New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees
Post-Practice Media Availability
Thursday, December 11, 2014

How do you light a fire, a sense of urgency and in the same token don't put too much pressure on yourself and play tight?

"There's a lot at stake.  We're playing for a tremendous amount.  We could'nt be playing for more.  So that in itself is something that is exciting, but something we also expected to be playing for.  We are playing to be playing for a lot this year regardless of record or anything else.  As far as really what I would call this week and everything is a sense of urgency.  So yeah there were some roster moves made, yeah some other motivating kind of tactics and yet that is what it is, it is a sense of urgency.  It is creating that mindset that whatever you do you need to have as much focus and commitment to that as you've ever had before.  Let's make this week our best week of preparation yet whether it is on the football field, practice field, in the weight room, in the film room, whatever it is. So that is really what it is about for us, our best week of preparation translating into our best performance."

Do you think this team needed a shakeup to be on the road and accomplish some of those things you just mentioned?

"At the end of the day what it did was it's going to provide some opportunities for guys which I think that can be a good thing and it certainly lets you know that everyone's always fighting for something.  You are always fighting for your job.  You are always fighting for a win and what it means for the team and what it means for what you are trying to accomplish postseason.  So yeah it can be accomplished in many ways but certainly this is one of them."

A friendly reminder of the obvious?

"Sure."

When you get an erroneous report is that something you will address with Coach Payton or your teammates?

"No not really because I think they see exactly what it is.  In many cases it is people trying to create stories."

How much can you take away from winning in Chicago last year?

"I think we can take a lot from it.  I'd say different teams, different scenarios now and yet there are similar personnel in a lot of ways. Just the mentality of hey we went on the road last year and won a big game.  I feel like we've been there a bunch of times since we have been here in 2006 especially late in the year so it would be nice to go there and get a win late in the year."

How much progress have you seen from Seantavius Jones?

"A lot.  He has been awesome.  Whatever you have asked him to do, man, he is young and hungry, really both of our receivers, Brandon Coleman as well.  I am excited for the opportunity he now has and I think it sends a great message and that is there are a lot of guys that have come through this program and started off on the practice squad or started off as third, fourth string, kind of the last guy on the roster so to speak and have just continued to work and have had that vision and that intelligence to know that man if I work hard and I listen and I am coachable and I do the right things, then my opportunity will come.  It is coming for Seantavius."

Can you talk about losing Joe Morgan?

"It's always tough to see guys go especially guys that you've had some time with.  I know Joe kind of had an up and down journey while he was here.  He had some great moments, some great flashes and yet I think at times there are tough decisions that have to be made for whatever reason.  This was one of them.  But again, as we move forward, listen, I really like Joe and I will reach out to Joe and I will always be there for Joe but I think as we look forward we think about who are the guys we do have and who are the guys we are trying to get ready to play and unfortunately that is part of the game sometimes."

Can you talk about your relationship with the Bears and Aaron Kromer, Jermon Bushrod and Marc Trestman?

"I think like anything there is a lot of respect.  There is a lot of respect for Marc Trestman and Aaron Kromer and guys that are now playing for them that used to play here.  It seems like this year we've played quite a few teams that have some former teammates on it.  That Detroit week there was a lot of guys there that have been here.  This last week with Roman (Harper) in Carolina, it seems like every week there is at least one coach or player. Maybe a little bit more with this team but I don't know, does it give you anything extra?  I don't think so.  It's still just an important game.  But I'd say the interesting thing is similar offensive systems.  I think Trestman's background is West Coast.  Sean Payton's background is West Coast so all of those kinds of ties make it a little bit more familiar."

What are your thoughts on the idea that Sean Payton would step away after this season?

"Again I will not comment on stories that I have no idea where they came from or why."

Does a road, primetime game come at a right time for this team?

"I know these are the same questions that were asked before we went to Pittsburgh.  I hope the results are the same.   I guess I could say that.  But again, I think it shakes it up a little bit.  You get an extra day of preparation throughout the week, an extra day to get your body right which is good.  That is always needed this time of year especially for veteran guys.  On the road, primetime, Monday Night Football, everybody is watching.  We are right in the thick of the hunt so man, this doesn't get any better."

After watching the tape, are you able to put your finger on anything on why you guys played the way you played?

"I feel pretty much the same way about it as I did after the game after watching the film.  It is what I thought it was.  I addressed it then and now it is Thursday. That was four days ago.  It is the distant past."