METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints are returning to Cleveland on Sunday for the first time since the 2006 season opener – when they beat the Cleveland Browns 19-14 for their first victory in the Sean Payton-Drew Brees era.
Although looking back on it now, the game can be considered the start of something big, Brees recalled it Wednesday as the light at the end of a dark tunnel.
The Saints had no idea what kind of team they would have that summer, when Brees was still recovering from major shoulder surgery and the Saints struggled mightily in the preseason.
“It’s hard to believe that was nine years ago,” Brees said. “I remember us going in just saying, ‘Hey, can we please get a win today?’ Obviously that had been a pretty tough preseason for us, five weeks in Jackson [Mississippi, for training camp], guys had just felt like they had been beaten. Just kind of watching it all come together ...
“We won 19-14. A lot of it was scratching and clawing and after a preseason where we were just kind of hoping we would win one game. I can’t say the expectations were super high at that point. I think it was just about man, let’s just find a way to win, however we have to come together, find a way to win.”
Brees was asked if he remembers the score from every game, or if that one had special meaning.
“You know what’s amazing? I will forget something that I wrote down two minutes ago, five minutes ago or told my wife I would do, like, ‘Yes, I’ll take the trash out before I go to bed,’ and I won’t,” Brees said. “But I can recall games, plays, situations, feelings, thoughts, from just about every game in my entire career.”
Brees completed a modest-but-efficient 16 of 30 passes for 170 yards that day with one touchdown and one interception. The touchdown went to a rookie receiver named Marques Colston – the start of a long and still-thriving partnership.
Another rookie, Reggie Bush, gained 119 yards from scrimmage, while veteran runner Deuce McAllister ran for 90 yards. Another newcomer, linebacker Scott Fujita, set up a field goal with an interception in his Saints debut. Safety Josh Bullocks also had a key interception late, and defensive tackle Brian Young had three sacks.
The Saints started 3-0 that season before finishing 10-6 and reaching the NFC championship game.
“It just seems like a long time ago,” Payton said. “We came out of training camp with a lot of questions, I think. ... It was kind of a one-possession game back and forth. We were able to make some plays. I know Roman Harper had a sack, Colston had his first touchdown. But again, that seems like quite a while ago.”
When asked if he saved the game ball or anything special from his first victory as a NFL coach, Payton said, “I’m sure there’s one in a box somewhere. I’m not sure exactly.”