Saints fans celebrate Brees as a savior of sorts

NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees says he understands why some might see it as sacrilegious to print T-shirts referring to him as "Breesus."

The Saints quarterback prefers to think of it as heartfelt affection from fans looking for a football fan's version of salvation after four decades of mostly losing seasons.

Around town, people are wearing Breesus T-shirts. Brees says he's had a few of the shirts tossed inside the window of his car by fans welcoming the team back from road games outside Louis Armstrong International Airport.

Brees has been stellar ever since he joined the Saints as a free agent in 2006, leading an offense that has ranked first in the NFL in two of the last three season and ranks first again so far this season.