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Last week, our sound-off question was whether San Diego fans were happy for former Chargers quarterback Drew Brees getting a chance to win a Super Bowl. Most of the responses were in favor of the idea.

However, Monday, the tune has changed somewhat. In the hours after Brees led New Orleans to its first Super Bowl win (which is one more than San Diego has) in which he was named the MVP, my mailbag was flooded by San Diego fans.

They are frustrated that Brees was allowed to leave San Diego after the 2005 season as a free agent. I know it can be difficult to see a former player go on and have success, but this a different situation.

While Brees has gone on to have the ultimate success after playing in San Diego, it’s not like the Chargers are in bad shape at the position.

Philip Rivers is the face of the franchise. He is an elite quarterback. At 28, he is getting better. He will keep San Diego competitive for the next several years.

San Diego fans have to know that. Don’t let the Brees victory make you get down on the team’s quarterback situation. San Diego will be fine.

So, go back to your pre-game vow and be happy for Brees.

We got some great responses to our sound-off question this week.

The question was whether San Diego fans are happy for former starting quarterback Drew Brees as he prepares to lead New Orleans into the Super Bowl against Indianapolis on Sunday or are they upset that Brees has a chance to win a Super Bowl before the Chargers?

Brees left San Diego as a free agent in 2006 to sign with the Saints. Most fans who responded are excited for Brees. San Diego fans know they are in good shape with Philip Rivers as their quarterback, so most fans are fine with Brees playing elsewhere.

I think this is the right reaction. The change was best for everyone and Brees deserves the support of the fans of his former team. Below are some of your responses. Thanks to everyone who participated:

Matt from Davis, Ca.: It's bittersweet to see Brees in the Super Bowl. He's my second favorite QB in the league (to Rivers of course). He and LT helped turn the Chargers franchise around into one of the winningest teams in the past 6 years. So of course I'll be rooting for him to get his ring this Sunday and am happy that he is able to play on the big stage. However, it is a little sad to see Drew in the Superbowl knowing that LT's best chance may have gone down in flames a few weeks ago. I don't buy into the train of thought that the Chargers would be there with Brees necessarily, but seeing him there while the Chargers keep missing opportunities is an unpleasant reminder of how many times this team has come up short.

Danny from Los Angeles, CA: Drew Brees has always been an admirable player; SD had to make a choice between Rivers and Brees when Breezy was injured. The debate about that trade-off is moot. Either way as an avid SD fan, Brees has shown us great game and proven his character throughout the years. I will root for his superbowl ring, just like i would root for LT to get one if LT gets traded this year and his has a chance. One Exception to that would be, if SD was playing against them in the Superbowl. Breezy for the win.

Iggy from Portland: There's no reason for hard feelings between Charger fans and Drew Brees -- I, for one, hope he gets a ring this year. Drew was a good player for the Chargers, but I'm happy with the choice to go with Philip Rivers. People too easily forget that the Chargers let Brees walk after he had a season-ending shoulder injury and the team failed to make the playoffs, so the decision wasn't really too controversial. That Brees bounced back to become one of the best QBs in the league is a victory for him, but doesn't represent a loss for Charger fans. When all is said and done, I'm confident Philip will compare well with Drew and that Charger fans don't need Drew to fail in order for that to be the case. Anyhow, I couldn't really see myself pulling for the Colts...

Troy from Escondido, Ca: I'm stoked for Brees... Even though he gave me ulcers as the Chargers QB the first few years he was the starter, the guy turned things around like few players ever have and deserves all the success that comes to him! On the one hand, I'd never trade Rivers to get Brees back but, on the other hand, it's nice that Brees was able to show he wasn't 'damaged goods' over these past few years. The Saints were willing to take a big chance on him when few other teams were so it's nice they're getting some payoff for it.

David Perez from Vero Beach, Fl: Bill, I am both happy and upset. I would not trade Rivers for anyone in the world. He is a great leader and gutsy and that is what you want in a QB. As far as Brees goes, I am happy for him. He is a standup man and a good human and a great leader (Remember the players only meeting before 2004 that turned around the Chargers franchise)? Now he turned another franchise around and it could not have happened to a better guy. On the flipside, I am upset because I feel it should also be our time. The fact that a former charger QB is leading a traditionally bad franchise to the cusp of a championship is frustrating and demoralizing. AJ Smith better be on alert and make some moves because our time is running out.

Sam from San Diego: I'd love to see Brees get a ring. He is a great QB, and when he left the fans weren't mad at Him, they were mad at management. I still like Brees whether or not he plays for SD

Jim from Louisville, KY: The issues with the Chargers have nothing to do with Rivers v Brees... As a Charger fan I'm happy to see Brees doing well! But regardless of the current Super Bowl I'd still want Rivers over Brees. The Saints and Chargers play two different styles of offense and I'd argue the Saints defense has played consistently better throughout the season, not to mention in the NFC championship game the Saints did not have a pro bowl kicker miss 3 field goals and double his misses for the season. In the long run Rivers is (in my opinion) still the better QB and while you can never guarantee a Super Bowl I see Rivers leading the Chargers to the promised land very soon...

Virgil Abueg from Southeast San Diego: I'm a die-hard Chargers fan. I feel you cannont be anything but happy for Drew Brees. He did nothing wrong to San Diego. He is a better fit with Sean Payton and the Saints just like Philip Rivers is over here. He's proved everybody wrong as he's always had and real Chargers fans should all be pulling for him. GO CHARGERS!!

Andy T from Santee: Regarding "Sound-off: Drew Brees"I'm happy for Drew. I can't be angry that he's getting a shot first. Their defense has been better, and they have a much better offensive line (in protection and running the ball). We need to build a better foundation (DL & OL) before we hit the full potential of our stars and have team success.That said, a large part of me is rooting forManning.

For the second year in a row, San Diego safety Eric Weddle has helped us out as we prepare for the Super Bowl.

Weddle is known as one of the brightest, most cerebral defenders in the league. He knows what he’s talking about and he knows quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. Weddle has faced Manning four times in the past three seasons and he played against Brees in 2008.

The following is Weddle’s breakdown of each quarterback. It’s not every day we get essentially an NFL film room breakdown of two of the best players in the game. Thanks again, Eric:

Brees: “I saw Drew up close when we played them in London, and he played at a high level for the entire game. One thing I noticed about him, is when he is on his game or in the zone, nothing is going stop him. With Drew, he does a very good job of manipulating the defense with his eyes and shoulder movements. The Saints run the ball well as a team, which helps him with his play action and dropback throws. Defenses have to honor the run, which gives Brees an advantage for deep throws up the field. He understands defenses, where he can drop back, look left the entire time, waiting for a route to clear on the opposite side of the field, and gun it in there. His movement in the pocket gives him another dimension to defend against. He can do this. He has an elite arm and is 70-percent accurate, he knows the defense and he throws the deep ball just as well as the short and intermediate routes.”

Manning: "Peyton does an unbelievable job pre-snap as to finding out what defense you may be in. He is always checking as to who the “Mike” [middle] linebacker is so the line will know where the protection will start from. Here are some reasons why it’s extremely difficult to get to Peyton: His pre-snap reads, his accuracy, and the scheme and the plays they run so well. They have about four or five plays that are their bread-and-butter plays, meaning they run them so much it doesn't matter what defense you may be in, they will out-execute you. His accuracy, his mental focus of the scheme and defenses and his uncanny ability to make the right throw makes him one of the toughest quarterbacks to go against. … These are two of the best and expect them to play great.”

Denver Broncos fans will see a familiar name in the Super Bowl on Sunday: Mike Bell.

Remember him? He was going to be the next Terrell Davis.

Bell has had a remarkable NFL career.

He is now a valuable part of New Orleans’ offense as the team heads into the Super Bowl on Sunday against Indianapolis. He has 654 yards rushing this season and he is often a featured back for the Saints.

He turned out to be the player former Denver coach Mike Shanahan thought he’d be.

When Bell came out of Arizona, he told me at the NFL combine that he wanted to be a Denver Bronco. He idolized Davis as a youth in Denver before he moved to Phoenix at the age of 11. When Bell went undrafted, he immediately signed with Denver.

A week into training camp, the undrafted rookie was named the starting running back. Shanahan told many people in Denver’s facility that Bell reminded him of Davis.

Bell didn’t hold onto the starting job in 2006 but he did have a productive rookie season, gaining 677 yards on 157 carries. However, in his second season, Bell barely played and he was moved to fullback. He was cut just days before training camp started in 2008.

Bell never became Davis in Denver. But now, he has a chance to run his way to a Super Bowl win just like Davis.

Not long ago, I was chatting with a member of the Mike Shanahan regime in Denver.

The former Denver employee and I were discussing what decision marked the beginning of the end for Shanahan’s 14-season run in Denver.

After tossing around a few ideas, we came to a consensus: Larry Coyer.

Shanahan should never have fired Coyer, now the defensive coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts, as his defensive coordinator. Shanahan’s Broncos never rebounded from his decision to jettison the innovative, successful and popular Coyer after a late-season collapse in 2006.

The Broncos’ defense was in a shambles in 2007 and 2008. After Coyer was fired, Shanahan hired Jim Bates to run the defense. He was fired 12 months later. Then, Bob Slowik was promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2008 season. He was fired along with Shanahan. Thursday, second-year Denver coach Josh McDaniels promoted linebackers coach Don Martindale to be the defensive coordinator, replacing Mike Nolan.

Martindale is Denver’s fifth defensive coordinator in five seasons.

I wonder if Shanahan would still be the coach in Denver if he hadn't fired Coyer?

Coyer’s units were always strong. He was blitz master and he made terrific in-game adjustments.

Coyer, of course, has moved on nicely. He is six days away from leading the Colts’ defense in the Super Bowl against New Orleans.

Please join me Tuesday from 3:30-4 p.m. ET as part of a postseason chat marathon. There will be plenty to review about the playoffs and to preview with the Super Bowl 12 days away. I look forward to chatting with you.