Oh how they wanted to be in that number. And how they will all be marching up and down Bourbon Street, for a Mardi Gras that may last until Christmas. The New Orleans Saints – the team that was named after the famous gospel, the team for so long the whipping boys of the National Football League, and the team that has carried the hopes of a city – produced the performance of their lives to win last night’s Super Bowl XLIV in Miami.

Finally, the city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, can for a brief moment forget its ongoing battle to rebuild itself both economically and in terms of infrastructure, and can party in the manner for which it has been famed. Whilst not an advocate of mixing sport with ‘current affairs’, only the most naive could ignore the impact of the Saints Franchise on this city over the last few years.

At the time of Katrina, The Superdome played home to thousands who had lost their homes. In the ensuing period, the people of New Orleans have seen their team rise from the lower echelons of the league through to their new status of World Champions. It can only serve as an inspiration to the population in their attempts to rejuvenate the city.

In sporting terms, the resurgence of the New Orleans Saints coincided with the arrival of Sean Payton as Head Coach in 2006. His first major acquisition was that of Drew Brees as the team’s starting Quarterback. Under this pair, the franchise has steadily improved finishing as the NFL’s top ranked offensive team in 3 of the last 4 seasons. However, there were still defensive failings which prevented the Saints from progressing through the Post-Season. Until now.

So badly did Payton want Gregg Williams as his Defensive Coordinator, the Saints’ Head Coach voluntarily sacrificed $ 250,000 of his own salary to facilitate Williams’ arrival in the Big Easy. Despite his unsuccessful stint as Head Coach of the Buffalo Bills, Williams retained his reputation as one of the brightest defensive minds in the game. Furthermore, Williams had a point to prove after being overlooked for the number 1 job in Washington despite working wonders with the defense with the ‘Skins.

The result is now there for all to see, and for Payton, he should never as successfully take a Quarter of a Million Dollar pay cut again! The Saints have been strong on both sides of the ball this year. Oddly enough, many still had doubts about their Playoff credentials even after their Conference leading Regular Season. However, Williams’ defense battered Kurt Warner‘s Cardinals into submission, before the dramatic Conference Championship victory against the Minnesota Vikings, with the Defense again making the big plays when it mattered.

I am a little surprised that many pundits have described last night’s result as a ‘huge shock’. In last week’s preview, I said that it would be close, and admittedly felt that the Colts would just prevail. However the Saints were always going to have a chance if they played to the best of their ability. They executed in every area with Brees leading a high class offensive effort, and both Defense and Special Teams making big plays. Most importantly, they were mistake free, and the Coaches were true to their word of taking calculated gambles, none more so than the Onside Kick-Off to start the Second Half.

Essentially, Super Bowl XLIV brought together the two teams with the best records in football. It does not happen often, but it was always going to be a tight contest. Maybe Peyton Manning intimidated the media and the bookmakers, but not the New Orleans Saints. Gregg Williams defensive scheme was run along the lines of the ‘bend but not break’ model, conceding yards to the Colts but only allowing them into the End Zone twice. Whilst not quite a mirror of Bill Belichick‘s defensive masterplan which stifled the potent Buffalo Bills in 1991, this had the similar effect of giving the offense the opportunity to stay in the game.

As it transpired, unlike that Super Bowl XXV, the winners would not have to rely on opposition mistakes for their victory. They created their turnover when they needed it most, and in a moment of theatre that will be seen for years to come, the 23 year old Tracy Porter ‘marched’ his team towards their own immortality.

Looking at the squad in place, and the coaching staff, there is every reason to believe that the Saints will be near to the top of the pile again next year. I fully expect that the Colts will be also, although they will have to make adjustments in the running game, despite Manning’s ubiquitous presence, and also on defence.

For now, it is the end of another memorable NFL season, a season in which a franchise without a Super Bowl appearance, became the latest to walk away with a Super Bowl victory. To the City and people of New Orleans, to Sean Payton and his staff, enjoy every moment for it is highly deserved. Now Who Dat Marching in?

Rohan Kallicharan

I am the editor of hetoreahamstring.co.uk and also have a personal site at rohankallicharan.co.uk. I am passionate about all sports and would probably pay over the odds from a tout to watch the world tiddlywinks final. I was fortunate to grow up inside the dressing room of the legendary West Indian cricket team of the 1970/80s - this has, I hope, given me a real insight into sport as a whole and the mindset of successful sportsmen. I played cricket and rugby at representative level as a youth, and also have a UK College Bowl winning medal in American Football! My real passions are West Indian cricket and Liverpool Football Club but I will write about much more! I hope you enjoy the site.

More Posts

Follow Me: