You Gotta Want It! Why The Saints Are "Bringing It" In The New NFL!

Recently, I heard of an outrageous practice among junior high coaches and their sports programs. Astounded, I listened as my colleague told me that a coach had been formally rebuked by his higher-ups because he neglected to instruct his players to stop "pressing" when they were beating the tar out of the other team. I didn't know it at the time, but I was informed that "pressing" is what basketball players do to keep the opposition from scoring. Uh, tell them to STOP pressing? It hit me that this is what's wrong with our school system, academically and on the playing field, but that's another story.

Whether this is good practice or not in junior high, or high school for that matter, is for others to decide. I have my opinion. Others can disagree. But the long-term effects of such a practice cannot be good.

How long do you think this practice has been going on? 10, maybe even 20 years? Long enough that there are now NFL players taking the field with that mentality deeply engrained in their subconscious? Pesky little thoughts like, "Can't touch the Old Legend" or "Can't touch the Golden Child."

Let's take a look at this year's NFL play, shall we?

The Saints played hungry all season, never holding back, leading the league in touchdowns, both offensive and defensive, spreading the ball around, and stripping the ball every chance they got. As a team, they led the league in offense, but had no leading players, no one player hogging all the glory. Early on, they were averaging a record 30 plus points a game and outscoring the other teams heavily.

The Colts, on the other hand, played it safe. They relied on a few key receivers and Manning's arm. They stayed with what worked, which was passing, passing, passing, and the scores were tight in many games because of that limited play. On at least nine occasions, they had to come from behind to win.

Not only did the Saints play with hunger, but they also exercised humility off the field. It seemed that Sean Payton was keeping his players' egos in check for the most part. There have been other winning seasons (late 80s, early 90s) when I felt they were shooting themselves in the foot with their hubris. I didn't see that this year, with the Saints, that is.

Cowboys and Vikings? We saw plenty hubris. After the Cowboys beat an injury-ridden Saints team in December, you'd have thought they hung the moon! Suddenly, Romo was unstoppable and their fans became obnoxious.

And then there's the Vikings... On the sidelines of the Superdome, Pam Oliver asks Brad Childress whether the noise would be a factor, and his response was that there were more than enough Vikings fans there to make just as much noise and that his is the better team. He seemed miffed by the question. Well, 60 plus minutes of game play later, and he's eating his words.

Hunger, Humility, and...Teamwork. Prescription for Success! The 09 Saints are probably the most well-rounded team we've seen in a long time that actually play to win for the right reasons, i.e. for each other and the fans.

"This is my best season ever!" Such telling words from a quarterback who's spent only one year with his team. Who's he thinking about? And after the NFC championship game, you'd better believe the offensive linemen know exactly who he's thinking about as well. But he's a legend, hands off! Just don't ask me to hurt myself protecting him.

And then there's the Colts. They love their Manning and obviously protect him well. But, bless their little hearts, they can't win without him, and they know it. But he's our Golden Boy, hands off! Please, he's our only hope.

The Saints went after the quarterback with a vengeance because getting into their heads and making them nervous works. It's not dirty pool or dirty tricks or cheating. It's playing gutsy, all or nothing, nothing to lose, football. If you thought it was dirty or cheating, then maybe you haven't seen this kind of competition in a while.

From the 10th week on, true Saints fans like myself were just tickled pink with the records the Saints were setting for themselves. It was exciting and fullfulling enough just to be in the Superbowl. And our guys knew we were ecstatic. We were enjoying the ride with them. The Saints were counted out a couple of times during the season and weren't really taken seriously until they beat the Vikings, and then only after a couple of days to get over the shock.

That's why you don't believe what people tell you to believe. You believe in yourself and go for broke. If it works out, awesome. If not, then you can say you gave it your all and will give it your all next time.

They are a thrill to watch, and I'm hoping for more exciting play from all teams next year, as this may be a new era in football; playing your heart out.