In the league today, there are 1,696 players, and more if you count practice squad. Of those 1,696 players, 90 are quarterbacks. Of those 90 quarterbacks, 32 are starters. Of those 32 starters, there are three you could consider first-ballot Hall of Famers (Brett Favre, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning), along with some others who have an argument (Donovan McNabb, Kurt Warner). Over the years, there have been some elite quarterbacks in the NFL, like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Kurt Warner. But one enters my mind as being a Hall of Famer - and that would be the New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees. Let’s examine why he’s a Hall of Famer.

Stats: As a quarterback in the modern era, there’s no getting around it - the voters are going to look at stats. And Brees has them, there’s no denying it. Drafted by the Chargers in the second round of the 2001 draft, he got his first opportunity in 2002, and started all 16 games. And for a guy who was just starting, he was impressive, with 3,284 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. The next year, he struggled with injuries, missing five games. He had just 11 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. But, like the great ones do, he bounced back. In ‘04, his Chargers shocked the world, going 12-4, led by Drew, a rather unknown quarterback out of Purdue. He made the Pro Bowl, as he finished with 3,159 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. He finished the year tied for seventh in touchdowns, third in quarterback rating, and seventh in yards per passing attempt. The next season was disappointing, though. The Bolts went 9-7, and amidst a quarterback controversy, Brees couldn’t afford to let up, and he did, as he really slipped, with 24 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, and while it’s hardly pedestrian, San Diego let him go. Eventually, the Saints signed him, and boy, has it paid off. In his three-plus years there, he has a 37-23 starter’s record, over 17,000 yards, 117 touchdowns, and just 56 interceptions.

Those are some stats if I’ve ever seen some.

Comparison’s sake: If you compare Brees to other elite quarterbacks in this era, there’s not a titanic difference. In no way am I saying Brees is better than the likes of Brady, Manning, or Favre, but let’s take a look:

*Note: since Brady missed almost all of 2008, I’ll count, the 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009 seasons, excluding ‘08.

Brees over last four seasons: 17,446 yards, 117 TD, 56 INT, 96.9 rating.

Favre over last four seasons: 14,661 yards, 94 TD, 60 INT, 87.7 rating.

Manning over last four seasons: 16,124 yards, 114 TD, 46 INT, 98.9 rating.

Brady over last four seasons: 16,083 yards, 122 TD, 44 INT, 99.1 rating.

Analysis: Overall, Brees is superior to Favre recently, and almost identical to Manning. Manning has fewer touchdowns, but fewer interceptions, and his rating is exactly two points higher. Wow, that’s close. Brady and Brees are also very close. Brees has more yards and touchdowns, but also more interceptions. Compare the ratings: Brady is exactly 2.2 points higher than Drew. So how far apart are they, really?

Refuting one argument: People talk - and they talk about it a lot - about the fact that Brees is just 1-2 in playoff action..but that’s very flawed. Just look at the teams he’s been on. The Chargers have been a solid contender, but not because of defense, more because of high-flying offense. In 2004, the year they went 12-4 (11-4 with Brees), the Chargers were 11th in defense. That’s the only year they went to the playoffs with him. In 2006, Brees led the Saints - formerly known as the “Aints” - to a 10-6 record, and they finished 13th in defense. In 2007, they finished 25th. Last year, they were 26th. But this year, now that they have some dynamic playmakers in Darren Sharper, Tracy Porter, Jonathan Vilma, Chris McAlister, and Will Smith playing to their potential, the Saints are 12-0. Sometimes, a dog just needs a bone. In other words, all that time, Brees was carrying his teams mostly by himself, so it’s no wonder he only has one win in postseason play. Remember, fellow Hall of Famer Dan Fouts had a 3-4 record in postseason play. Sonny Jurgensen never even started in the postseason. Both those guys are in Canton today. Even Peyton and Brett are a combined 19-18. And one thing people fail to mention: in Brees’ three playoff games, he has played well. He has five touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 92.7 rating, but his defense has given up 20, 24, and 39 points. Can Brees be blamed for that?

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If Brees were to retire after the season - which won’t happen - then, I’d probably reconsider. But the funny thing about that is, he’s gotten better each year. And with three more touchdowns - something he might accomplish next week - he has 200 career touchdown passes, not far off from Tom Brady’s 219, and both Tom and Drew have been full-time starters since 2001. With a 206-yard, three-touchdown performance next week, he’ll have 30,000 yards, along with 200 touchdowns. And with the way he improves, I see no reason to believe he’ll fall short of 40,000 and 250 to 300 touchdown passes. Is that not a Hall of Famer?