Saints sign free agent QB Drew Brees to a six-year

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Saints show how to build a winner
Detroit News staff
Building a winner
How did the Saints go from the cellar to champs in five seasons? The process:
Aug. 29,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], 2005: Hurricane Katrina hits the Gulf Coast. Part of its wreckage includes major damage to the Superdome, forcing the Saints to play home games in San Antonio and Baton Rouge, La.
Jan. 3, 2006: After finishing 2005 with a 3-13 record, the Saints fire coach Jim Haslett, who was 45-51 in six seasons.
Jan. 17, 2006: Saints hire Sean Payton, a young up-and-coming offensive coordinator. Payton is 42 years old.
March 14, 2006: Saints sign free agent QB Drew Brees to a six-year, $60 million deal.
April 6, 2006: Officials announce that after $185 million in renovations, the Superdome is suitable to host games.
April 29, 2006: Saints draft RB Reggie Bush, the Heisman Trophy winner, No. 2 overall.
April 30, 2006: Saints select WR [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] from Hofstra (7th round, 252nd).
Sept. 25, 2006: Saints play their first regular-season home game since Hurricane Katrina, defeating the Falcons, 23-3.
Dec. 17, 2006: Saints clinch third division title in history and earn a first-round bye.
Jan. 21, 2007: Saints lose their first NFC Championship in history, 39-14 to the Bears.
2007: Saints finish 7-9 and miss playoffs. [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] has his best season (98 receptions, 1,202 yards, 11 TDs).
Feb. 29, 2008: In an effort to revamp their defense, Saints trade a fourth-round pick to the Jets for LB Jonathan Vilma.
2008: Saints (8-8) miss playoffs. Brees is named NFC offensive player of the year (5,069 yards, 34 TDs), Vilma leads team in tackles (132).
March 18, 2009: Saints sign S Darren Sharper to a one-year deal.
2009: Saints start 13-0, win the division and earn a first-round bye. Sharper has nine INTs -- three for TDs -- and a record 376 yards.
Feb. 7, 2010: Behind a gutsy call by Payton to start the second half with an onside kick, the Saints upset the Colts, 31-17, to win their first Super Bowl. Brees is named MVP