Brees is currently ranked first in the NFL in completion percentage, passer rating, touchdown passes and touchdown percentage (6.6), second in average gain (8.5 yards per completion), completions of 25 yards of more (39) and fourth quarter passer rating (113.4), third in passing yardage and fifth in third down passer rating (101.9).
Darren Sharper, a free agent acquisition in March, is the NFL’s active leader with 63 interceptions, which places him in a tie for sixth all-time with Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. Sharper will be headed to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time in his career, in large part to his NFL-best nine interceptions in 2009, which he has returned for an NFL-record 376 yards.
Jahri Evans, a product of Bloomsburg (Pa.) University, and a fixture on the Saints’ offensive line since the first game of his rookie season (2006) earned his first career nomination to the Pro Bowl. The 6-4, 318 pound native of Philadelphia has been a lynchpin along the Saints’ offensive line, never missing a start during his first four years.
Evans has also been a fixture on an offensive line that has allowed the fewest sacks in the NFC and the second-least in the NFL since 2006 (67). In 2009 the Saints once again are among the league leaders in fewest sacks allowed (15-the third fewest).
Jonathan Vilma, who was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2005 as a member of the New York Jets, was elected by his teammates the defensive team captain for the 2009 season. Vilma leads the Saints with 130 tackles (102 solo), two quarterback takedowns, three interceptions that him tie for first in the NFL among linebackers and eight passes defensed.
Vilma has registered six-double digit tackle games thus far this season, including a season-high 15 stops against Dallas two weeks ago.
Jon Stinchcomb, a seven-year veteran and a fixture on the Saints’ offensive line the past four seasons, earned his first career Pro Bowl nomination.
The Saints’ 2008 Man of the Year for his community activism has started every game for the Saints this season at right tackle and helped the Saints produce the top-ranked offense and highest-scoring offense in the NFL, while allowing the third-fewest sacks and featuring a running game that is the fifth-most productive in the NFL.