quote:
I was with you until this. You have that story completely backwards. Not being able to get Drew is a huge reason he left the NFL.

A control freak like Saban doesn't want a GM picking his players.

Ahh........ I live in Metro New Orleans. I've been a big-time Saints fan for years. I know the entire Drew Brees story well, so, NO, I don't have the story backwards.

After Brees had his shoulder surgery, from Dr. Andrews, he had offers from two teams, the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints. The Dolphins were far and away his #1 choice.

During the summer before training camp started, Brees couldn't throw a football even 20 yards. So, there was a lot of speculation that he may never be able to throw a football with the velocity needed to be a professional QB. Dr. Andrews cleared Brees and Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis from the Saints accepted it and offered him a $10 Million guaranteed first year contract with a $12 Million option on year 2.

Well........... Saban wasn't comfortable enough with Dr. Andrews assurances and wanted further tests done and wanted Brees to come in and submit to more tests from the Miami Physician staff. Brees told him that he had already went through enough exams and that he had Dr. Andrews full endorsement and wasn't going to do it. Brees and his agent told Saban that if Miami matched the Saints offer, he would sign with Miami. Saban wouldn't and Brees signed with the Saints.

And........... the Saints have gone on to their most successful 10 year run ever and Saban left a year later after Culpepper was a complete failure.