What the howl?
Why you can't root against the Saints this Sunday
James Lepine
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Sports
For NFL enthusiasts, this is it. The entire season has come down to this week and I would not be surprised if beer sales are higher than average over the upcoming weekend.
Superbowl Sunday, 2010. On one side, it's the well-polished offense of the Indianapolis Colts, led by field general Peyton Manning. On the other side, it's the high-octane, big play oriented offense of the New Orleans Saints, led by Drew "The Surgeon" Brees.
Both teams were dominant during the regular season. The Colts were well on their way to finishing 16-0 before they pulled some of the starters in the later quarters of their last games.
Although that decision was not popular with fans at the time, I have a feeling they don't mind so much now.
The Saints remained undefeated until week 15, when the Dallas Cowboys handed them their first loss. The Saints would finish 13-3, giving them the top seed in the NFC.
Some pundits questioned whether the team had lost its steam; I think we have our answer to that question.
There are four reasons why you can not root against the Saints this Sunday.
1. It's thei r first trip to the Superbowl.
After 42 years in the league. Yeah, you read that right. Now, only the Texans, Browns, Jaguars, and Lions are worthy of being part of such a distinguished group. The Non-Superbowl group. And the Lions have been at it for 80 years. Ouch.
2. Hurricane Katrina.
Remember that one? Yeah, it happened about four and a half years ago, but the city is still rebuilding. It shouldn't be surprising.
The city experienced over $100 billion in damages, and just under 2000 deaths. The Saints did not play a home game during the entire 2005 season; in fact, the Superdome was used as a shelter for those who had stayed behind during the storm.
Now, the Superdome is a different type of shelter - it is a place of pride and resiliency. It represents the unbending spirit of the people who come and yell, "Who Dat?"
Superbowl Sunday, 2010. On one side, it's the well-polished offense of the Indianapolis Colts, led by field general Peyton Manning. On the other side, it's the high-octane, big play oriented offense of the New Orleans Saints, led by Drew "The Surgeon" Brees.
Both teams were dominant during the regular season. The Colts were well on their way to finishing 16-0 before they pulled some of the starters in the later quarters of their last games.
Although that decision was not popular with fans at the time, I have a feeling they don't mind so much now.
The Saints remained undefeated until week 15, when the Dallas Cowboys handed them their first loss. The Saints would finish 13-3, giving them the top seed in the NFC.
Some pundits questioned whether the team had lost its steam; I think we have our answer to that question.
There are four reasons why you can not root against the Saints this Sunday.
1. It's thei r first trip to the Superbowl.
After 42 years in the league. Yeah, you read that right. Now, only the Texans, Browns, Jaguars, and Lions are worthy of being part of such a distinguished group. The Non-Superbowl group. And the Lions have been at it for 80 years. Ouch.
2. Hurricane Katrina.
Remember that one? Yeah, it happened about four and a half years ago, but the city is still rebuilding. It shouldn't be surprising.
The city experienced over $100 billion in damages, and just under 2000 deaths. The Saints did not play a home game during the entire 2005 season; in fact, the Superdome was used as a shelter for those who had stayed behind during the storm.
Now, the Superdome is a different type of shelter - it is a place of pride and resiliency. It represents the unbending spirit of the people who come and yell, "Who Dat?"
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