That’s right New Orleans fan’s you are no longer the doormat of the NFL, but then again you haven’t been for a few years, you’ve just been a team that couldn’t get to the promise land. This whole transition really started in 2006 when you acquired possibly the most underrated quarterback of this past decade, an undersized Drew Brees. After 5 seasons in San Diego, which Brees threw for at least 2000 yards every season, with the exception of his 2001 rookie season in which he only played one game, Brees headed to New Orleans and the transformation began. Then came the electric Reggie Bush, and then undrafted Pierre Thomas and suddenly the Saints had a backfield. Throw in an unknown receiver out of Hofstra and you got yourself an explosive offense.
The Saints have been a high powered offense for a few seasons now, but this year’s difference was the defense. They weren’t the highest rated defense or the best defense around, but they could do one thing great, force you to make mistakes. They thrive on big offensive plays and defensive touchdowns, making them one of the more exciting teams in the league to watch. But even after being the NFC number one seed and making to the Super Bowl it still felt like they were huge underdogs to Peyton Manning’s Colts. I myself even picked the Colts to win this one, it’s just so hard to pick against Peyton.
The talk all week was that Drew Brees needed to be flawless and that Sean Payton had to be willing to take some chances, and both worked out beautifully. Brees was unbelievable on Super Sunday, completing 32 of 39 pass attempts for 288 yards and did not turn the ball over, and Payton called the gutsiest Super Bowl I have ever seen a coach call. The Saints went for it late in the first half on 4th and goal when a field goal would have cut the Colts’ lead to 10-6. The Colts’ made the stop they needed and then turned uncharacteristically cautious. The Saints’ D came through and forced a punt to set up a field goal to send them to the locker room down 4. Then came the call of the game. On the opening kickoff of the half the Saints kicked and onsides kick and recovered changing the entire game.
After an unbelievable play by Lance Moore to convert a 2pt. conversion I still thought Manning would drive the Colts down the field and tie game up. Then it happened, Peyton Manning became human, something we have not seen in the last few seasons from him. With 3:12 to play Terry Porter jumped Reggie Wayne’s route and picked off Manning returning it 74 yards to the house and starting the party in the Bayou.
So congratulations Saints fans and enjoy this one, you earned it. A city that has gone through so much hardship has an extra reason to celebrate this Mardi Gras, and Mardi Gras started 9 days early this year.
