re: I've lost a little respect for Drew.

I doubt any of us know enough about the negotiations or attempts at structuring the deal for us to consider either side to be totally at "fault".

As I mentioned in another thread, it gets tricky when you determine what a quarterback's "annual salary" is because of signing bonuses, guarantees (front end or back end), etc. Let's just allow the thing to play out.

I'll also repeat that there are reports, not denied by Brees' camp, that prior to the 2011 season, Brees was offered a deal that would have made him the highest paid player in the NFL. It was rejected by Tom Condon, Brees' agent. There various ways to look at that fact. Make of it what you will.