METAIRIE D.K. Metcalf Jersey , La. (AP) — If Drew Brees maintains his recent form through the bulk of this season, the record-setting Saints quarterback could wind up having one of his best years yet at the age of 39.Brees’ completion rate is 80.6 percent through the first three games — high even by his standard.But is it sustainable?“I don’t see why not,” Brees said. “I mean, listen, it’s not easy.”No, he’s just made it look that way.Brees began the season 78 completions behind Brett Favre’s record of 6,300 and needed barely more than two games to set a new mark — now 6,326 and counting. Brees has completed 104 of 129 passes for 1,078 yards and eight TDs with no interceptions.This after he set the NFL record last season for completion rate at 72 percent.And he’ll likely break Peyton Manning’s record of 71,940 yards passing within two more games. He’s 417 yards away from that mark.While Brees is pleased by his statistical production, he said he measures his performance more by the quality of his decisions.“I’ve always had a goal that I want to continue to get better each and every year. Sometimes you can’t always measure that,” Brees said, offering the example of how throwing the ball away shows up as an incompletion, but is markedly preferable to taking a sack or committing a turnover.“There’s certain things stats don’t always show as to your true production,” Brees said. “I want to build confidence with my offense. I want to be in control of the huddle. I want to lead the huddle. I want to make those guys believe and get the best out of them.“And I want to make great decisions when I have to opportunity — and then produce. So as long as I’m able to do those things, that’s what drives me.”The bulk of Brees’ passes have gone to receiver Michael Thomas and to running back Alvin Kamara. It’s hard to argue with that decision-making. Both have made a number of clutch plays in New Orleans’ two victories, and even in their 48-40 loss to Tampa Bay — blame for which could hardly be pinned on New Orleans’ offense.Thomas has 38 catches — the most by an NFL player through the first three games of a season. He also has 398 yards and three TDs receiving.In discussing his high completion rate, Brees said Thomas has been a “huge” factor.“He’s a great target. He’s a great matchup,” Brees said. “It’s good to have the weapons that we have on offense. More so than that, it’s good that everybody has the mindset that they have, and that is that at any time, their number could be called.”Kamara has caught 30 passes for 298 yards and one TD receiving. He often catches the ball out of the backfield.While such throws tend to yield modest gains and are often considered “check-down” throws — safer http://www.seahawksfootballauthentics.com/cody-barton-jersey-authentic , easier alternatives to throwing downfield — Brees is unapologetic.“It’s about identifying matchups. It’s making sure that you get positive plays,” Brees said. “In just about every case, a completion is a positive play, right? So maybe that’s the difference between you being third-and-7 and third-and-4. And when you look at the percentages of conversion (on third-and-short vs. third-and-long), then that’s a big deal.”Saints players have long raved about Brees’ work ethic, adherence to routine, command of the game plan, knack for reading defenses and ability to make wise decisions.But his aging body still has to be able to make throws under pressure and even scramble once in a while, as he did for a 7-yard touchdown in a victory at Atlanta last Sunday.Saints receiver Austin Carr, who worked out with Brees last summer, said the quarterback’s routine “is serious.”“He knows what he needs — what kind of workouts, what kind of training he needs that gives him that durability, gives him the physical edge,” Carr said. “He’s a guy who’s always looking for the edge.”Brees used a spin move to avoid a potentially heavy hit by two converging Falcons defensive backs before taking two quick steps and diving into the end zone for a tying score late in the fourth quarter.It was not a third-down play; Brees could have thrown the ball away or slid to protect himself after crossing the line of scrimmage. In this case, he decided it was time to do more.For teammates such as tight end Josh Hill, the TD scramble was a reminder of how many ways Brees still can win a game.“Probably the most competitive person I’ve ever been around and that’s a prime example of it,” Hill said. “A lot of guys would just slide in that situation and protect themselves, but the game’s on the line and he knew what he had to do.” NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at the top, two more QBs along the way — and a whole lot of guys who like nothing better than putting passers on the ground.That was the look for the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night.Arizona defied NFL custom and at least temporarily created a quarterback quandary by selecting Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray to start proceedings in a wet and wild selection show.As thousands of fans withstood rain that began just about when Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke Murray’s name, the Cardinals spent a second straight high pick on a signal caller. Arizona moved up from 15th overall to 10th in 2018 to grab Josh Rosen.NFL teams simply don’t do that, but with a new coach in college-trained Kliff Kingsbury Gary Jennings Jr. Jersey , the Cardinals made the bold move. At least until they likely move Rosen elsewhere in a trade.“My job is to come in every day, work hard and get better each and every day, do what I can to make this team better,” Murray said. “I’ve known Josh since high school, so me and him are cool. We got along really well, so I’ve always been fond of him. But us being teammates now, I can’t control anything but going in there and working hard.”Resplendent in a pink suit — nothing close to the Cardinals red he will be wearing in Arizona — Murray was a first-round baseball pick by the Oakland A’s. He becomes the 22nd Heisman Trophy winner to go first overall and is the second straight Sooners quarterback to pull it off: Baker Mayfield went to Cleveland in 2018.“BACK TO BACK!!!!! CONGRATS K1!!!! Well deserved my brotha!!!” Mayfield tweeted.As for bypassing baseball, Murray has no qualms about the decision.“I love playing multiple sports. I grew up playing multiple sports,” he said. “I just think there’s no reason to limit yourself to one sport. I love to compete, so it wasn’t a big deal for me.”With quarterbacks so in demand these days, the Giants might have reached a bit for Duke’s Daniel Jones at the sixth spot, and the Redskins did just the opposite to get Dwayne Haskins. They stayed put at No. 15 and the Ohio State star fell to them.Perhaps serendipitously, he held a bowling party about 30 miles away Thursday night.“I’m just going to work on getting my head in that playbook,” said Haskins, a one-year starter for the Buckeyes. “I’m going to do all I can to get physically and mentally ready for the upcoming season and just motivate my guys that’s coming in with me in this rookie class.”After Murray, though, defense became the order of the night. Of the first 20 picks, 12 were for that side of the ball, all of them pass-rushing threats.Ohio State edge rusher Nick Bosa went second to San Francisco as expected. The 49ers have used a first-round selection on four defensive linemen in the past five drafts.“I see him as a three-down player,” general manager John Lynch said. “He’s got to come in and do it, but he plays the run well. His best strength is rushing the passer, but he can play all three downs and play in all situations.”Bosa’s older brother http://www.seahawksfootballauthentics.com/phil-haynes-jersey-authentic , Joey, plays for the Chargers and was the 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Their father also played in the NFL.“Good genes, man,” Bosa said with a laugh. “It was just excitement all around. My brother wanted me to go higher than he did (third overall), so just for my dream to come true and my family to be there to watch, it was pretty great.”Bosa is the highest Ohio State draft pick since offensive tackle Orlando Pace went No. 1 to St. Louis in 1997. He missed all but three games last season with a core muscle injury, but already had exhibited the kind of playmaking that lifts players to loft status. Such as the second pick in the draft.The Jets, widely speculated to trade the third pick, used it on Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Not even a starter until 2018, he won the Outland Trophy last season and is Alabama’s highest-drafted defensive player since linebacker Cornelius Bennett went No. 2 overall in 1987.More defense with Clemson end Clelin Ferrell going to Oakland and LSU linebacker Devin White to Tampa Bay, both addressing huge needs.The Giants, looking for Eli Manning’s eventual successor, took Jones, the Senior Bowl MVP. Jones generally was not considered a first-round prospect when the college season ended. But he’s been tutored at Duke by David Cutcliffe, who also coached Peyton and Eli Manning in college.“I think it’s a tremendous opportunity to learn for a young quarterback, Jones said of Eli Manning.“He is a guy that’s had a whole lot of success in the NFL and there is a reason for that. I’m looking to understand that and do my best to learn as much as I can from him while he’s in New York.”Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen followed to Jacksonville, then it was Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson to Detroit and Houston DT Ed Oliver to Buffalo.Finally, in the 10th spot, a trade: Pittsburgh sending the 20th spot, the 53rd selection and a third-rounder next year to Denver. The Steelers, with Hall of Famer Joe Greene making the announcement, selected Michigan linebacker Devin Bush — a player apparently coveted by AFC North rival Cincinnati at No. 11.The Bengals grabbed Alabama tackle Jonah Williams instead.Three consecutive picks were dealt later in the round. Denver had gotten No. 20 from the Steelers and took Noah Fant Ugo Amadi Jersey , the second Iowa tight end chosen Thursday night. Green Bay acquired the next pick from Seattle and got Maryland safety Darnell Savage, a somewhat surprising choice. Then the Eagles dealt with Baltimore and probably got a replacement for longtime left tackle Jason Peters with Tytus Howard of Alabama State, the initial non-FBS player chosen.One spot later, at No. 24, Oakland used its second pick on Alabama’s Josh Jacobs, the first running back to go. The Raiders‘ third selection was Mississippi State safety Johnathan Abrams.Baltimore’s new GM, Eric DeCosta, made his first choice in charge of the draft Oklahoma receiver Marquise Brown, who also wept upon being called.Through its bartering, Seattle had consecutive spots at 29 and 30, selecting TCU’s L.J. Collier — yet another defensive lineman — before sending the 30th to the Giants, who grabbed cornerback DeAndre Baker of Georgia. That gave New York three first-rounders.One team that stuck to the trenches, but on the offensive side, was Atlanta. Desperate for blocking help, the Falcons drafted Boston College guard Chris Lindstrom and Washington tackle Kaleb McGary, who they got by trading back into the opening round to get the Rams’ 31st spot.New England concluded a first round that saw 18 defensive players taken (only three in the secondary) and 14 on offense with receiver N’Keal Harry of Arizona State.Overall, the SEC had nine players, the ACC eight and the Big Ten seven. Clemson, Alabama and Mississippi State had three draftees apiece.