Saints QB Brees Is AP Offensive Player of Year

Brees tied with Rivers, his former teammate with the Chargers, with a league-leading 34 touchdown passes. Brees was fourth in passer rating (96.2) and led the league in attempts (635) and completions (413).

This is an Oct. 19, 2008 file photo showing New Orleans Saints quarterback Dree Brees looking to...

This is an Oct. 19, 2008 file photo showing New Orleans Saints quarterback Dree Brees looking to pass during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C.. Brees won The Associated Press 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, Tuesday Jan. 6, 2009, after nearly setting a passing record for yards. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

(AP)

He also spent much of the season without key weapons like receiver Marques Colston, running back Reggie Bush and tight end Jeremy Shockey, who were plagued by injuries.

Yet Brees kept throwing — and connecting.

"Each year I've gotten better, especially over the last five years," he said. "When I go back to 2004 in San Diego, every year I feel so much more comfortable. I really feel like I've refined my routine and continued to find what works for me. It changes a little bit every year. I tweak it every year to make it a little better, but by doing so, I make myself a better player."

He is the perfect player for coach Sean Payton's system.

"When you look at the body of work for him and you look at what he's been able to do with the number of guys being hurt," Payton said, "you look at his efficiency down the field with throws over 20 yards, over 30 yards. His completion percentage, his red zone, his third-down scoring offense, he's first in every one of those categories. He's worked extremely hard, and when you see what he does in preparation during the work week, it's amazing."

Brees is the first Saints player to win the award.

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