49ers QB Purdy flattered by prestigious comparison to Brees

SANTA CLARA — When wide receiver Willie Snead broke into the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, he quickly established himself as one of Drew Brees' favorite targets. Snead caught 141 passes for 1,879 yards and seven touchdowns in his first two seasons with the likely first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback. Last season, Snead's mind flashed back to those experiences when he started to see more and more from 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. "He just reminds me of these little things about Drew," Snead told NBC Sports Bay Area. First, there are the physical tools and their similar physical statures. Brees was listed at 6-foot, 209 pounds. Purdy checks in at 6-1, 220. "Drew never had the strongest arm, but he was so pinpoint accurate," Snead said. "He knew when to let the ball go to make sure you're catching it in stride, and Brock has similar traits. He doesn't have the strongest arm, but he can anticipate guys getting open." The other favorable comparison, Snead said, is the drive and commitment to be great. "I see similarities between Brock and Drew with the mental part of the game and being a competitor," Snead said. "For a long time, it was Tom Brady and Drew, as far...