Saints Brees confident he'll play vs. Panthers

Saints quarterback Drew Brees took the field Mike Nugent Jerseywearing his usual red No. 9 practice jersey with shoulder pads on underneath. If not for the fact that he didn't throw a pass, there would have been no obvious indication that he is in a race to recover from a bruised rotator cuff by Sunday, when New Orleans tries to avoid dropping to 0-3 at Carolina. ''I have every intention of playing, but I do have to take it day-to-day,'' Brees said after practice Wednesday. ''Obviously you're dealing with something where you've got to be smart because you don't want to http://www.officialbengalsnflshop.com/WOMENS_YOUTH_MOHAMED_SANU_JERSEY.htmlaggravate it, reinjure it, hurt it more, make it worse. So there's a balance to what we're doing here in regards to rehab and recovery and rest.'' Brees' injury further complicates matters for the Saints' offense, which has performed below the elite standard it has met since coach Sean Payton and the franchise's all-time leading passer joined the franchise in 2006. The Saints, who averaged 411 yards and three TDs per game last season, have averaged about 366 yards and two TDs per game through Week 2 of this season. Brees was hurt on a hit in the second quarter of last Sunday's 26-19 loss at home to Tampa Bay. He never left the game, http://www.officialbengalsnflshop.com/WOMENS_YOUTH_PAUL_DAWSON_JERSEY.htmlfinishing 24 of 38 for 255 yards and one touchdown. Saints right tackle and offensive captain Zach Strief said he couldn't argue with anyone who says the Saints' offense hasn't been as potent as usual. ''I don't blame anyone for pointing Ken Boyer Jerseyout things that are true and verifiable,'' Strief said. ''We have to move the ball on first and second down and stay out of these situations where we're third-and-10. ... We haven't done enough of that the first two weeks and we've got to get it straightened out.'' But Brees asserted that the Saints' offense has ''the opportunity to do a lot of great things here in the near future.'' ''We have all the guys to do it,'' Brees said. ''It's just a matter of just coming together, and if you have a little success, if you can start to lock in on some of the things you can be really good at, I think then we'll start cooking.'' Brees, listed as ''limited'' on Wednesday's injury report, hasn't missed a start because of http://www.officialcardinalsmlbshop.com/authentic-20-lou-brock-jersey.htmlinjury since joining New Orleans in 2006. Carolina safety Roman Harper, Brees' former teammate in New Orleans, said he'll believe Brees isn't playing ''when I see it.'' Carolina cornerback Charles Tillman added that uncertainty surrounding Brees ''doesn't change our preparation.'' ''Not at all,'' Tillman continued. ''The minute you doubt Drew Brees, you've lost.'' If Brees sits, the starter will be veteran Luke McCown, who happens to be part of a new national advertising campaign in which he touts how good the backup systems of a mobile phone system would work if they only had the chance.