Mitch's Musings

For those of you that were either in a temporary coma, or dead I’m sorry, you missed a good one. Presumably these are the only two groups of people who weren’t watching the Super Bowl Sunday as the underdog New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.

In what became somewhat of a David v. Goliath matchup last Sunday, David, in the body of one Drew Brees, yet again prevailed.

A game that broke the record for most watched program of all time, unseating the M.A.S.H. final episode, provided a classic football game that was enthralling until the very end.

This was supposed to be set in stone Peyton Manning’s legacy as greatest of our generation, making him the next Joe Montana or Terry Bradshaw. Unfortunately, the emotional edge and support of the nation combined with the arm of Drew Brees and timeliness of a Tracy Porter pick-6 ensured Manning’s legend would not grow, at least this year.

In what became a game of calm determination, the Saints’ offense was exactly the opposite for a usually precise Colts offense that missed opportunities left and right (Pierre Garcon’s dropped pass in the middle of the second quarter on third down, for me, was the turning point in the game).

Not only did the Colts miss opportunities, but Manning looked frustrated and jumpy in the pocket while the Saints’ sideline was united and optimistic. There is no better example of this than Saints head coach Sean Payton’s gutsiness in a post halftime onside kickoff attempt.

Not only has there never been a successful onside attempt in a Super Bowl, but there has never even been one attempted outside of the fourth quarter.

This successful attempt, along with some great overall play, allowed the Saints to restore hope in a previously hopeless franchise. The Saints have never won a Super
Bowl before this year, and after Hurricane Katrina a few years back, it looked like the New Orleans Saints would soon be the San Antonio Saints or Los Angeles Saints.

However, with the support of the fans and luckily picking up Drew Brees off of the free agent wire, the Saints only took a few years to rebuild. Along with the city, the franchise was rebuilding and only now can they say they are back.

Not only was this win great for football, great for TV and great for sports in general, it was great for a city, great for a state, great for all those people who thought their football team was doomed just like their city had been after Katrina.

It was a team effort, led by the Saint of New Orleans, Drew Brees, Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gunna beat dem Saints? Well this year, no one.