Charger Victory Is a Real Brees

Drew Brees already has a legacy.

In his first NFL start, Brees threw two touchdown passes, led a 95-yard drive and got in a few licks on Cincinnati Bengal defenders Sunday while leading the San Diego Chargers to a 34-6 victory.

The 23-year-old quarterback did it all with pronounced cool on a 90-degree afternoon.

“Seriously, my heartbeat was probably like 40,” Brees said. “I have a resting heart rate of 38, which is pretty incredible. I swear it was right around there. I was just relaxed out there, having a good time.”

The record-setting passer from Purdue appeared in only one game as a rookie, but looked experienced well beyond his year. He was 15 of 19 for 160 yards and made gritty plays that impressed teammates-- throwing a downfield block on a reverse, running over a safety on a scramble.

“You don’t see that too often,” said Curtis Conway, who caught one of the touchdown passes. “That’s one of the big things about him. He’s a football player, not one of those wimpy quarterbacks.”

He wasn’t the only star. LaDainian Tomlinson had 114 yards in 21 carries, and one of the NFL’s toughest run defenses of the last few seasons clamped down on Corey Dillon, who had 10 yards in nine carries.

“I’ve never seen an offensive explosion like that,” linebacker Junior Seau said. “Brees was poised. We’re looking for great things from him. It was a treat seeing our offense going up and down the field.”

While Marty Schottenheimer’s coaching debut with San Diego was an overwhelming success, the Bengals’ debut with Gus Frerotte as the starting quarterback couldn’t have gone any worse.

In all respects, the NFL’s worst team since 1991 played down to its distinction. It was the most lopsided home-opening loss in franchise history and the Bengals’ worst opening loss overall since a 45-14 drubbing in Denver in 1991, the start of their dismaying run.