Brees has an 84 Throw Power Rating in Madden

Brees Arm Strength

This video popped up in my YouTube recommended and I wanted to cry. :( look at how effortlessly it used to be for him to throw deep shots.

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According to the analytics the arm is still there.

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Pretty sure he used to be mid-to-low 90s. Also, that rating is going to drop in the next few weeks. I put his arm strength at high 70s,

Also interesting is that his Madden awareness rating dropped too.

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We've been watching him so long that we haven't noticed a decline that sharp. Yeah, he can't do that anymore.

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This one to Cooks in 2016 was more recent. The ball travels about 45 yards in the air.

87 yard TD Brees to Cooks

2017 is where you could begin to notice the decline on the deep ball arm strength but it was very subtle. It was the underthrow where Ginn got behind the secondary in the Minneapolis Miracle game that got my attention. Brees put everything he had into the throw & it was still short.

Pick at 1:13 mark

Well some will say that Brees never had that type of deep ball arm strength to begin with but that's not true. Here in 2011, he throws a frozen rope to Henderson 65 yards in the air.

Brees to Henderson 79 yard TD

Now go back to the Divisional playoff game in 2018 at home against the Eagles. Opening play from scrimmage & Ginn once again gets behind the secondary. And once again Brees underthrew him for a pick.

Saints vs Eagles (Opening play)

So many fans were in denial about Brees' declining arm strength the last few seasons but when you study his deep throws from season to season, it was clear to see. Now that it's obvious, it's become the main topic of discussion.

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The pass to Cook in week 1 went about 45 yards in the air.

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And Cook was wide open. It's the only way Brees will attempt that type of throw anymore. Gone are the days of him dropping a 50-60 yard dime that splits the safeties. Those are the type of throws that strike fear in a secondary & cause safeties to have to remain deep. Corners also don't have to respect the possibility of WRs beating them on the deep post. That aspect of our offense is greatly missed right now. That lack of fear is causing the intermediate stuff to become muddled & taken away.