Bandwagon Saints fan's thoughts

[Todd4State]

First of all, no matter how you feel about Brett Favre, and personally I don't care for him all that much, you have to respect the way he plays the game. He gets knocked down time and time again, and he doesn't whine to the officials- he just gets up and makes another play.

But my gosh, what a day for the Saints! It just seems unreal that they are in the Super Bowl. I thought they had some big time problems with the Vikings d-line, although there were very few sacks, there were a lot of third and longs, and the Vikings seemed to win every short yardage situation.

The Saints defense really stepped up big time- they caused several turnovers, and could have had a few more. I see why they create so many turnovers. I thought the pressure on Favre was good- even without the sacks. They're a good offense with Favre and Peterson among others, but the Saints stepped up when they needed to. At least one of the late hit calls on Favre was absolute BS. I know the NFL wants to protect their stars, but to call a late hit when the defender first makes contact with the QB while he still has the ball is ridiculous.

I was worried about Hartley, but he stepped up. They kept talking about John Carney possibly trying the kick, but I also remember Carney missing a key EXTRA POINT a few years ago. Maybe it was a short field goal- I wasn't on the bandwagon then.

Reggie Bush played like crap. He needs to step up in the Super Bowl. Brees didn't have his best game either, but he was adequate. It would be nice if Shockey got healthy before the Super Bowl as well. Pierre Thomas of all people really played well. Darren Sharper made a tackle on every play it seemed like. Vilma played pretty well and he got a nice pick during regulation.

Well, now the Saints have knocked off USM's boy and MSU's adopted boy in Favre. Now maybe they can knock off Archie's boy.

Looking forward to a re-match between the two teams that played the last pre-season game at the Vet. Unlike last time, most of the people will actually be able to watch the entire game. I have a feeling that Miami is going to have their "Super Bowl" a LOT more organized than the people at the Vet. Of course, if the game was held in Haiti right now, it would be more organized as well.

Who dat?

 

[ArrowDawg]

...............congratulations for finally seeing your dreams come true. It'd be for melikeseeing MSU finally win the SEC Championship in football one day, or making it to the BCS title game. Neither seem very possible, but you always remain hopeful that one day it could happen. For Saints fans, it finally did. Consider me a bandwagoner I'll all in for the Super Bowl and the New Orleans Saints. It's a great story, especially for a long suffering franchise and fans and citizens of New Orleans who have been through so much. It's good enough ofa story to be a movie.

As for Favre, unfortunately a lot of people, particularly his haters, will harp onand focus entirely on the fact that he threw another INT that led to his team losing in the NFC title game. But if you want to be objective, you'll recognize that this was a game the Vikings dominated in every category except one, and that's turnovers. It wasn't just about Favre's INT either, but a mess of a game as a whole from a team that couldn't hold onto the football. If AP could hold onto the football, if Harvin hadn't fumbled, if Barrian hadn't fumbled, and yes if Favre hadn't thrown that INT, they would have walked away with a fairly dominating victory and a trip to Miami.That's not to take ANY credit away from the Saints. They played relentless, aggressive football. They pounded Favre into a pulp, and they forced some of those turnovers. It was a brutal battle and the Saints just refused to lose. They earned the right to have home field, which helped tremendously, and in a sense they laid the groundwork for this victory during the regular season.

I just hope people will give Favre his due for taking that team as far as he did. He was doubted before it ever happened, but he did it against the odds. That INT doesn't define his legacy. He's one of the best to ever play the game, like him or not.

Edited to add: Todd, I was at that pre-season game at the Vet. The thought crossed my mind tonightthat I got to see a futue Super Bowl matchup back then. Fortunately for me I got in there early that day and didn't have the problems that others had. As for the organziation of the Miami Super Bowl, I'm sure it'll be fine, but I do pray it's NOT RAINING this time!!!

 

[bulldog saints fan]

As a lifelong Saints fan I have seen my fair share of disappointments but I can't believe we are in the super bowl. I am beyond happy.

Kudos to Brett Favre. He took a beating today and kept making plays. A tip of the cap to you sir.

We will have to play much better to beat the colts but at least we have a chance...and i'll take it all day long..WHO DAT</p>

 

[klong17]

My Saints are Super Bowl Bound!!! Never thought I'd live long enough to say those words!!!!!!

 

[Todd4State]

when:

1. They were in FG range until the 12 men in the huddle penalty. I can almost guarantee that Minnesota gives the ball to Chester or Peterson, which would have been a much safer play than what they ended up running had they not had that penalty. Unless Les Miles moonlights as their OC, of course. That penalty knocked them out of FG range, and a running play would be risky in terms of getting them back in FG range. Maybe they bust open a nice run on a draw or something, but as far as getting in FG range, a pass play gave them a better chance of getting in FG range in all likelihood.

2. It was a calculated risk. Worst thing that happens is that it gets picked and the Saints take it to the house. That almost happened. But there's also a fairly decent chance that Favre makes the play and they get back in FG range or Rice makes a play and gets a TD. Even if he throws a pick, the game goes to OT- and then it comes down to a coin flip. Or most likely it's an incompletion, and Longwell tries a really long FG, and he makes it they win, if not, OT. Was Favre wrong by throwing across his body? Yes, but he was also trying to win the game and he was forced to do that by the Saints. It's not like he had four other guys wide open.

 

[PineGroveBully]

With the Saints crowding the box I didnt think they would pick up much of anything on 3rd down. Go from having a 50/50 chance on a 50 yd field goal to having to pass on 3rd down. I expected Favre to pick up 15 yards on the pass and end up with a 30+ yarder to win it instead of the 50.

 

[Todd4State]

I had to work at UMC that day, and I knew I was going to be stuck there anyway, so I got a ticket. Parked in the UMC garage legally, walked across the street, got harassed by a JPD police officer for no apparent reason- I was walking across the street in a cross walk from UMC to the stadium while the sign said "WALK" and he made me turn around and go to the other, more dangerous side of the street to get across. And he was an *** about it to. I still can't figure that one out- he also got pissed when I asked why because other people were crossing the street with me. It was bizarre.

And then the riot scene at the Vet with both gates open and a large pile of umbrellas and another JPD officer trying to tell a mob what to do with a bullhorn. I thought the Saints fans from Louisiana were going to kill him.

It was a treat watching Peyton Manning play though- as well as Brees. But I must say that Peyton is the best QB I've ever seen play in person. I couldn't believe his accuracy.

 

[dirtydawg40]

I can remember sitting with him listening to the games on wwl when I was a kid, I will be 44 next friday. When then kick nwent through the crossbars tonite he said " son, I been waiting for this since you were born." I told him as he was headed home that nI lovged him, and he better be careful, cause all his dreams were coming true. BTW, I told him about the fav player post on sixpack, he said he'd have to pick Tommy Myers.