AFC News & Notes

Once again, more from the giant arm of the NFL's Media Department. This time, it's news and notes on the upcoming AFC games this weekend.

AFC NEWS ‘N’ NOTES

How difficult is it to start as a rookie offensive lineman in the NFL?

"It’s extremely difficult," says Baltimore Ravens All-Star center MATT BIRK, who is a 12-year NFL veteran.  "There’s a lot of stuff going on there.  I know I wasn’t even close to doing it."

Tennessee Titans offensive line coach and Pro Football Hall of Fame guard MIKE MUNCHAK says one of the challenges as offensive linemen shift to the NFL is facing top-notch competition each Sunday.

"Every week you are playing against great football players," says Munchak, who tutored Titans Pro Bowl tackle MICHAEL ROOS in his rookie season in 2005.  "That is the biggest difference for a lineman coming into this league.  In college you may have one or two big games or opponents, but the other eight or nine you may just be better than the guy you are playing against.  You don’t have that luxury in this league."

Through Week 2, NFL rookie offensive linemen have totaled 19 starts – the second-most through the first two weeks of a season since 1970.  On Kickoff Weekend, 10 rookie offensive linemen started – the most in a single season since 1970.

Rookie offensive linemen have traditionally been introduced to a starting role in the NFL at a slower pace, but according to former Dallas Cowboys vice president of player personnel (1960-1989) and NFL.com senior analyst GIL BRANDT, the timetable is accelerating.

"It starts at the high school and college level," says Brandt.  "Everybody is throwing the ball more, so offensive linemen are spending more time in games and practices pass blocking.  Offensive linemen are more prepared to handle passing situations and they have improved their pass protection techniques before they enter the NFL."

The most starts by rookie offensive linemen through two weeks of a season since 1970:

Munchak, who played in 159 career games for the Houston Oilers (1982-1993), is well versed on technique and says the challenge for any young NFL lineman is to grasp pass blocking.  

"I think run blocking for the most part doesn’t change a whole lot from college," says Munchak.  "The technique may be a little different, but it is not going to be as dramatic.  In the pass game to me, there is a lot more going on.  Unfortunately, it is not just blocking the guy over you, it is the confusion the defense presents that gives you that second of delay and is the reason why you get beat."

Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl tackle JAKE LONG, who started all 16 games as a rookie last season, says that he relies on his fundamentals to survive the rigors of the NFL.

"Technique and hard work, working on your hands working on your feet, if you have great technique it can take you a long way, I think even more than ability," says Long.  "There are some things that you have to learn and do differently, but the basic core things that I learned in college are what got me here.  You have to keep those principles and learn some new things from the coaches here."

The 10 rookie offensive linemen that have totaled 19 starts through Week 2:

*Vasquez started at right guard on Kickoff Weekend, but did not in Week 2.

(NFC News & Notes after the 'Jump')

NFC NEWS ‘N’ NOTES

Three years after signing as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints, quarterback DREW BREES continues to make his mark as one of the league’s best both on and off the field.  And the veteran quarterback has played a significant role in both the revitalization of the Saints and the city of New Orleans. 

"In 2006, New Orleans and I were on identical planes," says Brees.  "The city was coming back from Hurricane Katrina and I was coming back from a serious shoulder injury.  Not too many people gave New Orleans a shot and not too many people believed I could come back.  But the Saints, Mr. (TOM) BENSON, (general manager) MICKEY LOOMIS and (head coach) SEAN PAYTON believed in me just like they believed in New Orleans.  I am forever grateful they had faith."

Now in his fourth season with the team, Brees has started all 50 regular-season games since 2006 and in that time leads the NFL with 14,579 passing yards, 97 touchdown passes and 25 300-yard games:

"Drew Brees is good all over the field," says NFL Network analyst and former head coach STEVE MARIUCCI.  "He’s got it all.  Not just physical skills, but he’s got an offensive-minded head coach, a play-caller that likes to wing it and a good group of receivers and backs that have good hands and can get the yards after the catch.  He’s thrown for 300 yards in 50 percent of his games, which is amazing.  Some guys do that maybe five times in their career, yet he’s done it 25 out of 50 times in his career with the Saints."

Brees’ 14,579 passing yards since 2006 are the most ever by a player in his first 50 games with a new team (rookies and veterans). 

"Drew is an amazing competitor," says Payton.  "Everything he sets out to do, he tries to figure out the best way to win.  He is obviously very talented, but his preparation and focus is unique."

Last year’s Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year passed for a franchise-record 5,069 yards, the second-most in NFL history (5,084, DAN MARINO, 1984), and 10 300-yard games, tied for the most in a single season in league annals (RICH GANNON, 2002). 

"Drew’s the best quarterback I’ve ever been around," says 13-year safety DARREN SHARPER.  "When it comes to being smart with the football, reading the field, making the throws and being accurate, he’s the best I’ve ever seen."

This season, Brees has gotten off to another scorching start, leading the Saints to a 2-0 record while passing for 669 yards and nine touchdowns.  His nine touchdown passes are tied for the most ever in the first two games of a season (CHARLEY JOHNSON, 1965).  New Orleans has scored at least 45 points in each of the first two games to become just the fourth team in NFL history to score 45+ points in the first two games of a season (1920 Rock Island Independents, 1962 Detroit Lions, 1968 Oakland Raiders). 

"Each year, I feel like I’ve gotten better," says Brees.  "I really feel like I’ve refined my routine and continued to find what works for me.  By doing so, I make myself a better player."

Since joining the Saints, Brees has posted the only three 4,000-yard passing seasons in franchise history and is one of only five players in NFL history to pass for at least 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.

                                                         *Active streak

"Drew Brees has been nothing short of phenomenal since coming to New Orleans," says Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and FOX analyst TROY AIKMAN. 

Over the past three seasons, Brees has been selected to two Pro Bowls and was also named a co-winner of the 2006 WALTER PAYTON NFL Man of the Year Award (LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON), honoring his excellence on the field as well as in the community. 

"Being named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year was a tremendous honor," says Brees.  "The first and most important thing about the award is the namesake, Walter Payton.  He represented everything that is good about our league, the kind of man he was, the integrity and professionalism both on and off the field." 

Brees has continued his charitable work in the community through his Brees Dream Foundation, with the mission to provide care, education and opportunities for children facing adversity. 

"From the moment Drew joined us," says Benson, "he took the reins as a leader both on and the off the field."