Drew Brees doesn't hold any grudges against his former team
It might be just another game on the preseason schedule for the New Orleans Saints, but it means a little bit more to quarterback Drew Brees.
Brees will lead the Saints into their third preseason game against his former team, the San Diego Chargers. The same San Diego Chargers that jettisoned Brees following the 2004-05 season in favor of a rookie upstart named Phillip Rivers.
Brees has gone on to lead the Saints to their first-ever Super Bowl title last season, and Rivers has established himself as a top-tier NFL quarterback. It was a move that has turned out well for both teams.
It will be the second time the two have faced on another in game competition since Brees left town.
The Saints topped the Chargers during a 2008 regular season game 37-32 at Wembley Stadium in England.
Brees has played sparingly so far in the preseason, but the Saints starters are expected to see playing time into the third quarter Friday.
In an interview with CBSsports.com, Brees said that he learned a lot about football during his five-year career with the Chargers.
“I had five great years there and I learned a lot,” Brees said. “I learned a lot about myself as a player and a person. I feel like I grew and developed a lot in all those years. There were a lot of people in San Diego that helped with that.”
Brees said that doesn’t hold any kind of grudge, and recognized the business side of the league because of his departure.
“The whole idea is that adversity makes you stronger,” Brees said. “You find a way to come back stronger from anything that you face. I’m appreciative of my time there and I think it’s all worked out the way it was supposed to.”