By Tom James, CNHI News Service
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Drew Brees did his best Wednesday to pump up Purdue University's football program as much as possible.
Since his appearance during a New Orleans Saints Super Bowl press conference coincided with national signing day for NCAA football teams, Brees thought the time was right and took a few minutes to state his case for attending his alma mater.
"Well, being that Florida's a high school football mecca, just like the state of Texas, I would like to encourage all Florida high school players to consider Purdue when looking for an institution of higher education and playing in the Big Ten conference and all those things," the Saints' Pro Bowl quarterback teased.
While Brees' comments were made with a smile on his face, the meaning was clear. The former All-Big Ten Conference signal-caller, who led Purdue to a Rose Bowl appearance in 2001, remains a loyal Boilermakers fan.
"Obviously, I have an affinity for Purdue, not only because I went there, but just because they were one of the few schools that gave me an opportunity coming out of high school. I wasn't that highly recruited. Really, it was Purdue and Kentucky," he recalled.
"Both of those coaches, Joe Tiller at Purdue and Hal Mumme at Kentucky, had just gotten (hired) in December of my senior year (of high school) and were trying to throw together a recruiting class. I wasn't getting any calls at the time. They called me up, set up the official visit, and I chose Purdue because of the great education, playing in the Big Ten conference and having an opportunity to play in that spread offense. I know that high school recruiting continues to get taken to the next level as far as kids committing a year or more in advance. But definitely consider Purdue, all you guys down here in Florida."รน
Watching Curtis Painter
Brees has kept a close watch on the young NFL career of another former Purdue quarterback, Indianapolis Colts rookie Curtis Painter.
Painter was a sixth-round pick by Indianapolis last spring and began the regular season as the team's No. 3 quarterback behind starter Peyton Manning and primary backup Jim Sorgi. But with Sorgi suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in November, Painter moved up on the Colts' depth chart.
He was able to get some playing time in the final two games of the regular season, losses to the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. Brees, though, was quick to point out Wednesday that Painter is still learning what it takes to be a quarterback in the NFL.
"I'm happy for Curtis. I obviously followed his career very closely at Purdue. I go back to Purdue at least once a year, and have a chance to see him as well as everybody within the football program. I've always been impressed with him, just the way that he has handled everything, both the ups and downs. I think he has fought through his fair share of adversity. Then to get an opportunity to come and play at the next level and be a backup to one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and of all time, really, I feel like that's great for him," Brees said.
"I know (Painter has) had a chance to play a little bit this year, especially late in the season, and that's the only way you learn. That's the only way you get better, when you get those (repetitions). Obviously, you're not getting a whole lot of reps sitting behind Peyton Manning, but I've been happy for him."
Roby needed tickets
Former Indiana University wide receiver Courtney Roby had a lot of family make the trip south for Super Bowl XLIV.
Roby grew up in Indianapolis and attended North Central High School. Some members of his extended family couldn't get tickets for Sunday's game, but it wasn't like the former Hoosier didn't try to help.
"We only got a maximum of 15, so after that 15, everybody was on their own," Roby said Wednesday. "It's very tough. I have a very big support system around me with friends and family and everybody like that. So it was tough to tell people no. You know, you want everybody who has been there since day one to experience this. It was tough, but everybody understood."
Most of his relatives are expected in the area sometime today.
"I'm getting everybody down here and enjoying this time as well. It's important to me. But my focus right now is on this game. Once they get down here, they'll have all the fun that they want to, but obviously my head will be in the game," he said.
Scouting the Colts
In addition to Roby, who spent time with Indianapolis during the preseason last year, at least two other New Orleans players know the Colts pretty well.
Defensive end Jeff Charleston played for Indianapolis in 2007 while defensive end Paul Spicer, an Indianapolis native, lined up against the Colts twice each season when he was a starter for AFC South rival Jacksonville.
"(The Saints coaches) have asked me a few things (about the Colts), like how certain guys react to certain plays. But that's about all," Charleston said, adding that he expects Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney to try to play against the Saints.
"I think that he'll try it. I don't know if he will (play or not), but I think that he'll give it a shot and see what happens."
Spicer, meanwhile, caused a few problems for Colts right offensive tackle Ryan Diem in previous meetings. He's tried to offer suggestions to the New Orleans coaching staff.
"They've asked me about how (Indianapolis) lines up and their offensive tempo," he said. "So I'm trying to help the guys out and give them a little bit of an idea of how Peyton calls his plays at the line of scrimmage. Stuff like that."
A standout defensive lineman at Indianapolis' Northwest High School, Spicer wasn't happy to learn that a few high schools in the city were going to drop football from their sports programs.
"I don't believe it," he said. "Whoever thought that idea up isn't thinking right. Football gave so much to kids in the kind of area that I grew up in. Opportunities to go to college and make something of themselves. It's a dumb idea to drop a sport like football in those areas."
