New Orleans Saints open training camp

A model of consistency under center, Drew Brees is in the midst of his 12th training camp with the Saints. This year, the same as all the rest. “Just focusing on the process, I love the process. I love coming up with a plan and then going out and executing the plan. So for me when I do establish that plan each and every off-season and then going into training camp, when I see things begin to work and the results come from it, that’s a good feeling.”
But after missing the playoffs the last three seasons, his approach doesn’t change. In fact, it’s all the more reason to keep on keepin’ on. “The longer that goes I think human nature is, and based upon the pressure that’s put on you is that you press, you press, you press. And you’re so focused on the end result that maybe you just lose track of the process that it takes to get there. So, I’ve always been a firm believer if you focus on the process the result takes care of itself.”
The results do speak for themselves, at least on an individual level. Despite going 7-9 in 2016, Brees threw for more than 5,000 yards for the fifth time. Not to mention, it was the second highest output of his 17 year career. The kind of success and longevity that can only come from not caring about those stats whatsoever. Head Coach Sean Payton said, “Most important thing is for us to win and I think Drew himself would say that. That’s the stat that we’re playing close attention to, and hopefully we’re in a position where we’re not in one-dimensional games, either chasing a lead or chasing a big score. But each week that can vary, so I think our attention is a lot more on the efficiency of what we’re doing.”
“Can’t be looking to Week 1, I’m not looking to Week 1 right now. I’m not thinking about the Minnesota Vikings right now. I’m thinking about how I can make the guys around me better right now, how I can make myself better. I want to compete against our defense every day and make them better. I mean that’s all I’m thinking about right now so it’s just one day at a time. One objective, one goal at a time. So it’s just focusing on the process.”
No other NFL quarterback has thrown for more than 5,000 yards in a season more than once. The Saints have one more closed practice tomorrow morning before strapping on the pads for the public on Saturday.