Update: Drew Brees denies the exemption report. Knew it sounded too good to be true!
With the NFL lockout hours aw- ... I'm sorry, hang on. As the- ... Excuse me. Minnesota Vikings punter- ... OK, I've just got to get this out of the way. GO VIKINGS! All right.
Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe publicly called New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees, along with the other NFL stars who reportedly want to be exempt from being hit with franchise tags once the lockout ends, a "douchebag" and "that guy." This is fantastic!
Not only would Brees be an unrestricted free agent under such an arrangement, thus either freeing up Dan Snyder to pay him $119.5 million per year (the salary cap is expected to be $120 million) or meaning the Saints will have to pay more than they otherwise would to keep him in the NFC South, this would also sour Brees' otherwise sterling reputation.
Spectacular!
Brees' contract is up next year. If the idea of the Saints breaking the bank to keep their best player doesn't stir your soul ... actually, wait. Knowing Brees, he'd probably just do this so he could sign for less money, for the good of the city and all. That Brees.