Drew Brees has a message for Peyton Manning: Attack the Seahawks up the middle. Use tight end Julius Thomas, rely on Wes Welker, but try to stay away from Seattle on the perimeter, where the Legion of Boom — also known as the NFC champions’ elite secondary — is at its best.
“They all have really good ball skills,” the Saints quarterback said on Thursday while signing autographs at the PepsiCo Super Bowl Celebration at Bryant Park. “They all have great coverage skills. They’re very instinctive players.
“Up front they’re able to get pressure. Combine all of that and it makes for a formidable defense.”
Brees struggled mightily in a pair of losses to Seattle, throwing just a pair of touchdown passes. Richard Sherman, the self-proclaimed best cornerback in the NFL, didn’t register an interception in those contests, but Brees suggested Manning be careful against him.
“You got to be really smart about challenging him because he’s a really good player,” Brees said. “Pick and choose your moments.”
Brees said he expects it to be an exciting game, full of big plays.
“I imagine they’ll both land punches,” he said. “They’ll make plays on each other.”
Brees said he doesn’t think Sunday’s showdown means much in terms of Manning’s legacy. He believes it’s already established.
“Regardless of whether he wins or not, he’s up there as one of the greatest, if not the greatest,” Brees said. “It’s hard to sit here and say who’s the greatest, who’s the top three. There are probably about 10 guys in the history of the game you can argue to be No. 1.”