New Orleans Came to Win!!!

The pregame hype is over, the game has been played and now it is time for all of us arm chair quarterbacks to do our post game analysis.

My first impressions of the game, the Saints were nervous, maybe even a little intimidated by the big stage. Peyton and the Colts seemed more relaxed and able to get into a groove in the first quarter.

They moved the ball down the field collecting points while forcing the Saints into three and outs.

Yet if felt like something was missing, like the Colts came to play expecting the win.

As the game progressed, as the Saints started to settle in, it appeared they had ignored all the pregame hype and how the Colts would walk all over them. The seemed to forget Peyton Manning is currently the best quarterback in the pros.

Drew Brees certainly did as he started connecting more with the receivers. As the running game for New Orleans started to come to life on the moves and drive of Thomas.

This led as we know to a Saints field goal and only down by 7. I could feel the momentum change in the second quarter especially when Orleans got down into field goal range with just under two minutes left.

When the Saints went for it on 4th and goal instead of taking the points, Sean Payton sent the message loud and clear, he came to win.

Although I did not agree with the call or the play selected. I am kind of partial to a play known as Statue of Liberty Left, I admired the courage, he reminded me of a coach just 19 miles from my house.

Even though the Saints failed to convert and came away empty handed, it seemed to lift the play of the Saints D. They forced that three and out on Peyton and the Colts, amazing defense. A rejuvenated offense struck quickly, rewarding the hard work of the D with a nice down Broadway field goal, going into the half down 4.

The second half, what guts, Payton must need a wheel barrow to haul them in. Opening the second half with the onsides kick. Man I still am shaking my head on that one. Then to pull it off, I dont know if the Colts were more shocked or at the moment came to the realization that New Orleans was not afraid of them and that they came to win.

The last time I saw a play like that was around 1971, Boise State against Idaho State in the Pocatello Mini Dome. Tony Knapp aka the River Boat Gambler opened up agains ISU with the onsides kick and the Bengals recovered, putting Boise in a hole from the get go. Adding insult to injury the ISU Bengals opened the second half with the onsides kick and they recovered.

Enough memory lane, what a gutys call, and as a fan of the underdog I was delighted to see their gamble pay off with the recovery. I dont know about you, but I could feel the momentum shifting more and more to the Saints, feel their confidence grow.

They just seemed to move down the field with authority, Brees more like a surgeon, cutting the Colts Defense to shreds. Culminating the drive with their first touchdown, the Saints now had the lead in the Super Bowl.

The lead as we know was short lived, the Colts reponded quickly and with a vengance, the type that seemed to say, dont you know who we are. dont you know we are the best team in the NFL. The Colts seemed to march through the Saints D like Sherman heading to the sea.

In just a matter of minutes or it seemed a very short period of time the Colts drove down and resumed what many dubbed their natural place, leading in the Super Bowl.

All that seemed to do was make the Saints try harder, become more determined, after all they didnt come to show up, they did come to win.

I loved how the Saints retaliated and then going for two, darn that sounds more like a college game than the Super Bowl. The icing on the game, the pick 6. Till that moment the game had only one sack and no turnovers. Yet here was the leagues best quarterback, like Brett Favre before him the victim of a pick.

With time short, the Colts driving down the field it made me pause, can they do it, can they get in and then do the almost impossible, get an onsides kick and drive down to score and force the tie all in under two minutes.

The Saints soundl rejected the Colts, picking Peyton for a second time. Peyton Manning may well be the best quarterback in football today, however it was Drew Brees, the guy who was supposed to be washed up that left Miami with the Super Bowl ring.

I thought the game was exciting, Sean Payton and the Saints brought new flare to the event, taking big risks and getting the Super Bowl crown for their efforts.

Any how that is my take on the game, your comments are invited and welcome.