Super Saints Win The Super Bowl

It had to happen eventually. After 42 years of being the franchise that made teams like the Chargers, Browns, and Lions feel better about themselves, the New Orleans Saints finally broke free of the ‘Aints label by bringing home the Lombardi Trophy to a party-loving city that by now should surely resemble some sort of Third World war zone. The media have already covered the factors that won the Saints the big game (Sean Payton’s gutsy play-calling, Drew Brees’ perfect game, Tracy Porter’s championship-clinching pick six), but the win in Miami was simply the end to a highly successful season. A season powered by three big factors, which we hope to dissect.

 

1)   Defense

This is the big one. Everyone knew before the season that the Saints offense was going to excel, considering they were the league’s top offense in 2008. Their defense, however, garnered noticeably less praise; promised “improvements” never came, and held back the team mightily in the 08 season. They were so poor, in fact, that Payton decided he needed a top quality defensive coordinator in the form of Gregg Williams; so much so, in fact, that Payton offered to take a $250,000 pay cut so the Williams hire could be facilitated. The change was noticeable; this year’s Saints defense was not among the elite, but they found ways to force turnovers (think Porter’s plays in the Super Bowl and the NFC Championship game) and make big stops when needed; and, in the end, that was all that was necessary for the Saints offense to able to cut lose and take them to the title.

 

2) Pierre Thomas

The Saints’ success was truly a team effort, but if you had to point to the one player who’s effort really picked up from a year ago, it would have to be the diminutive running back Thomas. He was used only sparingly in 2008, despite an encouraging start to the season and a strong work ethic, but he got a chance to shine in 2009 and he grabbed it with both hands. He scored one less regular season touchdown (8) than last season, but averaged 5.4 yards per carry, as well as 7.7 yards per pass. He proved to be a handy security blanket for Brees, as he exploited defenses that overlooked dump passes, screens, and the running game as they tried to prevent long passing plays. He also stood up and delivered in the playoffs; three scores in the two games against the Vikings and the Colts allowed him to show the nation just how important a tool he had become to the explosive New Orleans offense.

 

3) Maturity

            Maturity is a vague and pretty ambiguous term, but there is no doubt

that the Saints this year showed all the signs of an experienced and mature squad. Payton and the rest of the management helped facilitate that at the beginning of the season by adding established professionals into the establishment; Williams and veteran safety Darren Sharper are the two most famous examples. Drew Brees and his receiving corps also seemed like they mature as well; even though they still based their offense around a high-octane passing game and big plays, their was an air of efficiency and caution that was missing in seasons past. Even Reggie Bush, derided for the last few years as an expensive bust, put down his head and shouldered some responsibility; his epic playoff game against the Cardinals epitomized the steady improvement and valuable contributions he began to make for his team. Other players began to make a name for themselves throughout the course of their magical season. Perhaps no other player better characterizes that than cornerback Tracy Porter, who started the season a little known second stringer. By season’s end, of course, he had become a valuable part of the Saint’s defense, and a Super Bowl hero.

 

            Those are just a few of the reasons why the New Orleans Saints, so long a symbol of, to say the least, mediocrity, will enter the 2010 NFL season as defending Super Bowl champions. It’s a Cinderella story predicated on the idea of working hard and never giving up, and it gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, my beloved Jaguars will one day bring home a Super Bowl title. Well, maybe two miracles is too much to ask for.