During my drive home to Houston after the Saints game my friend Billy text me this message, “At movies and Drew Brees is here.”

Suddenly two things popped into my head.
The first was New Orleans is a cool, weird, and special place when the city’s most famous celebrity can feel confident enough to go catch a movie after an electric opening day win and not worry about getting mobbed by fans.

Somehow I doubt Brett Favre or Donovan McNabb hit the multiplex after leading their teams to victory.

The rest of America can call us whatever they want but they can’t say we aren’t laid back.

The second thing that I thought about after seeing my friend’s text was Brees just went 23 for 32 for 343 yards and three touchdowns and all everyone is talking about is the revamped defense, Reggie Bush, and Jeremy Shockey.

Two years and one game into his Saints career has a brilliant performance by Brees been overlooked?

The answer is yes.

I know Drew Brees is well on his way to being maybe the most beloved Saints player ever because he came to New Orleans right after Katrina and has embraced the city and the rebuilding effort.

But know this too--We are watching the best Saints player ever at the height of his football powers.

Go ahead and argue Archie Manning or Ricky Jackson if you want, but Drew Brees’ stats and playoff win separate him from anyone else who has worn a Saints uniform.

The Saints have never had elite quarterbacking like Brees.

Bobby Hebert was a solid guy who kept mistakes to a minimum so the defense could win the game, Aaron Brooks was the ultimate tease who was never again as good as his first year, and Archie Manning is beloved because of the beatings he took while playing for the NFL 1970’s running punch line and the couple of years when he had some weapons and the offense was as good as any.

So enjoy the show because after seeing Tom Brady is done for the season it made me realize no great show lasts forever.

The good news for Saints fans is Brees is just entering his prime and might have a team around him that can win a Super Bowl.

At least Sunday’s win against the Bucs lets us imagine the possibility.

The Saints finally managed to control Joey Galloway.

Randall Gay, Tracy Porter and a healthy Mike McKenzie look like more than functional corners if the Saints can continue to have a pass rush like they did against Tampa.

Let the record show the Bucs line was beat up going into Sunday’s game but when the Saints desperately needed to bring heat Bobby McCray nearly broke Jeff Garcia in half. 

Sedrick Ellis and Jonathan Vilma helped control the middle of the field like the Saints haven’t done on defense since about 2000.

Sure it’s only one game but in the NFL the start and finish are the most important parts of the season.

Teams can have a rocky middle (see 2006 Saints) and still have a great year but a bad start like last year or finish like the 2002 Saints and you’re cooked.

If Tampa had managed to rip the Saints guts out yesterday suddenly the upcoming two game road trip to Washington and Denver seems daunting and a repeat of the 0-4 start is the talk.

Instead the Saints are 1-0 and have games against the poorly coached Redskins and probably mediocre Broncos and suddenly 3-0 dreams dance in our heads.

The line between ecstasy and agony in the NFL is razor thin.

Just ask Patriot fans.

  Ralph Malbrough is a Saints fan living in Houston. He can be reached at ralphmalbrough@hotmail.com. He also hosts an internet radio show at http://www.blogtalkradio/forecastradio. You can listen live or download archived editions at itunes.