Brees

NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees kept his promise — and then some.

Brees assured the New Orleans Saints they wouldn't regret taking a chance on him and his surgically repaired throwing shoulder back in 2006. Since then, he has set new single-season franchise records for yards passing every year.

In 2008, he was only 16 yards short of becoming the top single-season passer in NFL history, and his 5,069 yards produced another franchise first. On Tuesday, Brees became the only Saint to be voted The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

"When you think about all the guys out there, the successful seasons that some of the guys had, to even be considered for this is a big honor, much less to win it," said Brees, who is the only player other than Dan Marino to pass for more than 5,000 yards in a season.

"It's a testament to our entire team, especially the offense when you talk about what we were able to accomplish this year, being No. 1 in just about every category."

Although the Saints were 8-8 and didn't make the playoffs, Brees performed so well he earned 22 votes in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. That easily beat Peyton Manning, the NFL Most Valuable Player for the third time for Indianapolis, and Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson. They tied for second with nine votes each.

The Saints finished first in yards per game (410.7), yards per play (6.28), passing yards per game (311.1) and points per game (28.9).