So Nick Saban addressed the issue of his failure to sign Drew Brees with the Dolphins back in 2006. The sports media is treating his comments ("we made him an offer, but we had to pull it because he failed the physical") as if they are ground-breaking and gospel. But they're not exactly in sync with Brees' version of the events as he told them in his book. Yes, there was an offer, he writes, and yes they had concerns about my physical. The rest of the story, he writes, is that his agent predicted it would happen the night before the Dolphins made the offer, implying that it was a negotiating ploy to low-ball him. He also implied that had Saban showed the kind of confidence in him that Payton had when he visited the Saints, Brees would gladly have signed with Miami, even for less money. Saban, who we are led to believe had total control in Miami, hid behind the doctor's report, and a New Orleans legend was created. But my real issue is this; the unspoken opinion since the Saban interview was finally spoken today, when Jason Taylor said on NFL Live,"if he's in Miami, I have a Super Bowl ring." Now I love me some Drew Brees, but this season should have proven once and for all how important Sean Payton's influence has been on DB's production. I'm not knocking Saban, but Payton is, frankly, a passing game genius. Does anyone really believe Brees would have been as productive for Saban as he's been for Payton?
From reading Drew's book awhile back, my perception was that Saban used his intimidating personality to tell the Miami doctors that their jobs were basically on the line if Brees would have had issues with his shoulder after they said he was in good health. Therefore, the doctors somewhat covered themselves by saying Brees only had a 25% chance of regaining full strength. When Drew visited with the Dolphins, he was only a couple of months out of surgery and not even throwing yet. His doctor (Dr. James Andrews) provided the Dolphins with film of the surgery and an expected recovery time. Drew sounded concerned that the Dolphins medical staff pulled and prodded on his shoulder that was still healing and I believe they were going that extra mile because of Saban.
No, I don't think Miami would've won a SB with Saban and Brees. Remember, they would've had to deal w/ NE every year. A lot harder than playing Tampa, Atlanta and Carolina. Plus, the inclement weather factor. Brees hasn't really fared all that well in wet conditions and cold. Ball is slicker and Brees' hands are non too big, me thinks.
One of the things I thought about when I read that article about how it wasn't Saban's fault that the Dolphins didn't sign Brees was....that it sounded like spin that came from Saban's agent who is trying to deflect or head off criticism of Saban's judgement of NFL talent because he's secretly pimping Saban to a lot of the NFL teams.
From Brees' book..... I jump ahead I could be wrong, but that reads to me as if he's saying if Saban had some guts, Drew Brees would be a Dolphin.
As much as I don't like Saban, it could also be argued that Saban was covering his ass. I think what it really comes down to is Saban had no faith in Drew Brees at the time. And with him having gone through surgery on his shoulder, Saban leaned on the Doctors for the excuses for not taking him. Any way you look at it, Saban missed out and we picked up on it and ultimately we enjoyed some winning seasons for a change.
That's a great question LaSalle... I'd have to say a very enthusiastic NO. The Saints needed that more than my care for where Saban is coaching.
