Charging ahead

'01 draft-day trade established offensive base for Bolts

LaDainian Tomlinson has averaged 1,460 yards rushing and 12 TDs in two seasons. Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

By B. Duane Cross, SI.com

Perhaps 10 years from now we'll all look back on the 2001 NFL Draft and smile with that all-knowing nod that everything worked out the way it was supposed to. San Diego traded out of the top spot that year, allowing Atlanta to snare QB Michael Vick. The Chargers tabbed RB LaDainian Tomlinson with the No. 5 pick acquired from the Falcons, then took QB Drew Brees at No. 32 in Round 2.

At the time, many pundits questioned whether it was the right move for the Bolts. After all, Vick is supposed to be the prototype quarterback for the new-age NFL.

As it turns out, the trade is shaping up to be one of the few deals that benefits both teams. The Falcons have added RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett plus WR Peerless Price, while the Chargers rounded out their skilled-position need by signing WR David Boston in the offseason. But even more than LT and Brees, the Chargers' 2001 draft-day trade garnered CB Tay Cody in the third round, plus a No. 2 pick in 2002 (WR Reche Caldwell) and WR Tim Dwight.

Vick seems to fit the Falcons' offense, while Brees is settling in at the helm of Marty Schottenheimer's ball-control offense. Granted, Brees won't be leaving 11 Minnesota Vikings in his wake during a romp to the end zone, then again he's not asked to do that. What he is asked to do is run the offense, which he did quite capably last season.

Brees' first season as the starter had some big numbers -- 320-of-526, 3,284 yards, 17 TDs and 16 interceptions -- and some low points, most notably losing seven of nine after a 6-1 start to finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.

Nonetheless, Brees told the Journal and Courier that he was pleased -- and looking ahead. "Obviously there were games where I played, in my opinion, horribly," he said. "But that's going to happen. That happens in every young quarterback's career.

"I felt like I started the season pretty well, and I was playing pretty consistent at the middle of the season," Brees added. "And then I kind of fell off and was inconsistent. But the last two games of the season, I felt like I played pretty well. I felt like I was starting to figure some things out and then all of a sudden the season ends. So I felt like I finished on a high note."

While Vick may have had the first postseason appearance of the two QBs forever linked in trade lore, Brees knows his future success lies within himself. "We just need to get the mentality to finish games, to finish the season. Be at our best at the end of the season," he said. "The pro game is fast -- it's all about speed -- but I feel like on game day that things slow down. I've been able to find a comfort zone.

"I'm still very focused on the things that I want to accomplish. I'm in a situation now where, it's like it's my time. With some of the veterans departing, it's leaving room for somebody to step up and kind of lead the team. I know that's got to be me."