I should have known not to use reason and common sense in predicting the Super Bowl winner this year. It doesn’t matter that the Saints had numerous flaws and weaknesses. The bottom line is that it was their year and destiny was on their side.
You have to give a lot of credit to Sean Payton and his staff for doing a great job of game preparation, and for taking important game-changing risks that helped the Saints win. Simply, the Colts played not to lose, and the Saints played to win. It is very difficult for any coach to be a gambler on the Super Bowl stage, and Payton could have been criticized for a lifetime if his decisions would have back-fired. But they didn’t, and these aggressive calls instilled energy and confidence into his team, helping propel the Saints to victory.
Gregg Williams dialed up the blitz that led to Porter’s game winning interception return. I didn’t think that blitzing Peyton Manning was the way to beat him, but I was wrong. You have to get pressure on the QB regardless of how good your cornerback’s are in coverage. Baltimore’s favorite Ravens fan Pat Cary always says that pressure bursts pipes.
Brett Favre isn’t the only marquee QB who gives games away with ill-timed interceptions. Add Peyton Manning to the list as well.
I still do not think that the Saints are a great team. They are a great offensive team with an opportunistic defense that started hot and secured home field advantage in the playoffs. The dome and home crowd gave them enough of an edge to make it to Miami. Once they made it to Miami, the Saints let it all hang out and allowed the emotional story and destiny to play out.
I felt a huge key to the game that few people are talking about was the Saints special teams. The Saints kicker Garrett Hartley hit field goals from 44, 46, and 47. Also, the Saints tackling on kickoff and punt coverage was excellent as well. This helped the Saints win the field position battle and made life tough on Peyton Manning.
Call me old fashioned, but I like physical front seven’s and teams that can run the football. I like teams that can win on the road and can handle bad weather. I hate playoff football in domed stadiums, and further dislike dink and dunk offense.
The Super Bowl was an exciting game and I feel great for the people of New Orleans. I don’t want to minimize their achievement, but I was never a believer in this Saints team. When I look back at the 2009 season and playoffs, I think Minnesota was actually the best team in the NFL.
Don’t expect the Saints to repeat in 2010, but tip your hat to them for a great run in 2009. Also, congrats to Drew Brees for a great game and MVP trophy. I think Brees is a great quarterback, but did not think he was in the same class as Peyton Manning. I guess I have to eat crow on that assessment.
Needless to say, I bet on the Colts and lost. I should have bet on the emotional story.
Woodman – first losing week in gambling in over two months.
Filed under: Football, NFL | Tagged: Drew Brees, indiannapolis colts, New Orleans Saints, Peyton Manning, sean payton, super bowl | 2 Comments »



























