USA TODAY International Edition
Streaking Saints off, running as projected
NEW ORLEANS — Careful what you ask for from Saints quarterback Drew Brees. He and coach Sean Payton usually do not just draw up ball plays in the dirt. “Gun King ... Trips Right ... 52 Sway ... All Go Special ... XL Across HY,” Brees said Monday night in rapid fire when asked on ESPN what the play call was on his NFL career passing yards recordbreaking pass. That concoction created a 62-yard touchdown from Brees to rookie wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith for a 26-6 lead over Washington with 2:36 to play in the second quarter and put Brees over Peyton Manning’s 71,940 career yards. “So I’ll remember that one for a long time,” Brees said. Few others will remember that play call as much as that play result. Payton, who hugged Brees after the play, will remember the improvisation on the play by Brees, who is known for his preparation and scripted plays, but he can wing it, too. “To be honest with you, he (Smith) wasn’t the first progression,” said Payton, who has been calling Brees’ plays with the Saints since 2006 when they both arrived. “Drew felt the coverage come off, and he made the right decision. It wasn’t where he saw the ball going in its design on a Tuesday at midnight (last week). And that was a credit to him.” It was just a magical Monday for Brees, who went on to finish an amazing 26 of 29 for a career-best .896 completion percentage and 363 yards with 3 touchdowns in directing the Saints to a 43-19 win over Washington at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brees, 39, came in with 71,740 passing yards over 18 seasons and needed 201 to break Manning’s record. He had it beat by 49 yards with a half still to play and had his team up 26-13. “I did not expect to get the ball on that particular play,” Smith said. “It was the second time we ran that play. Cam Meredith got it the first time.” Perhaps that explains why Brees has thrown for so many yards, or 40.9 miles to be exact. He had a lot of options on the play. “It was really a new play, a new thought,” Brees said. “Just this idea that you kind of flood the zone and maybe someone pops open. And that is basically what happened on that play. There were a lot of guys out there. Alvin Kamara, Mike Thomas. We were just running guys all over the place, and I think it might have gotten them a little bit confused.” So did his original description of the play on ESPN. “And Tre’Quan popped right open,” Brees said. Brees and the memorable, playofflike atmosphere in the dome was something to see by the 73,028 mostly Saints fans as well as by the ESPN national television audience. Washington cornerback Josh Norman was also in that viewing number. He was the one Smith ran by unimpeded on the record-breaking play. “It’s crazy to see that and actually be able to play a legend like that,” said Norman, who was benched in the second half. “Like I said earlier in the week, man, he’d throw for 5,000 yards just like he’s sleeping.” Brees does lead the NFL with five 5,000-yard passing seasons, and no other NFL quarterback in history has more than one. “I played so many great quarterbacks, and he is at the top of them all right now,” Norman said. “I just want to congratulate him. That’s their moment right there, and you want to cherish those moments. I told him to pretty much keep going strong, and he’s not done yet.” Apparently, the Saints (4-1) are not either as they lead the NFC South. It was their best and most complete game of the season with their largest margin of victory and came a week after another blowout, 33-18 against the Giants on the road. They are starting to look like the team projected to go to the Super Bowl. The Saints have an open week before playing at Baltimore (3-2) on Oct. 21 and at Minnesota (2-2-1) on Oct. 28. The defense continues to improve after a slow start, though starting cornerback Marshon Lattimore left the game in the first half with a concussion. Still, the Saints allowed only 275 passing yards to Washington quarterback Alex Smith and intercepted him. The Redskins managed just 39 yards rushing on 18 carries for a 2.2.-yard average. “I thought defensively, we did a great job,” Payton said. Meanwhile, Saints veteran running back Mark Ingram returned after a fourgame suspension for testing positive for performance- enhancing drugs and gained 53 yards on 16 carries with two catches for 20 yards. Smith caught three passes for 111 yards with the 62-yard touchdown and a 35-yard touchdown. Meredith caught five for 71 yards, and Michael Thomas had four receptions for 74 yards. The Saints also put up 447 total yards, with only 24 rushing and 15 receiving form elusive and versatile Alvin Kamara. “Tre’Quan stepped in and did a magnificent job,” Brees said. “Credit to him for the way he has come along here in his rookie season. Really made a ton of progress each and every week, especially the last couple weeks. This kid can really be a big part of our offense. We also got some other pieces as well. We got Mark Ingram back. Cameron Meredith is coming along. And so, we feel like we have a lot of weapons, and we feel we have a lot of ways to spread the ball around and really be productive.” The all-time passing yards record is in the books at 72,103 and counting along with the all-time completions mark that Brees set earlier this season and has built up to 6,370. “I still feel like there’s work to be done,” he said.