A few brief takes from New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees'Wednesday news conference.
- The Saints haven't played Seattle since facing the Seahawks twice in 2013, both on the road. But there are enough remaining members of the Saints offense to know firsthand just how difficult it will be to execute against Seattle's defense. Brees, of course, is one of those players. "I just know what it's going to take for us to win this game," he said. "I know that they are extremely sound in everything that they do, so we have to be at our absolute best. We're in the situation during the season where this is the next game, and it's the most important game. We've got to have it."
- Of course, there will be a familiar face wearing a Seahawks uniform Sunday. Tight end Jimmy Grahamplayed his first five seasons in New Orleans, and he caught 386 passes for 4,752 yards and 51 touchdowns as a Saint. "It's going to be weird," Brees said. "Obviously, a lot of good years here with Jimmy. Hated to see him go. We were close – he was close to a lot guys – and we all love Jimmy. We understand things like that happen in this league. I'm sure he's going to be pretty amped up to be back. I know our fan base loves him, they love what he did for New Orleans." Brees said his relationship with Graham is like a brotherhood.
- The Seahawks, of course, will see a familiar face wearing a Saints uniform. Center Max Ungerplayed in Seattle from 2009-14, before the Graham trade brought him to New Orleans. Brees said Unger has been nothing short of impressive as a Saint. "Max has been as good as I ever could have imagined, not only just his production, but his leadership ability and his toughness, and the presence that he brings to the locker room, and to that offensive line room, and to our team. He was voted a captain this year, and that was an easy decision, an easy choice. Because he represents everything you would want in a captain."
