Earning respect

February 10, 2010 Michael Vescio

    Quarterbacks are defined by winning Super Bowls, and by the style in which they do it.
    New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees was sensational at Sun Life Stadium, outplaying the Colts' Peyton Manning in the process.
    Brees threw for 288 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 114.5 as the Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 to give the franchise the first Super Bowl victory in its history.
    The Saints didn't just win a Super Bowl, they carved a path through three championship quarterbacks on their way. Beating Indianapolis is big deal, but beating Kurt Warner, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in succession is bigger.
    All three are Hall of Famers in waiting, and the Saints got to the top by climbing over all of them in the playoffs. The Saints and their supposed leaky defense were awesome in the playoffs. They not only played well, but they sealed the deal in the championship game with late interceptions.
    That was as unforeseen as the Saints actually winning this game.
    The Saints are uniquely different, because this team is made up of so many players other teams didn't want—like Brees, safety Darren Sharper and tight end Jeremy Shockey. Well, they banded together and did the unthinkable!
    As for the prolonged greatness of Manning and everything he's done with a team constantly in the hunt for a Super Bowl—at this moment—is equal to what Brees managed with a brilliant MVP performance on Sunday night.
    But Manning has a long resume of success and will surely be back next season with vengeance. Manning is too much of a competitor, and I would not be surprised to see the Colts back in the Super Bowl next season.
    As for the future of Brees he is now a Super Bowl champion, and he will now be mentioned as one of the best quarterbacks in the game. The New Orleans Saints and Brees have not only won the Super Bowl but have more importantly earned respect.

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