What Drew Brees did Monday night was special.
With one game left, the New Orleans Saints quarterback broke the 27-year-old record held by Dan Marino for passing yards (5,084) in a single season.
But a little perspective is needed for Brees’ accomplishment.
When Marino set the mark in 1984, only one other quarterback (Neil Lomax) was within 1,000 yards of him.
This year, two other quarterbacks — Tom Brady (187 yards away) and Aaron Rodgers (441) — also have a chance to pass Marino, and seven passers have already thrown for more than 4,000 yards, with three others less than 150 yards away.
Brees is also on pace to break the single-season record for completions and completion percentage. Rodgers has a higher passer rating than Peyton Manning’s record mark in 2004. And Cam Newton already broke Manning’s rookie record for passing yards.
The game has changed and no position has benefited more than quarterback.
Defensive backs are restricted from making any contact with receivers in the secondary. Nearly every sack and quarterback pressure is dissected because of the highly enforced roughing the passer rules. And even the popularization of the back-shoulder throw has allowed quarterbacks the ability to complete a pass to a covered target.
It’s never been more difficult to play defense in the NFL.
And the elite quarterbacks are taking advantage and destroying the record books.
But the fact that Marino’s record has survived this long is a testament to the year he had in 1984 and reiterates how special a passer Marino was throughout his career. Marino is remembered for his arm strength, quick release and eye-popping statistics. But above all, Marino is known for never winning a Super Bowl — a fact that often leaves him off lists of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.
Barry Sanders is often considered the best running back of all time despite winning just one playoff game in his career. But quarterbacks are held to a different standard when evaluating a player’s legacy, which has led to an unfair assessment of Marino’s transcendent career.
And maybe Brees breaking Marino’s record will finally help the Dolphins’ legend get the respect he deserves.
