Brees of fresh air

Chargers cast lot with second-year QB as starter

Drew Brees is a second-year QB from Purdue. Stephen Dunn/Allsport

LA JOLLA, Calif. (CNNSI.com) -- After working through the preseason in virtually a dead heat, Sports Illustrated's Don Banks says San Diego head coach Marty Schottenheimer has tabbed second-year QB Drew Brees as the starter over Doug Flutie.

Schottenheimer, who made the announcement following the team's morning practice Monday, told Brees and Flutie of his decision Sunday night after a team meeting. It's the fourth time in as many years that the Chargers go into a season with a new starter.

Entering his first season with the Chargers, Schottenheimer's plan calls for the backup to be used on an as-needed basis from game to game. "Regardless of whom we choose, we're going to need them both throughout the season," he told the San Diego Union-Tribune for Monday's edition,

Brees, the Chargers' second-round draft pick in 2001, played in one game last season. He completed 15 of 27 passes for 221 yards and one touchdown.

"Obviously, one guy was going to be disappointed and one guy was going to be happy," Brees said. "I got to be the happy one, but even with that it's a little bittersweet."

One factor that was in Brees' favor is his youth. Being the franchise's future QB, Brees was drafted to assume the starter's role and Schottenheimer believes the second-year player's time has come.

Flutie, entering his 18th season of professional football -- ninth in the NFL and second with San Diego -- was 294 of 521 passing for a career-best 3,464 yards, 15 TDs and 18 interceptions as the Chargers finished 5-11, losing the last nine consecutive games.

Should Brees struggle, Schottenheimer believes Flutie's experience is better suited to serve in a relief role. Also, Flutie's athleticism gives opposing defensive coordinators something else to game plan for.

"There's no time to sit back and enjoy this or even let it sink in," Brees said. "It's go, go, go for me."

 

Related information

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video