Brees Replaces Flutie as Charger Starter

A day after San Diego Charger Coach Marty Schottenheimer called his team’s quarterback race a virtual dead heat, Drew Brees supplanted 39-year-old Doug Flutie on Monday as the starting quarterback.

Brees, 23, a second-round pick in 2001, appeared in only one game last season as the backup to Flutie, who started 16 games and threw for 3,464 yards--his NFL career high.

“What I ultimately arrived at was that Drew is going to get better with every snap that he plays,” Schottenheimer said. “Now that’s not to say that every snap is going to be a good snap, but he’s going to get better every snap he plays.... With regard to Doug, my sense was that if a guy is going to come off the bench, who was better to do that? I thought clearly it was Doug. You can’t prepare for that and his ability as a playmaker and the magic he brings to a football team.”

Brees, a three-year starter at Purdue, said he and Flutie have maintained a good relationship throughout the competition and spoke Monday about the decision.

“We both understand the situation,” Brees said. “Obviously, I’m sure Doug is disappointed but there was one guy who was going to be the starter and one guy who was going to be the backup. I know how hard he’s worked for this.”

Asked how it will benefit him having Flutie help him from the sideline, Brees said: “That’s going to be a huge advantage because he’s seen it all and done it all. I know there are things he sees and I don’t.”

Flutie, whose quarterback competition with Rob Johnson in Buffalo turned toxic, said all the right things this time.

“Drew Brees is going to do nothing but get better,” he said. “Right now he’s solid, and he can get the job done. Six weeks from now, he’s going to be better.”