[1]By Mike Rizzuto
Sun Times Editor
Let me start this by saying that there is no justifiable cliche, catch phrase, or humorous way to start this column, for some things cannot be described by mere human verbiage. All that matters is this: New Orleans Saints 31 Indianapolis Colts 17, the final score of Super Bowl XLIV in Miami this past Sunday evening!
Yes, after 43 frustrating, heartbreaking years, the Black and Gold of the Crescent City has laid claim to the biggest prize in the world of professional football.
As the late Freddie Mercury of the rock band Queen once sang, “we are the champions, my friend!”
And nobody can take this away from us, either.
The Saints took the most improbable of wins over the favored Colts and the NFL’s precious poster boy for perfection, Indianapolis’ quarterback Peyton Manning, who was praised ad nauseam for the past two weeks as being unbeatable by the talking heads in all of the major television markets.
The Saints, by comparison, weren’t even given the proverbial puncher’s chance against the Colts. Indy was too polished, too crafty, and too good for the likes of New Orleans to overcome, or so they thought.
But nobody told the pesky “Who Dats” that they were supposed to roll over and play dead. In fact, the boys from the bayou actually felt they had a chance to spring the upset all along.
The Saints knew that winning would not come easy, which was the exact way things unfolded in the first quarter of play. New Orleans showed a bit of nerves in that initial stanza, failing to move the football into scoring range and watching Indianapolis race out to a quick 10-0 lead.
As television announcers appeared ready to crown the Colts as Super Bowl champs and hand them the Lombardi Trophy as well, the Saints slowly got themselves into gear, as placekicker Garrett Hartley booted two field goals (46 yards, 44 yards) in the second period to cut the lead to 10-6 at the half. With Indy set to receive the kickoff to start the third quarter, the worm suddenly began to turn in the Saints’ direction.
New Orleans head coach Sean Payton called for an onside kick instead to open the second half, with Thomas Morstead booting it to his left, bouncing it off a Colt player’s helmet, and the Saints gaining possession of the pigskin near midfield, as Manning brooded on the sidelines.
Just a few minutes later, Saints’ running back Pierre Thomas took in a Drew Brees screen pass and danced right for 16 yards for the first Saint touchdown of the night, as New Orleans grabbed their first lead at 13-10.
The Colts would roar back just five short minutes later, as ex-LSU star running back Joseph Addai rushed off right tackle to put Indy back in front 17-13, calming the nerves of the talking heads in the process.
But Hartley would add his third field goal, a 47-yarder, to cut the Colt lead to 17-16 and set a new Super Bowl record for three successful field goals made over 40 yards in a single contest, as the Saints were down by just one.
Manning was unable to put points on the board on his next possession, as kicker Matt Stover was wide left on a 51-yard field goal attempt, opening the door for another Saints comeback win as the third quarter came to a close.
Brees moved his team steadily down the football field via the forward pass, befuddling the Colts time and time again with different looks, sets, and formations, hitting a plethora of different receivers to reach the Indy two.
Brees then found tight end Jeremy Shockey on a quick slant on the right side in the Colt end zone, as New Orleans took a 22-17 advantage.
Brees then found receiver Lance Moore on a square out right for the two point conversion, which was only admitted after a challenge flag was thrown by Payton after the pass was initially ruled incomplete.
Manning seemed poised to tie the game, but was pressured by the hard-charging Saint pass rush as he attempted to hit a receiver on a curl route on the left side of the Colt formation. New Orleans cornerback Tracy Porter, who just last week intercepted Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre to send the game into overtime, picked off another and raced 74 yards untouched for the clinching Saint touchdown, as New Orleans fans went wild with a 31-17 lead.
The valiant Saint defense would halt Manning again inside the five on downs, winning their first ever Super Bowl in upset fashion by that final of 31-17.
Brees was simply magnificent on this evening, out-classing Manning and winning MVP honors after completing 32 of 39 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Brees was not intercepted.
Manning was good on 31 of 45 passes for 333 yards, but was picked off twice by the opportunistic Saints’ defense, which forced six turnovers in the NFC Title Game two weeks ago.
Marcus Colston led New Orleans with seven receptions for 83 yards, while Devery Henderson had seven for 63 markers. Thomas and Reggie Bush had six and four catches respectively for 55 and 38 total yards for the Saints.
New Orleans defensive coach Gregg Williams had a superior defensive plan all night long to thwart the Colts’ offense, as safety Roman Harper and middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma had seven tackles apiece. Linebacker Scott Shanle and rookie cornerback Malcolm Jenkins each had five stops, while Porter and linebacker Scott Fujita each contributed four.
Neither team could mount a successful rushing game, as both defenses proved to be too staunch against the run.
As soon as the game was over, Bourbon Street was thick with happy revelers, who no doubt were ready to start their Mardi Gras a bit early this year thanks to their Black and Gold heroes.
In small towns and cities all over Louisiana, citizens took to the streets in celebration dressed appropriately in their favorite Black and Gold gear in praise of the champions from the Crescent City.
Saints’ championship apparel was being produced in stores all over the state, and crowds were seen busily making their way in line to purchase jerseys, tee-shirts and caps for this special occasion.
News of the New Orleans championship win was quickly aired on radio and television, with many prognosticators referring to the Saints as the new “America’s Team.”
WWL Radio in New Orleans was busy fielding calls from some of the most rabid fans, who were calling to celebrate with ex-Saints’ quarterback Bobby Hebert, the popular radio host who donned a dress after New Orleans’ win over Minnesota in remembrance of late sports broadcaster Buddy Dillaberto, who had promised fans for years that he would do the same if the Saints ever reached the Super Bowl.
One has to wonder how long the celebrating will continue, since fans have waited so long for a Super Bowl Title. It won’t last forever, but the sweet memories evoked Sunday undoubtedly will. After all, what the Saints achieved is unmatched in the long history of Louisiana sports... and possibly anything else, too!