Super Bowl XLIV: A Black and Gold Super Bowl

It is finally our year. My Saints are in the Super Bowl!

I have wished for this for as many years as I have been following football. Although usually it was along the same lines of winning the lottery, but not this time.

This time, the words 'Super' and 'Bowl' were not uttered together until the home field advantage was secured; no way was I going to jinx this one.

From the first time I caught a glimpse of my boys this year during OTA's, I had a feeling that this year was going to be different. I remember seeing the defense take the field with an intensity that I had seen before, but dare not make that inference aloud.

But it was a look I had seen from that angle a few, ok, more like several years ago. It wasn't necessarily hard hits; it was still OTA's for Pete's sake. It was arms up in the air as the ball was thrown. Both a nose and an eye for the ball from whistle to whistle.

I wasn't the only one who noticed the change, and then again it wasn't just on the defense. The emergence of Mike Bell and Lynell Hamilton gave the offense depth that in year's past we could only hope for.

As the season progressed, so did our firm belief that it is our year. It didn't matter if the national media didn't see it our way; discounting the team is something we are used to down here. Stay focused is what continued from the team, while faith continued from the fans.

This team will go down in history as the first team to make it to the Super Bowl, and as a fan, I will never forget.

As I await the game of all games, I can't help but reflect on the season, the city, and the many subplots of both.

Unless you have been under a rock or new to football, having the Saints and a Manning meet for our first Super Bowl is just poetic justice. As natives of New Orleans, the Manning family is thrilled for the Saints organization.

John Madden's "Most Valuable Protectors" award went to the New Orleans Saints' Offensive line. True to form, and why we love Archie so; he accepted the award on behalf of the Saints since they were at practice.

"Don't feel sorry for me" were the words of Archie Manning this week in reference to his son playing his old team. It is a win all around.

Or is it an all around win for the Saints and New Orleans?

As mentioned earlier, this year’s defensive unit of the New Orleans Saints has been compared, rightfully so to the Rickey Jackson led Dome Patrol. The unit was voted the No.1 Linebacking Corps of all time by NFL films and ESPN this past year.

Sorry Mr. Jackson, I left one very important title out: NFL Hall of Famer, Rickey Jackson.

I am not saying it's destiny for the Bless You Boys to take the Lombardi trophy home, but when Lombardi's grandson is part of the Saints' coaching staff, the Manning family in the game, Rickey Jackson voted into the Hall of Fame the day before, all during Carnival time, I am saying the stars are aligned for miracles to happen.

One last tidbit to chew on before the kickoff: the man set to call the play by play for the game is none other than Jim Nantz. Jim lived in Metairie, Louisiana for a few years of his youth and was in Tulane Stadium for both his and the New Orleans Saints' first ever football game.

Believe... Black and Gold Super Bowl!