Drew Brees has no problem with playing the Super Bowl in a cold-weather city, but he would much rather be playing in this one on Sunday.
The Saints quarterback disagreed with comments made earlier this week by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who ripped the decision to have next year’s Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium. Flacco described having the NFL’s biggest game in a cold-weather city as “retarded.”
“It is what it is,” Brees said. “You deal with the elements whatever they are. It would be an honor to play in the Super Bowl [next year], I hope we get that opportunity.”
Brees, who is promoting a Super Bowl contest for fans sponsored by Pepsi, actually thinks the timing of the first ever New York-New Jersey Super Bowl is good for the area, which is recovering from Hurricane Sandy, similar to the way New Orleans needed to recover following Hurricane Katrina.
“I think the timing of the Super Bowl being in New York [is good,]” Brees said. “With Hurricane Sandy and the devastation that it caused in that New York-New Jersey area, now all of a sudden it creates a big sense of urgency, not just for the communities to come together, but I think for the nation to really look to find ways to help those areas that were affected to get them back as quickly as possible so New York and New Jersey can put their best foot forward for the Super Bowl. Not only will it bring a lot of positive attention but much-needed resources.”
While Brees disagreed with Flacco’s stance on next year’s Super Bowl, the Former Super Bowl MVP heaped praise on the Ravens’ signal-caller, who has emerged as one of the best playoff quarterbacks in the league.
“I think [Flacco] is one of these guys that has not received the credit that he deserves, in fact, it kind of seems like he receives criticism that’s probably unwarranted and yet he always seems to respond in a positive way,” Brees said. “You can’t argue with the numbers and what he’s been able to accomplish in his first five years, he’s been to the playoffs every year, has won at least one playoff game in each of his first five years. It’s been pretty impressive in my opinion what him and his team have been able to accomplish.”
Coming off of a 13-3 season, the Saints were expected to make a run at becoming the first team to ever play in the Super Bowl when it was held in their home city. Brees and the Saints finished 7-9 following a slew of suspensions, including a full season ban for head coach Sean Payton, following Bountygate.
“Obviously we want to move onto next year as quickly as possible, our head coach has been reinstated so we’re excited about that,” Brees said. “We’re not going to put any labels on ourselves but we always have that expectation that we are going to be a contender. I think we’ve built up a reputation, over the last five years especially, of being a team that knows how to win.”
Brees did offer his opinion of Sunday’s contest, and while declining to make a direct prediction, expects a close game between two similar teams.
“I’m really interested to see this game because I think that both quarterbacks are playing at a high level, albeit in different styles,” Brees said. “I think both defenses are playing extremely well and both teams have traveled an interesting road to get here. I think it’s going to make for one heck of a football game.”
asulla-heffinger@nypost.com