Brees, Brady and Rodgers from the rest is their ability to create, which is why it is not coincidental that those three also have the highest distribution of passes to different targets. Take Megatron from Stafford, and you have a low end fantasy starter at best in Matt. Take Colston or Graham out of the picture, and you have a guy that will still complete 80 passes to a RB and 80+ passes at at least one WR/TE and will spread the ball around the field for another 4000/30 season.

[mprince1901]

Thanks for the warm welcome m16

Even with a letdown year...Brees is a top 5 quarterback. It's not like he has one or two targets that he feeds the ball to. What truly separates Brees, Brady and Rodgers from the rest is their ability to create, which is why it is not coincidental that those three also have the highest distribution of passes to different targets. Take Megatron from Stafford, and you have a low end fantasy starter at best in Matt. Take Colston or Graham out of the picture, and you have a guy that will still complete 80 passes to a RB and 80+ passes at at least one WR/TE and will spread the ball around the field for another 4000/30 season.

This, I think, is the best way to look at it yet. I thought I had exhausted all angles of the argument but one of the most obvious ones. If the dreaded madden curse holds true than Brees will definately need to be my guy. I think I am over analyzing the loss of Sean Peyton lol.