Back in 2006, coming off a severe shoulder injury in San Diego, the Miami Dolphins looked like a done deal.Former Boilermaker and current New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees watches the actions during an NCAA football game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Purdue Boilermakers on November 19, 2016, at the Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN.The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 49-20.
(Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)"On paper, it was Miami all the way.Miami had Nick Saban.
They had just come off a 9-7 season.Defense was lights out.
They were running the same offense we were running."NICK SABAN URGES SENATE TO PASS LEGISLATION TO FIX COLLEGE SPORTS, BUT COACHING CONTRACTS GLOSSED OVERFormer Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga rolled out the red carpet to lure Brees to Miami."I’m sitting there eating dinner on Wayne Huizenga’s yacht.He’s talking about playing golf in Scotland every summer.
No state income tax.I’m like, 'Dude, this is wallpaper.
Miami, here I come.'"Then the Dolphins' medical staff changed everything.In this Dec.22, 2019, file photo, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees warms up for the team's NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn.
DOLPHINS CHEERLEADERS MAKE MAJOR MOVES TO COMPETE WITH COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS, TEBOWS GET OUT & RYAN CLARK!"I’m in Miami in an MRI tube for two hours just aching.They stick these big needles in my shoulder to test the nerve endings.
I got this feeling of doubt.They don't really think I will be able to play.
Their doctors said I had a 25% chance of coming back and playing again."Miami saw too much risk.New Orleans saw a franchise quarterback."New Orleans was six months post-Katrina.
They just hired some unknown head coach named Sean Payton.Who is this guy?"NICK SABAN URGES SENATE TO PASS LEGISLATION TO FIX COLLEGE SPORTS, BUT COACHING CONTRACTS GLOSSED OVERWhile Miami doubted him, the Saints went all in."I go to New Orleans and it was ...