Super Bowl XLIV: The battle for glory
The New Orleans Saints will march to victory
With enough offensive firepower to compete with Mike "The Situation's" arsenal of "grenades", the New Orlean's Saints look to enter their biggest game in franchise history. While answering most of the questions from haters and doubters around the NFL community, one question still remains, "Where did all these weapons come from?"
If even the most canny football correspondents had a time machine and looked at the Saint's current roster as of 2008, "Who Dat?" is a question that wouldn't be far off. Granted, superstars Jeremy Shockey and Reggie Bush come as advertised. But let us go down the list: Mike Bell (Who Dat?), Pierre Thomas (Who Dat?), Mr. Seventh-round draft pick Marquest Colston (Who Dat?), Robert Meachem (Who Dat?).
Perhaps the most surprising of them all, Drew Brees is coming off a potential career-ending surgery three years back and was written off by the bottom-feeding teams of the NFL. Brees came back, only to break a mass of records, while leading one of the most prolific offensive teams in NFL history (Who DaThought?).
While each player brings a different skill set to the table with exceptional talent, the team is reminiscent of the New England Patriots of the mid-2000's. Just being around players with chemistry and an upper caliber makes each individual better at what he does.
There are two components that are key for the Saints' success come Sunday: the 3-4 defense and the triple-threat running game. The 3-4 defense, which has proven to be Peyton Manning's kryptonite in past years, will be crucial for the Saints, if they have any chance in stopping Superman (Manning). It was evident that Manning was not himself in the first half against the Jets' 3-4 defense, which, keep in mind, is still better than most QBs in the NFL.
However, it is no surprise that Peyton got better as the game progressed, just as he seems to get better as each season progresses. Anchored by former Miami Hurricane standout, linebacker Jonathon Vilma, the Saints 3-4 will attempt to change up looks throughout the game. Shutting down Peyton Manning is out of the question, so they will look to shut him out long enough for the Saints' offense to take hold. Which leads to the next key to victory: securing a strong running game.
If even the most canny football correspondents had a time machine and looked at the Saint's current roster as of 2008, "Who Dat?" is a question that wouldn't be far off. Granted, superstars Jeremy Shockey and Reggie Bush come as advertised. But let us go down the list: Mike Bell (Who Dat?), Pierre Thomas (Who Dat?), Mr. Seventh-round draft pick Marquest Colston (Who Dat?), Robert Meachem (Who Dat?).
Perhaps the most surprising of them all, Drew Brees is coming off a potential career-ending surgery three years back and was written off by the bottom-feeding teams of the NFL. Brees came back, only to break a mass of records, while leading one of the most prolific offensive teams in NFL history (Who DaThought?).
While each player brings a different skill set to the table with exceptional talent, the team is reminiscent of the New England Patriots of the mid-2000's. Just being around players with chemistry and an upper caliber makes each individual better at what he does.
There are two components that are key for the Saints' success come Sunday: the 3-4 defense and the triple-threat running game. The 3-4 defense, which has proven to be Peyton Manning's kryptonite in past years, will be crucial for the Saints, if they have any chance in stopping Superman (Manning). It was evident that Manning was not himself in the first half against the Jets' 3-4 defense, which, keep in mind, is still better than most QBs in the NFL.
However, it is no surprise that Peyton got better as the game progressed, just as he seems to get better as each season progresses. Anchored by former Miami Hurricane standout, linebacker Jonathon Vilma, the Saints 3-4 will attempt to change up looks throughout the game. Shutting down Peyton Manning is out of the question, so they will look to shut him out long enough for the Saints' offense to take hold. Which leads to the next key to victory: securing a strong running game.
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