Feb

8

Super Bowl Champion Saints Back at Home in New Orleans

Posted by Matt Loede under 2009 NFL Playoffs, New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl
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Rachel Nichols interviews Saints players and reports on the community’s response to the team’s first title.


Feb

8

In the End, the Saints Simply Wanted it More

Posted by Josh Dhani under 2009 NFL Playoffs, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl
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As a Colts fan, this game really disappointed me. But hey, the New Orleans Saints wanted it more. They needed this. After all New Orleans has gone through for the past few years with Hurricane Katrina and all that. Along with that, the Saints were never a good football team. The NFC Championship was the farthest they’ve ever gone before the season started. And they only made the NFC Championship once in their life.

The Saints were undervalued. With losing to teams like the Buccaneers with their starters, the Saints were not favorites entering the playoffs. They proved everyone wrong. And then, the heroics of Tracy Porter came in the NFC Championship game. After that pick, it was over. It happened last night in the Super Bowl, against a high-powered Colts’ team.

The first quarter started off hot for Indiana. 10-0. But in the second quarter, it all began to slip away. The Saints made mistakes, but they know. They know how to stop Peyton Manning and this Colts’ offense. Amazing job by Gregg Williams with the defense. As a Colts’ fan, I wasn’t all that bad about Indianapolis losing to be honest. 2006 was more memorable, more intense. This season was destined for New Orleans. They needed this.

The NFC Championship win two weeks ago was a sweet win on Bourbon Street. Last night, it would have to be the sweetest. Back to the game. With the second quarter over, it was 10-6. Entering the third, it felt like the Colts knew what was going to happen. Every time they lead at the half, they are pretty much undefeated (the New York regular season game does not count to me in any way). And plus, if they were trailing, they always found a way to win and figure out the defense.

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Feb

8

Colts the Early Favorite to Win Super Bowl XLV

Posted by Matt Loede under Indianapolis Colts, Odds & Lines, Super Bowl
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Despite a loss in Super Bowl XLIV, the Colts have the inside track on winning Super Bowl XLV according to bodog.com. Below are all the odds on all the teams making the Super Bowl in Dallas in 2011:

Indianapolis Colts 13/2
San Diego Chargers 8/1
New England Patriots 10/1
New Orleans Saints 10/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 11/1
Dallas Cowboys 12/1
Green Bay Packers 12/1
Minnesota Vikings 12/1
Philadelphia Eagles 16/1
Baltimore Ravens 20/1
New York Giants 20/1
New York Jets 25/1
Tennessee Titans 25/1
Atlanta Falcons 30/1
Cincinnati Bengals 30/1
Arizona Cardinals 35/1
Chicago Bears 35/1
Houston Texans 35/1
Carolina Panthers 40/1
Miami Dolphins 45/1
San Francisco 49ers 45/1
Seattle Seahawks 45/1
Denver Broncos 50/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 50/1
Washington Redskins 50/1
Buffalo Bills 100/1
Cleveland Browns 100/1
Detroit Lions 100/1
Kansas City Chiefs 100/1
Oakland Raiders 100/1
St. Louis Rams 100/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 100/1

Feb

8

Super Bowl XLIV The Most Watched Ever

Posted by Matt Loede under Media, Super Bowl
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The Saints’ victory over Indianapolis in the Super Bowl was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of “M-A-S-H” to become the most-watched program in U.S. television history, the Nielsen Co. said Monday.

Compelling story lines involving the city of New Orleans and its ongoing recovery from Hurricane Katrina and the attempt at a second Super Bowl ring for Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning(notes) propelled the viewership. Football ratings have been strong all season.

“It was one of those magical moments that you don’t often see in sports,” said Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports. Nielsen estimated Monday that 106.5 million people watched Sunday’s Super Bowl. The “M-A-S-H” record was 105.97 million.

The viewership estimate obliterated the previous record viewership for a Super Bowl—last year’s game between Arizona and Pittsburgh. That game was seen by 98.7 million people, Nielsen said.

The “M-A-S-H” record has proven as durable and meaningful in television as Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs was in baseball until topped by Hank Aaron. Ultimately, it may be hard to tell which program was really watched by more people. There’s a margin for error in such numbers, and Nielsen’s Monday estimate was preliminary, and could change with a more thorough look at data due Tuesday.

“It’s significant for all of the members of the broadcasting community,” said Leslie Moonves, CBS Corp. CEO. “For anyone who wants to write that broadcasting is dead, 106 million people watched this program. You can’t find that anywhere else.”

Feb

8

Saints Web Site Team Shop Can’t Handle the Traffic

Posted by Matt Loede under 2009 NFL Playoffs, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Off the Cuff, Super Bowl
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Our Friends at TMZ sent us the following today about some issues with the Saints website:

Hours after the New Orleans Saints put a hurtin’ on the Indianapolis Colts last night, “Who Dat” nation put a serious hurtin’ on their team’s online shop — crashing the website with a massive amount of traffic.

TMZ spoke with an employee for the team shop, who told us from the minute the Super Bowl ended, it’s been “crazy and overwhelming.”

The shop has since gone back online — but the team is warning fans that Super Bowl merchandise may take several weeks for delivery due to “high demand.”

Feb

8

Manning Feels the Pain of an Offense That Can’t Get on Track

Posted by Matt Loede under 2009 NFL Playoffs, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl
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While many will point to the back breaking pick of Tracy Porter as the play that cost the Indy Colts their second chance at a title in four seasons, the Colts offense, one that played so well in playoff wins over the Ravens and Jets, never seemed to get into a flow in Super Bowl XLIV.

“We probably never got into a great rhythm,” Peyton Manning said. “We were certainly worse in lapses in our final possession. Like you said, we got the ball on the first drive and had a good drive, then the second drive went down there and scored and then it was strange there after that not having, I think maybe six plays in the second quarter then of course once the Saints won the toss, it was big to hold them there at the end of the first half on that goal line stand. Disappointing possession on that next series not being able to maintain the ball, run the clock out, gave them three more points, and then we let them have the onsides kick on that first series of the second half. That kind of negated the coin toss. That was disappointing so certainly made it tough.”

The Saints deserve the credit for keeping the ball as long as they did, as it was about 70 minutes in between when the Colts ran offensive plays. While in a normal game that would have been a lot less considering The Who doesn’t usually play halftime at most games, it was hard for the offense to get things going after sitting for so long.

“Every possession felt precious out there. I was disappointed on the first series having to settle for a field goal,” Manning said. “Then we had a third-down drop which stopped another drive, had the third one where we got stopped, and then moved the ball pretty well in the second half when we had it. Then obviously the turnover – disappointing – then the turnover on downs at the end of the game was disappointing.”

Three years ago it was Manning and the Colts that were celebrating the euphoria of a Super Bowl title, and now, it’s pretty much the same Colts team that will have to sit back and talk about how tough it is to watch another team celebrate with the Lombardi Trophy.

“We are disappointed; certainly having won a Super Bowl three years ago I know how exciting it was for our team and for our players and our fans,” Manning said. “So I know the people of New Orleans and the Saints have that same feeling right now and I congratulate them.”

Feb

8

Porter Seals the Deal with Study of Colts Plays

Posted by Matt Loede under 2009 NFL Playoffs, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl
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It was the signature play of Super Bowl XLIV, as Louisiana native clinched the New Orleans Saints first ever Super Bowl title with a 74-yard pick pocket of Peyton Manning that went the distance to give New Orleans a 31-17 lead in the fourth quarter. It was a lead that would stand out, and one that Porter says came with plenty of study.

“It was great film study. We knew that on third-and-short they stack, and they like the outside release for the slant,” Porter said. “It was great film study by me, a great jump and a great play.”

Porter jumped in front of Reggie Wayne, and there was little question that the moment he had the ball in his hands that he was going to go the distance for the two touchdown lead. “When I saw my blockers in front of me and only Peyton (Manning) and the offensive linemen left,” Porter said. “I cut back and ran it in.”

While Drew Brees was the MVP, and rightfully so, it was Porter’s play that will get replayed time after time as the play that brought the city of New Orleans their first title. “It means so much,” Porter said. “Words can’t describe how much this means for New Orleans. I am a Louisiana native, and this is real big.”

Feb

8

Saints Stick It To Dungy: Win Super Bowl

Posted by Brant Houghton under NFL
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Only days after former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy said the New Orleans Saints had “no chance” in the Super Bowl, and would get blown out by the Colts, the Saints stuck it to the man, and made the Colts their whipping boy for night, and won the Big Game, the Super Bowl.

Drew Brees came away with the Super Bowl MVP after going 32/39 for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns, while not throwing a pick all night.

The 32 completions tied the Super Bowl record for most completions in the Grand Finale.

In what was the third straight exciting game to watch, Super Bowl wise, the Saints battled back from an early 10-0 deficit to stun the Colts, who seemed to be in complete control throughout the whole 1st quarter.

But after the butterflies flew away, and the Saints regained their cool, they showed who was indeed the better team, and stunned the world.

In a Super Bowl matchup that was deemed as even as you could get, both teams featuring high scoring offenses, with weak defenses, the game, which was predicted to be all about the offense, came down to one defensive play.

Late in the game, the 4th quarter to be exact, with the Colts driving, down 24-17, Peyton Manning threw an interception near mid-field,to Tracey Porter, which turned the Saints lead to 31-17, which would prove to be the final score.

Manning pretty much cost himself the Super Bowl, and another ring this game. There was really nobody else to blame but himself. He put himself in perfect position to get his team back into the game, only to no avail, after throwing the INT.

While Manning controlled the 1st quarter, Drew Brees controlled the rest of the game. After being down 10-0 after the 1st quarter, the Saints rallied back to only be down 10-6 at the half, after two field goals by Garrett Hartley.

Then, after a completely gutsy call, an onside kick to start the half by the Saints, who recovered. The Saints scored off of a Brees to Pierre Thomas 16 yard touchdown hookup, which made the score 13-10.

The back and forth game did not stop their. Manning rallied his troops to take the lead on a 4 yard run by Joseph Addai. This would now make the score 17-13.

The next quarter and a half was all Saints though. The Saints scored on yet another Hartley field goal, his third from 40+ yards, and then on a Brees to Shockey 2 yard touchdown pass.

This is where things got a little bit crazy, and the crucial call that usually happens in the Super Bowl, happened.

The score was 22-17, in favor of the Saints.

The Saints needed to go for two if they wished to force the Colts to score a touchdown just to tie the game. The Saints indeed went for two, and while Brees rolled out to his right, threw the ball to his awaiting receiver, Lance Moore, Moore looked to drop the pass as he was falling to the ground, and the play was ruled an incomplete pass.

But Saints head coach Sean Payton again showed his guts, and challenged the play.

Upon further review, the replay showed that Moore was indeed down, and the ball was in his full possession, as it crossed the goalline. The ball only came loose after he was down, and the ball was over the line, but even then, Moore retained possession after he caught the ball after a quick bobble.

The play was reversed, which made the score 24-17, and gave the Colts a little sense of urgency.

On the next drive, Manning threw the game-changing pick-six to Porter.

After that score to push the Saints lead to 31-17, there would be no more points put up on the scoreboard for the 2009-10 football season.

This years Super Bowl, featured two class acts at the quarterback position.

Both deserved to be there, but I have to give all the credit in the world to Brees and the Saints.

Brees pulled his team together, and won the game for not only himself and his teammates, but for the city of New Orleans as well.

Brees is an easy guy to like, and seeing his joyous face with tears running down his cheeks after the game, while he was holding his baby boy, was priceless to me, and that is one of the reasons why we watch the NFL, for moments like those.

This was a great season, with some painful moments, and some heartfelt moments, and I have to say, this season was capped off with one of the most heartbreaking moments for one team (Manning’s interception) and one of the most exhilarating, and heart-warming moments for one franchise as well (the Saints winning the Super Bowl).

The Saints winning the game, proved Dungy wrong, and in the process, warmed America’s hearts with one of the most amazing comebacks in Super Bowl history (10 points down), and one of the most emotional Super Bowl wins of all time.

Celebrate New Orleans, celebrate all you want, because you deserved it, and you now finally have a Super Bowl trophy that belongs to your city. Bourbon Street can go wild, and without a doubt, will be partying all night.

What a night my friends. Till next season. Congratulations again to the New Orleans Saints, who are your 2009-10 World Champions.

Feb

8

City of New Orleans Reacts to Title Win Over Colts

Posted by Matt Loede under 2009 NFL Playoffs, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl
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Rachel Nichols reports on the celebration in New Orleans following the Saints’ 31-17 victory in Super Bowl XLIV.

Feb

8

Who Dat! Saints Take Home First Super Bowl Trophy with 31-17 Win Over Colts

Posted by Matt Loede under 2009 NFL Playoffs, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Rumors, Super Bowl
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The New Orleans Saints can forever put away the paper bags.

Sunday night in Miami, they not only answered all those questions, they took their place as the best team in the National Football League. Led by a great outing by the games MVP, quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints beat the favored Indianapolis Colts 31-17 to win their first ever Super Bowl trophy.

Brees tied a Super Bowl record with 32 completions, the last a 2-yard slant to Jeremy Shockey for the winning points with 5:42 remaining. The defense put the game away the following drive for the Colts, as cornerback Tracy Porter stepped in front of wide out Reggie Wayne and took back a pick 74 yards for the game clinching score to ice the win.

“We just believed in ourselves and we knew that we had an entire city and maybe an entire country behind us,” Brees said. “What can I say? I tried to imagine what this moment would be like for a long time and it’s better than expected.”

Colts QB Peyton Manning was 31-for-45 for 333 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Colts seemed on their way to their second title in four years, as they led 10-6 at halftime, and then 17-13 with 6:15 to play in the third quarter after Joseph Addai went in from 4 yards out.

That’s when the Saints took over. Their offense took it down for kicker Garrett Hartley to nail a 47-yard field goal to make it 17-16. Then in the fourth quarter after Colts kicker Matt Stover missed a 51-yard field goal wide left, Brees and the Saints went on a 9-play, 59-yard drive that ended with Brees hitting tight end Jeremy Shockey with a 2-yard TD pass, then Brees hit Lance Moore with the two-point conversion, which at first was ruled incomplete, but then overturned.

The Colts drove to the Saints 26 before Porter picked off Manning for the game-clinching score. “It’s time for the Saints to celebrate,” he said. “It’s their field and it’s their championship.”

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