ESPN.com reported that although Brees has said he won't report without a new contract in hand, Saints owner Tom Benson has said the two sides are "close" on a new deal.
"I talked to Drew Brees this morning. ... He is due in next week. We're close," Benson said during a news conference on Friday announcing his purchase of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets.
The Saints placed the exclusive-rights tag on Brees last month, ensuring that he will remain with the Saints for at least one more season, but he hasn't hidden his disappointment that he hasn't received a contract extension.
Benson, however, hinted the team is nearing a long-term deal with the face of his franchise.
The Saints begin voluntary organized workouts on Monday, and Brees will not attend without a renewed deal, a source close to Brees said, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
"It is very upsetting to him not being there Monday," the source said, according to the report on the newspaper's website. "He wants to be there for his teammates."
A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that there have been no recent discussions between Brees and the Saints regarding a new contract.
Meanwhile, Brees, in an email to The Associated Press, called Joe Vitt "the obvious choice" to take over as interim head coach for the Saints while Sean Payton spends the entire 2012 season serving a suspension for his role in the club's so-called bounty system.
"He is the obvious choice and the best choice," Brees said. "I believe I speak for our entire team when I say we believe
http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20120415/SPORTS/204150325
No comments:
Post a Comment