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Purdue QB Drew Brees  

Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
Oct. 16, 2000

He holds Big Ten records with 1,419 career attempts and 875 completions and 10,726 career total offensive yards. (Allsport)

Check out what Purdue quarterback and Heisman hopeful Drew Brees had to say during his chat with CBS SportsLine.com.

Brees, a promising candidate for the 2000 Heisman Trophy, has helped lead his team to upsets over Michigan and Northwestern. Against the Wolverines, he completed 38-of-45 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns. He passed for 239 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 56 yards as the 21st-ranked Boilermakers beat Wildcats, 41-28.

This season, Brees has completed 180-of-293 passes for 2,170 yards, 17 TDs and three interceptions. He holds Big Ten career records for attempts, completions and total offensive yards, and he is 168 yards shy of tying Iowa's Chuck Long for the Big Ten record for passing yards (10,461).

As strong academically as he is on the field, Brees, an industrial management/manufacturing major, earned a 4.0 grade point average during the spring 2000 semester. He has been on the Dean's List for the third time in the last four semesters and carries an overall GPA of 3.42. See chat transcript below.

Question: What would it mean to you take Purdue to the Rose Bowl, after all you've been through the past few years and earlier part of this year?

Drew Brees: I was thinking about that today.. That is something that would mean a lot to me, my teammates and the program. With this being my fourth year in Coach Tiller's system, and all the seniors' fourth year it would mean leaving Purdue knowing we gave it our best.

Question: The remaining teams on the schedule all are beatable, which do you think will be the biggest challenge?

Drew Brees: I think playing on the road against Wisconsin and Michigan State. Any Big 10 road game is hard. Ohio State is tough too.. all of the remaining games are tough. But Wisconsin, being next is the hardest.

Question: Being in the Purdue Band, I know the team comes and sings Hail Purdue with the band after every home victory, and I thought it was truly an awesome sight when it happened at Northwestern. What inspired the team to sing Hail Purdue with the fans after the Northwestern victory?

Drew Brees: Well actually we always do it when we win on the road. If the band is there we find the band. If not we find the Purdue section, where our parents are and sing.

Question: The message boards light up with talk about Drew. You are quoted in virtually every news article about the Boilermakers, even the business school's magazine had you on the cover (you look good with a laptop by the way)...how do you stay calm and focused? How does the rest of the team deal with it?

Drew Brees: Actually it is pretty easy. I am focused on what I want to accomplish this semester with the season and academics. My schedule is structured. I have everything in order, what I am going to do and when. When I am asked to talk about the team I do it.. it is something I take a lot of pride in.

Question: How much has the emergence of Montrell Lowe helped take pressure off of you and the passing game??

Drew Brees: Oh man, it's great! He has really started to blossom this year like he did last year. He hasn't skipped a beat. That is a tribute to him and the offensive line. By us having a strong running game it causes teams to be concerned about it and helps open up the passing game. They compliment one another.

Question: In your eyes, what cornerback poses the greatest threat college football?

Drew Brees: Well.. Hmm.. I have faced some good ones since I have been at Purdue. A good one we have to face this week is Jamar Fletcher. He has no weakness. We hope to take what he'll give us.

Question: Describe what being a Quarterback in the NFL will mean to you next season?

Drew Brees: Well that is another life-long dream! You just hope you get in a system that will help you develop. I hope I get in a situation where I can help the team right away. At that level it becomes a lot tougher. But it is such a team game everyone is important. I know there is a lot of pressure that comes with it but I look forward to that opportunity.

Question: Drew, have you spoken with any of the young quarterbacks in the NFL who have been in a similar situation as yours, such as Manning or Couch?

Drew Brees: Yes. I have talked to Peyton a few times at awards ceremonies and banquets. Last time I talked to Couch was on a visit to Tennessee. I have talked to Chad Pennington a few times too. And I have watched some film on them all as well. Hoping to learn a few things about how they play and their attitude toward the game.

Question: What NFL team would you like to play for ideally?

Drew Brees: A team with a west coast offense. Perhaps go back home and play for the Cowboys. Or the Dolphins or.. whatever team needs a QB, really.

Question: Hi Drew, What would you consider your biggest weakness?

Drew Brees: There are things I am working on. I don't really think I have a BIG weakness. I can always be a more accurate thrower, a smarter player, a QB who can manage the game to perfection.. I can work on all those things.

Question: How much extra attention has Special Teams received in practice?

Drew Brees: A lot! All the coaches have taken part in the Special Teams part of practice. They work with a different group each day to help them improve. And the kicking game is definitely improving.

Question: One of my favorite memories of you was the sportsmanship you showed when Wisconsin won in Ross Ade last year, when you congratulated Ron Dayne on a great game. Who has been the most influential person in your life to teach you sportsmanship?

Drew Brees: My parents. They've always taught me to be a good winner and a good loser. They never forced me to play any sports I didn't want to. The just told me that if I choose to do something, make sure I work hard at it.

Question: Can your Mom still beat you at Tennis?

Drew Brees: Heh! Occasionally!

Question: How did you practice your aim and power back in the day?

Drew Brees: I guess I have always been involved in sports where it involved accuracy.. a pitcher, a QB. I always had to work hard being accurate in baseball because I didn't throw as hard. In high school I was the 3rd best pitcher on the team. A lot of it is mechanics. If you focus on your target and work on it a lot.

Question: Do you ever get on the net and go to different sites to see what people are saying about you or the Heisman Race?

Drew Brees: No, I don't. I will read articles about the team or players on the team. But rarely do I look at myself or things about the Heisman and myself.

Drew Brees: Thank you all for writing and thanks for the questions. Be watching us this week against Wisconsin and cheer us on to the Rose Bowl!!