Drew Brees Offers Powerful Insight on Pelicans’ Bright Future and Anthony Davis’ Legendary Impact on New Orleans Basketball
“Watching Anthony Davis develop into one of the top players in the league has been incredible,” Brees said in a recent interview. “He’s always had the talent, but seeing him reach his full potential, especially with the Lakers now, has been rewarding for all of us who followed his journey from the very beginning.”
Brees, who has witnessed firsthand the impact that sports can have on a city, believes that Davis’ success, combined with the growing talent within the Pelicans organization, positions New Orleans as a rising powerhouse in the NBA. “The future is bright for the Pelicans,” Brees continued. “You’ve got young stars, like Zion Williamson, who have all the potential in the world. The pieces are starting to come together, and I think the city is going to see something really special from this team.”
The Pelicans, who have been on an upward trajectory in recent seasons, have built a strong foundation with their young talent. Brees highlighted that the team’s mix of veteran leadership and emerging stars could soon lead to serious contention in the NBA.
“It’s not just about one player; it’s about the entire team growing together,” Brees said. “If they can continue to develop and stay healthy, they’ve got the potential to be one of the top teams in the West. Anthony Davis set the stage for New Orleans, and now it’s time for the next generation of players to take it even further.”
While Davis has moved on to the Lakers, Brees remains confident that his legacy with the Pelicans will continue to inspire the team and the city of New Orleans as a whole. He’s hopeful that the Pelicans will soon reach the heights that Davis helped to set, and that New Orleans will once again be home to an NBA championship contender.
“The Pelicans are in a great position,” Brees concluded. “I can’t wait to see where they go from here.”
Eagles Wanted Free Agent Cornerback To Return, And He'd Look Good Right Now
PHILADELPHIA - Back in late June, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers said he had Oct. 19 circled on his calendar. That date is almost here, and it’s when his former team, the Eagles, will travel to the home of his new team, the Minnesota Vikings, for a Week 7 matchup.
Rodgers said a lot of things about his time with the Eagles, a time that ended before the Eagles would have liked. Through various conversations, it’s been learned that the Eagles prioritized not only bringing back linebacker Zack Baun, but Rodgers, too.
They got one of two done, but couldn't reel in Rodgers. On Monday, two days before the start of free agency, it was leaked that Rodgers had agreed to a contract with the Vikings. A two-year, $15 million deal was announced on March 13.
It's unclear whether Rodgers’ representation ever gave the Eagles a chance to match the offer, but it's likely the Eagles would have at least matched since $7.5 million per year for two years wasn't an exorbitant amount even in an offseason where the organization preached fiscal sanity.
What is clear is that, instead of returning, he took the Super Bowl ring he won during his time in Philly and split. Never mind that the Eagles took a chance on him just days after the NFL suspended him for violating its gambling policy and stuck by him while serving his one-year suspension.
Rodgers: Nothing But Love Between Him And Eagles
Rodgers talked about it in late June, when he showed up at DeVonta Smith’s celebrity softball game in Allentown. He said the process was smooth and knew the Eagles wanted him back.
“It was hard,” said Rodgers, “but things happen in this business. You never know. It was a smooth process, but at the end of the day you have to do what’s best for your family.”
Rodgers said there was still plenty of love between him and Eagles front office and ownership. The Eagles may have a different perspective on that, however, especially with a secondary that is struggling after letting Rodgers and Darius Slay leave in free agency.
Quinyon Mitchell suffered a hamstring in the first half of Thursday night’s game in New York, and his return for Sunday’s game against the Vikings, per defensive coordinator Vic Fangio on Tuesday, “remains to be seen.”
That means the Eagles would be looking starting Adoree Jackson and Kelee Ringo, two players who struggled in the 34-17 blowout loss to the Giants.
“We've got to settle in and find somebody out there that we can rely on,” said Fangio. “I think we have the guys that can do that, we just got to get them playing better.”
Rodgers probably would have been a starter opposite Mitchell from the start of the season, and it would certainly be helpful to have now with Mitchell’s status unknown. He’s played well for the Vikings and was the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after Week 3 for becoming the first player in league history to record an interception for a touchdowns, force a fumble and return that for a touchdown, and force a second fumble in the same game.
The Eagles will see him a lot on Sunday. He has played 93 percent of the Vikings’ snaps and has made 19 tackles to go along with what he did in Week 3.
