Archive for the ‘Super Bowl’ Category
Can The Saints Win Back-To-Back Super Bowl Titles?
Throughout the history of the Lombardi Trophy, only seven teams have won back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Usually those teams have had something that sets them apart from the rest of the league. Whether it is an unstoppable passing game, a punishing defense, or a dominating run game, those previous teams have had a dominance in one form or another.
The 2009 Saints have a similar aura around them. Last season they were able to beat teams on either side of the ball. With a takeaway-happy defense, they were one of the top teams in the league in turnovers with 26 interceptions and 15 forced fumbles. Newly added defensive coordinator Gregg Williams instilled an attacking mentality into this defensive unit and caught the whole league by surprise. The defensive line is able to push offensive lines and cause enough problems early to disrupt timing in many high powered offenses.
If a team was able to overcome the defense, the offense could give you a shootout. The passing game led by QB Drew Brees was amazing, to say the least. Brees was only the second QB in history to throw for over 5,000 yards, behind Hall of Famer Dan Marino. With an offensive assortment of weapons like Marques Colston and Devery Henderson and a great screen game with Reggie Bush, it's hard to find a weakness in this unit.
Their special teams game was not lacking either. Reggie Bush is great in the return game and a threat to take it to the house anytime he's back to receive the kick. This team shows no true flaws and it's no wonder why they look to be a lock to win the NFC South for a second year in a row.
To make things better for the Saints, the upcoming 2010 schedule for them isn't exactly a gauntlet. They have the 27th hardest schedule according to NFL.com. The upcoming season has them facing the NFC West and the AFC North. While the AFC North has some competitive teams, I don't believe that any team in that division can truly hang with them in an offensive shootout.
When a team dominated by such a large margin of victory last year only to have another easy schedule to follow, its not a far shot to think if they can repeat as Super Bowl victors. All the other top competitive teams in the NFC seem to have some serious flaws right now as well.
Minnesota, considered to be the prime competition for New Orleans this season, is missing its top receiver for the first half of the season. Not to mention, Brett Favre's ankle is still an issue. With his age, it's not looking like it will get better before it gets worse.
Dallas can't seem to shake this offensive funk that it has fallen into. Their aging offensive line has started to develop injuries which can be a serious problem going down the stretch. Their offensive line was the downfall the past few years and they haven't really infused it with the needed youth to continue to compete deep into the postseason.
The one team I do see possibly causing some real problems would be Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers and company do have a great offensive unit and a decent run game. Their defense is young in the front seven, but I do see the secondary being a possible issue. While Green Bay has Woodson back there, the rest of the secondary does seem to have health issues and I can see this being a problem again this season.
If you put it all together, it's not a crazy idea to think that New Orleans can repeat. They're stacked from top to bottom and don't have any truly glaring weakness right now. The offense looks to be in sync, the defense is flying to the ball, and they look just as hungry as they did last year.
While they won't be sneaking up on teams, I don't think they'll need to. They have enough firepower to make all the noise they want and it's going to be hell to try and stop them.
Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com
Playcalling Makes Eagles’ Red Zone Offense Inefficient
Between the 20-yard lines, passing is fairly simple in the NFL.
The rules have been tailored so the offense can move the ball through the air almost at will, and create more red zone opportunities which, based on the howling success of the NFL's "Red Zone" channel, is what most fans want to see.
And for a passing team like the Eagles, they wind up in the red zone quite often. However, what they don't do often enough is actually wind up in the end zone.
You know, the only "zone" that really counts when it's all said and done.
The lack of red-zone trips actually ending in touchdowns isn't a new problem. It was largely blamed on Donovan McNabb during his time in Philadelphia but, then again, what wasn't?
He just wasn't accurate enough to get the ball where it needed to be on a shortened field and once Andy Reid finally dumped him and got a more accurate pocket passer, the problem would be solved.
But here we are, no McNabb, and a guy in Kevin Kolb who is supposed to be a truly accurate pocket passer, but the problem persists.
Before we go too much further, this isn't even about another McNabb vs. Kolb debate.
Most anyone who has read my work before knows how I feel about McNabb and, frankly, are probably sick of hearing it.
I get it.
What this is really about is the play-callin...something else I've been screaming about for as long as I can remember.Reid's pass-first mentality is great for moving the ball down the field. However, the problem is it only takes the offense so far.
Once they get into the red zone (where passing becomes much more difficult on a condensed playing area), the offensive machine suddenly sputters and dies, leaving it up to kicker David Akers to save the drive.
So, if passing becomes more difficult, it would stand to reason that an offense should go to the ground in an attempt to put six points on the board.
But, because of Reid's aforementioned affinity for passing the ball, that doesn't work either.
His backs usually aren't big enough to move a pile when it counts, and his linemen are so used to going backward to pass-protect that their run-blocking suffers.
It all goes back to balance. If Reid would mix the run with the pass at an acceptable rate, his team would be able to do it more efficiently.
And even if the run isn't exactly working between the 20s, the threat of the attempt to run in the red zone will bring the linebackers just a bit closer to the line of scrimmage.
The closer they come, the more space the quarterback and receivers have, and the easier it becomes to put the ball in the endz one through the air.
Then, once the pass starts working in the red zone and those linebackers take a couple steps back to help the corners and safeties, a couple quick runs up the gut should be enough to get the job done and get the offense into the end zone.
But this is what Reid has never seemed to comprehend. Everyone can talk about how the NFL has changed and turned into a passing league and how teams can win without running the ball until they're blue in the face, but the fact of the matter is it's just not true.
Were that the case, Mike Martz would be talked about as a Hall of Fame head coach because he'd have so many Lombardi trophies on his mantle they might rename it after him.
And, following right behind him in second place, would be Andy Reid.
But the reason these guys don't have any rings as head coaches is because a team still has to run the ball effectively if they're to win the only game that counts.
Even the New Orleans Saints, a pass-first team, recognized that and made sure to mix in the run.
For all the great things Drew Brees did for them last season, it was the threat of the run from Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush, and Mike Bell and the offensive line that kept defenses on their toes and allowed the Saints' offense to move the ball at will.
Without at least the threat of the run in the back of the defense's collective head, a pass-first team cannot and will not win a Super Bowl.
With McNabb gone and the very same problems still creeping up for this offense, it's time to look at the common denominator and blame Reid's Madden 2011-style play-calling.
Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com
Reggie Bush: Will The Bush vs. USC Feud Derail the Saints This Season?
Reggie Bush and the USC Trojans are attacking each other in the media and it does not seem to be going away anytime soon. The question is will this affect the Saints as they make a run to try and repeat this year?
The Top Ten online sportsbooks have posted the Saints odds to win the Super bowl at 9 to 1 and Bet Mania has a win total over/under set at 10.5. These odds can change along the way if Reggie Bush or the Saints are distracted.
The Super bowl is something that the Saints can come close to achieving but they don’t need distractions along the way.
In the first preseason game of the year, Bush ran for 17 yards on five carries to include scoring a touchdown. From the way he looked in the preseason game, it would be easy to deduct that the off field feud with USC is not bothering Bush or the Saints.
However Bush has already commented on the situation on more than one occasion. One constant theme he keeps repeating is how bad the situation is and how much it bothers him.
In late July after discovering the allegations and the penalties that were being put on the football program at USC, Bush had this to say. “This thing, regarding USC and the NCAA, is the closest thing to death without dying because I have such a great love and respect for the university,” Bush said. “This has been one the toughest things I’ve had to deal with in my life.”
Ten days later, Bush proclaimed that he would focus on football, but was still bothered by the way that USC has separated Bush from the university.
“I think I’d be lying if I said it didn’t,” Bush said. “Obviously, it does, but at the end of the day it is what it is. All I can really do now is focus on the New Orleans Saints and just try to move on. It bothers me and it sucks. The whole situation is terrible and nobody feels worse about it than I do.
Recently Reggie Bush called Southern California athletic director Pat Haden and Haden told USA today that Bush never apologized. “Never did he say I’m sorry or I apologize,” Haden told the L.A. Times. “Never did he say, ‘I lied to the NCAA or I took stuff.’”
This story is not going away and it may be an issue for a long time to come. Regardless of what he has said publicly, it is obvious this affects Reggie Bush. It is not yet obvious if it will affect his game play, but if it does the Saints could suffer as a team.
Other Articles on the Saints and USC
New Orleans Saints 2010 Preview
Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com
New Orleans Saints honored by President Obama for Super Bowl title
Six Months On: Smoke, Saints, and Saigon
The dust and memories of Angkor Wat were still fresh in my mind as I woke up that morning just as the sun was rising.
It had been a tense night after a long trip into neighboring Cambodia. The butterflies had invited their friends and kept at me almost the whole night.
The sound of the alarm on my phone was a blessing because it meant that the time was now. So I rose quickly, washed up, dressed, and hit the still fresh feeling streets when most people were just getting up.
I enjoyed the calm breezes that passed me and the dapple of the dewdrops as I made my way down one of the largest streets in the city.
Finally I saw the sign, "Phatty's" on the corner of Ton Duc Thang and Ton Duc Thanh.
I walked into the bar and even at 6:00 A.M, it was filled with sound, smoke, and a scarcity of Saints' fans.
I sought out the other faithful, here, in Saigon, literally halfway across the world from home in New Orleans.
We nervously watched as a son of New Orleans was leading the Colts to a lead that most thought would crush the soul of the city.
And in an instant, it all changed. The coach decided that initiative goes only to those that take it and the roller coaster of feelings began.
Every pass, every stop, and every call made me teeter on the brink of celebration and sorrow.
And just as Coach had taken the initiative earlier, a little known cornerback from Louisiana took it for the ages. Mere minutes later, the teetering was done, and I roared simply for celebration.
So six months I still think of that smokey bar in Saigon, and six months on I still feel like celebrating.
Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com
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Reggie Bush: 10 Image Rehab Ideas After USC and Kim Kardashian Debacle
2010 New Orleans Saints Preview: Who Dat Say Repeating Ain’t Easy?
2009 Recap: The New Orleans Saints were the feel good story of the 2009 NFL season. They won 13 games and captured the NFC South title. With an electrifying offense and an opportunistic defense, they scampered through the playoffs and brought the first Super Bowl title ever to the city of New Orleans.
Now the challenge to repeat as champions begins.
BetMania has released the 2010 odds on the New Orleans Saints to win the NFC South, the NFC, and Superbowl XLV. Here are the most current odds.
Saints Odds to win Superbowl XLV: +1100
Saints Odds to win the NFC: +470
Saints Odds to win the NFC South: -175
Draft: The Saints deserve high praise for their draft picks considering they drafted 32nd overall.
Most notable was the first round selection of cornerback Patrick Robinson out of Florida State. He is a quick reacting ball hawk that will play in packages immediately and enhance the Saints' ability to cover one-on-one.
The selection of tight end Jimmy Graham out of Miami is a work in progress, considering he only played football in his senior year. He has amazing athleticism allowing him to fit right into the passing game and become a big target.
Offseason Key Moves
Overall, the Saints had a successful offseason. They had several players that could have left as free agents, but the front office made sure to keep many of the key parts that led to a championship.
New Orleans lost defensive end Charles Grant to free agency, but proved that they could win without him when he missed several games due to injury. The team picked up Alex Brown after the Bears cut him. He will be a quick pass rusher that should take over where Grant left off.
The key to the Saints' offseason was bringing back free safety Darren Sharper. He is a veteran leader on and off the field for the Saints defense. He is as important to the defense as quarterback Drew Brees is to the offense.
Offense
The Saints had one of the best offenses in football led by one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
Brees put up astounding numbers last year on his way to winning a Super Bowl championship and seemingly every award under the sun. He is the undisputed leader of this team and is a precise pocket passer that can perform under pressure. He makes other players step up to another level and gets everyone involved on offense.
The wide receivers are not household names, but in this offense have all flourished. Marques Colston is becoming a solid go-to-guy, and posted another season of 1,000 yard campain in 2009. Devery Henderson has breakaway speed and is the best New Orleans receiver at running after the catch. Finally, Robert Meachem gives the Saints the deep threat they need to keep the underneath routes open.
The passing game is the staple of this offense and it makes up for a running game that needs to improve. Reggie Bush is a human highlight film on special teams and when he catches passes in the flats, but as a running back he struggles. Pierre Thomas is the dependable back for the Saints and will have to carry the load. As usual, the Saints will look to pass to set up the run.
Sean Payton is an offensive mastermind and with Brees at the helm, the offense will be dangerous again in 2010.
Defense
The other side of the ball is powered by a scoring defense that was first in scoring touchdowns off of turnovers and second in takeaways.
The main reason for all of the turnovers was an explosive and quick reacting secondary. They bolstered the backfield with the draft and by re-signing Sharper. Defensive coordinator Greg Williams is all set in the secondary, but has his work cut out for him in other areas.
Grant is gone and although he was hurt, he was still a force to be dealt with on the line. Will Smith needs a compliment and the Saints brought in Brown and hope to get help from draft picks. Someone will need to step up if the Saints want to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Scott Fujita left in free agency, but he is not the answer to some of the issues the Saints have at linebacker. Jonathan Vilma is a bright spot, but he can’t do it alone. The Saints linebackers are not very quick and have trouble tackling in the open field. They respond well to the blitz schemes that Williams implements, but they were the reason that the defense surrendered so many yards.
If the defense can’t pressure the quarterback the secondary will be vulnerable to a balanced offensive team. The Saints defense will be hard pressed to repeat the turnover performance from a year ago and this will be the Achilles' heel of this team.
Schedule Breakdown with Projected Results
Week 1 vs. Minnesota (Loss)
Week 2 @ San Francisco (Loss)
Week 3 vs. Atlanta (Win)
Week 4 vs. Carolina (Win)
Week 5 @ Arizona (Win)
Week 6 @ Tampa Bay (Win)
Week 7 vs. Cleveland (Win)
Week 8 vs. Pittsburgh (Win)
Week 9 @ Carolina (Loss)
Week 10 Bye
Week 11 vs. Seattle (Win)
Week 12 @ Dallas (Loss)
Week 13 @ Cincinnati (Win)
Week 14 vs. St. Louis (Win)
Week 15 @ Baltimore (Loss)
Week 16 @ Atlanta (Loss)
Week 17 vs. Tampa Bay (Win)
Circle Your Calendar
This game could decide the NFC South division. The Saints are off to what is sure to be a very physical game against the Ravens. They have to travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in front of a very loud and raucous Monday night football crowd. This sets up as a loss for the Saints.
Play Against: Saints on the road in Atlanta in week 16.
2010 Final Prediction
The Saints will be a top notch team once again in 2010.
The burden of being defending champions will be hard to handle. Every team they face will raise their level of play when the Saints come to town. This could lead to some unsuspecting losses on a competitive schedule.
Williams will need to find a pass rusher on the front line and try to reproduce the successful scoring defense from a year ago. The Falcons provide some stiff competition for the crown in the South and the Saints will fall short of a division title. They will still make the playoffs and anything can happen when this team is on the field in the post season.
2010 Projected Record: 10-6 Second in NFC South
Best Bet: New Orleans Under 10.5 Wins for the 2010 NFL Season
More NFL 2010 Previews:
Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com
2010 New Orleans Saints Preview: Who Dat Say Repeating Ain’t Easy?
2009 Recap: The New Orleans Saints were the feel good story of the 2009 NFL season. They won 13 games and captured the NFC South title. With an electrifying offense and an opportunistic defense, they scampered through the playoffs and brought the first Super Bowl title ever to the city of New Orleans.
Now the challenge to repeat as champions begins.
BetMania has released the 2010 odds on the New Orleans Saints to win the NFC South, the NFC, and Superbowl XLV. Here are the most current odds.
Saints Odds to win Superbowl XLV: +1100
Saints Odds to win the NFC: +470
Saints Odds to win the NFC South: -175
Draft: The Saints deserve high praise for their draft picks considering they drafted 32nd overall.
Most notable was the first round selection of cornerback Patrick Robinson out of Florida State. He is a quick reacting ball hawk that will play in packages immediately and enhance the Saints' ability to cover one-on-one.
The selection of tight end Jimmy Graham out of Miami is a work in progress, considering he only played football in his senior year. He has amazing athleticism allowing him to fit right into the passing game and become a big target.
Offseason Key Moves
Overall, the Saints had a successful offseason. They had several players that could have left as free agents, but the front office made sure to keep many of the key parts that led to a championship.
New Orleans lost defensive end Charles Grant to free agency, but proved that they could win without him when he missed several games due to injury. The team picked up Alex Brown after the Bears cut him. He will be a quick pass rusher that should take over where Grant left off.
The key to the Saints' offseason was bringing back free safety Darren Sharper. He is a veteran leader on and off the field for the Saints defense. He is as important to the defense as quarterback Drew Brees is to the offense.
Offense
The Saints had one of the best offenses in football led by one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
Brees put up astounding numbers last year on his way to winning a Super Bowl championship and seemingly every award under the sun. He is the undisputed leader of this team and is a precise pocket passer that can perform under pressure. He makes other players step up to another level and gets everyone involved on offense.
The wide receivers are not household names, but in this offense have all flourished. Marques Colston is becoming a solid go-to-guy, and posted another season of 1,000 yard campain in 2009. Devery Henderson has breakaway speed and is the best New Orleans receiver at running after the catch. Finally, Robert Meachem gives the Saints the deep threat they need to keep the underneath routes open.
The passing game is the staple of this offense and it makes up for a running game that needs to improve. Reggie Bush is a human highlight film on special teams and when he catches passes in the flats, but as a running back he struggles. Pierre Thomas is the dependable back for the Saints and will have to carry the load. As usual, the Saints will look to pass to set up the run.
Sean Payton is an offensive mastermind and with Brees at the helm, the offense will be dangerous again in 2010.
Defense
The other side of the ball is powered by a scoring defense that was first in scoring touchdowns off of turnovers and second in takeaways.
The main reason for all of the turnovers was an explosive and quick reacting secondary. They bolstered the backfield with the draft and by re-signing Sharper. Defensive coordinator Greg Williams is all set in the secondary, but has his work cut out for him in other areas.
Grant is gone and although he was hurt, he was still a force to be dealt with on the line. Will Smith needs a compliment and the Saints brought in Brown and hope to get help from draft picks. Someone will need to step up if the Saints want to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Scott Fujita left in free agency, but he is not the answer to some of the issues the Saints have at linebacker. Jonathan Vilma is a bright spot, but he can’t do it alone. The Saints linebackers are not very quick and have trouble tackling in the open field. They respond well to the blitz schemes that Williams implements, but they were the reason that the defense surrendered so many yards.
If the defense can’t pressure the quarterback the secondary will be vulnerable to a balanced offensive team. The Saints defense will be hard pressed to repeat the turnover performance from a year ago and this will be the Achilles' heel of this team.
Schedule Breakdown with Projected Results
Week 1 vs. Minnesota (Loss)
Week 2 @ San Francisco (Loss)
Week 3 vs. Atlanta (Win)
Week 4 vs. Carolina (Win)
Week 5 @ Arizona (Win)
Week 6 @ Tampa Bay (Win)
Week 7 vs. Cleveland (Win)
Week 8 vs. Pittsburgh (Win)
Week 9 @ Carolina (Loss)
Week 10 Bye
Week 11 vs. Seattle (Win)
Week 12 @ Dallas (Loss)
Week 13 @ Cincinnati (Win)
Week 14 vs. St. Louis (Win)
Week 15 @ Baltimore (Loss)
Week 16 @ Atlanta (Loss)
Week 17 vs. Tampa Bay (Win)
Circle Your Calendar
This game could decide the NFC South division. The Saints are off to what is sure to be a very physical game against the Ravens. They have to travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in front of a very loud and raucous Monday night football crowd. This sets up as a loss for the Saints.
Play Against: Saints on the road in Atlanta in week 16.
2010 Final Prediction
The Saints will be a top notch team once again in 2010.
The burden of being defending champions will be hard to handle. Every team they face will raise their level of play when the Saints come to town. This could lead to some unsuspecting losses on a competitive schedule.
Williams will need to find a pass rusher on the front line and try to reproduce the successful scoring defense from a year ago. The Falcons provide some stiff competition for the crown in the South and the Saints will fall short of a division title. They will still make the playoffs and anything can happen when this team is on the field in the post season.
2010 Projected Record: 10-6 Second in NFC South
Best Bet: New Orleans Under 10.5 Wins for the 2010 NFL Season
More NFL 2010 Previews:
Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com
2011 Super Bowl Odds: NFL Training Camp Edition
We're getting closer and closer to the NFL season. Are you excited yet? I know I am.
With training camp on the horizon, and teams rounding out their rosters, many of us are thinking one thing: who's going to win Super Bowl XLV?
Some people are high on Mark Sanchez and the Jets, who took the playoffs by storm last season and nearly got to the big game.
Others like the Patriots, with Tom Brady and Randy Moss both playing for contracts.
And you can't count out the Vikings either, who were oh-so-close to getting there last season.
Look, I'm not a psychic, but I'm pretty close. Click below to check out every team's odds to bring home the coveted Lombardi trophy.
Odds To Win Superbowl XLV: Favorites To Hoist Lombardi Trophy in 2010
The NFL is almost set for kickoff and teams are preparing for a run at the coveted Lombardi Trophy. Last year the New Orleans Saints surprised the football world by winning the Superbowl, and again this year the championship is up for grabs and any team can win it all.
BETUS has released the odds on every team to win Superbowl XLV in 2011. Although there are odds listed for every team there are certain teams that are more likely to win than others. Bet on Football now and get a $250 early bird bonus .
Here is a look at the odds for the front-runners to win Superbowl XLV, and the reasons why they could win it all.
Indianapolis Colts
Odds to win Superbowl XLV: 8 to 1
Peyton Manning is the league’s four-time MVP and when he is on your team, there is always a chance of winning a Super Bowl ring. He is arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL and last year he was one interception away from winning his second Super Bowl. This year he is back with a very talented team that is determined to return to the championship game.
Mark my words: The Colts will be in the mix for another ring this season.
San Diego Chargers
Odds to win Superbowl XLV: 8 to 1
The Chargers won the AFC West and made the playoffs, but were upset by the New York Jets in the divisional round. It is amazing to note that the Chargers are a mainstay in the NFL playoffs all the while carrying the stigma that they cannot win the Super Bowl. Norv Turner and Phillip Rivers will have to get at least one ring if they hope to shake that reputation. In the offseason they released LaDainian Tomlinson, but San Diego should still have one of the better offenses in the league.
The window to win a championship on this Charger team is closing quickly and if they don’t win a Superbowl soon it could be shut for a very long time.
New Orleans Saints
Odds to win Superbowl XLV: 9 to 1
The Saints shocked the football world last year by bringing a championship to New Orleans. Drew Brees led one of the most explosive offenses in football and he is back to try it again. With the exception of linebacker Scott Fujita, the Saints return all the major players from the championship team.
This Saints will be hard to beat, but this year everyone will be gunning to knock off the defending Super Bowl champions. In this day and age it is just too hard to repeat.
Dallas Cowboys
Odds to win Superbowl XLV: 10 to 1
This year the city of Dallas will host Superbowl XLV and nothing would make them happier than if the Cowboys were playing in it. Jerry Jones has assembled a team that is very capable of winning the Superbowl. The Cowboys offense improved in the off season when they drafted superstar wideout Dez Bryant out of Oklahoma State. Along with the combination of Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice in the backfield the Cowboys possess one of the best offensive teams in the entire NFL.
If the defense can shut down some of those powerful NFC offenses, the Cowboys could be playing for a ring in January at home.
New York Jets
Odds to win Superbowl XLV: 12-1
The Jets surprised all of the experts last year, making a late run and vaulting into the playoffs. With a rookie quarterback, strong running game, and tough defense, the Jets came up one victory short of a Superbowl appearance. With several improvements in the off season, the Jets appear poised to make another run at the championship game, although not everyone is buying into the hype. Rex Ryan is a players' coach and will run a tough defense capable of making it back to the big game.
Mark Sanchez is armed with playoff experience and new weapons in LaDainian Tomlinson and Santonio Holmes, and that could make them the team to beat in the NFL.
The NFL is gearing up for another exciting season and it will be interesting to see if a front runner wins it all or another surprise team wins a ring this January.
Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com
Drew Brees Book: Chicken Soup For The BP Fatigued Soul
COMING BACK STRONGER, by Drew Brees with Chris Fabry. (TyndaleHouse, $26.99.) The N.F.L. quarterback recovered from an injury to play for the New Orleans Saints.
At least a thousand adoring fans begin cheering as Drew Brees rises up the elevator at Borders on St. Charles Avenue to autograph copies of his new book "Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity" which debuted at #3 on the New York Times Bestseller list this week.
This is Brees' third book signing of the day but he says with a smile not to worry, his right arm, the one he uses to unleash those lethal touchdown passes, is holding up just fine
This place used to be a funeral home but the only people who looked distressed are the frazzled staff as this event has temporarily disrupted the norm of the place: a quiet atmosphere to peruse a book or two while sipping a cup of Seattle's Best.
The crowds at the book signings come as no surprise as Brees and Saints fans have always mixed like a cool glass of Tanqueray and Tonic served up at Pat O'Briens on Bourbon Street on those steamy New Orleans Summer nights.
In a city still recovering from Hurricane Katrina and a nasty oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, just call "Coming Back Stronger", Chicken Soup for the BP fatigued soul.
It is loaded with an inspiration at a time when people have never needed it more.
From the moment the doctor snipped the umbilical cord, Drew Brees has had to battle adversity and search for the hidden power contained within it.
His first challege in life was overcoming the pain of his parent's divorce as a young boy growing up in Austin, Texas.
"Reid (Drew's brother) and I spent many nights awake long after-lights out, hoping and praying that our parents would get back together. We cried ourselves to sleep a lot during that time."
Brees had the lineage of a future star.
His mother Mina was a Texas all-state athlete in three sports and his uncle, Marty Akins, was an All-American quarterback at the University of Texas. Akins led Texas to a 1973 Cotton Bowl victory over an Alabama team coached by Bear Bryant.
Brees felt lost in the shuffle in his early days at Westlake High School in Austin and his passion was for baseball not football. He told his mother, "Mom, I think I might want to quit football...because I don't feel I'm ever going to get an opportunity to play."
Mina Brees "didn't freak out" says Brees but told her son, "...you don't have to play. But remember this: when you least expect it, that opportunity will present itself. You never know when it's going to come, but all it takes is one play."
When Johnny Rodgers, a QB with a higher-profile and better family connections than Drew, went down with a torn ACL, Mina's advice to her son turned prophetic and Brees got his shot.
However, Brees would have to stare down adversity again. He led the JV team to a 10-0 record and then, the following season, tore is own ACL after leading the Westlake varsity team deep into the playoffs.
"The ACL injury was a defining moment in my life," says Brees in Coming Back Stronger . "I made a decision not to let something negative control my emotion....the injury stirred me up inside, and I was filled with questions: Do I have a purpose? Is there a reason I'm on this earth? Do I have a destiny, or is everything just chance?"
Brees made the choice to come back stronger in what would be a recurring theme in years to come. He led Westlake to a 16-0 season and the first state championship in the history of the school.
Austin, Texas was a happy town but college football's major powers didn't seem to take notice. His hometown Texas Longhorns had other plans and Drew was only recruited by "a few Ivy League schools, along with Purdue and Kentucky."
This kid from Austin always seemed to be the perennial underdog, always having to overcome the odds.
Drew Brees chose Purdue of the Big Ten.
"By the way, where's Purdue?" It's in Indiana, Drew.
By his sophomore year, he was the starter but after an ill-advised interception against Notre Dame resulted in a loss, Brees began to question his own ability.
"Do I belong here? Can I compete at this level?
Once again he discovered his inner resolve to persevere through adversity.
In his senior year, Brees would lead Purdue to the 2000 Rose Bowl with a 64 yard TD pass in the final seconds to beat Ohio State. Purdue didn't go to Rose Bowls. Just never happened. No way. No how. That is until Mr. Brees came along.
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19 Football-Related ESPY Nominations
Coming up on Wednesday, July 14th at 9PM ET is the annual sports award ceremony, the ESPY Awards on ESPN. This year, the broadcast is going to be hosted by Saturday Night Live star and three-time winner of the Golden Seth Fantasy Football Championship, Seth Meyers.
So the football fan knows what they can expect, and who to vote for, we have put together a little list here of the football related nominees…
Best Male Athlete
Drew Brees
Best Championship Performance
Drew Brees
Best Breakout Athlete
Chris Johnson
Best Record-Breaking Performance
Brett Favre
Best Team
Alabama, New Orleans Saints
Best Moment
Saints Super Bowl win
Performance Under Pressure
Brett Favre going back to Green Bay
Best Movie
Big Fan, The Blind Side
Best Coach
Sean Payton, Nick Saban
Best NFL Player
Drew Brees, Brett Favre, Chris Johnson, Peyton Manning, Darrell Revis, Charles Woodson
Best Male College Athlete
Mark Ingram
Considering that ESPN has a whole page dedicated for you to keep tabs on Tim Tebow, it’s hard to believe he wasn’t nominated for the above award.
You can still get your vote on HERE !
Hear Seth Myers talk fantasy football on Fantasy Football Focus on ESPN.
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Sean Payton’s Firecracker Approach Tipping Point in 2006
It's well before sunrise, October of 2006, and you're driving your black Mercedes S550 down the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway with Sports Illustrated' s Michael Silver in the passenger seat and Kenny Chesney blasting from the stereo.
It is the most relaxing moment you will have all day as you turn your attention to transforming the star-crossed New Orleans Saints into a Super Bowl contender.
You tell Silver that instead of focusing on the team's forgettable past or on post-Katrina woes, you prefer to focus on chemistry and discipline in this rebuilding job of yours.
Afterall, that's the way your mentor Parcells always did it.
You were quietly doing the best coaching job of 2006 until you rocked the Philadelphia Eagles world, 27-24, in the Superdome; now you're 5-1 and the whole damned world is watching and this guy from Sports Illustrated wants to know who you are and what makes you tick.
Your outside linebacker Scott Fujita tells SI after the Eagles win, "Everybody was talking about this as a 'respect game,' a 'statement' game for us. Being able to win it, especially the way we did, is a real confidence booster, and that comes back to Coach Payton."
Four year later, the non-descript Fujita would be one of the cornerstones in winning you a Super Bowl.
The entire country picked Philly to kick your ass that day in 2006, but as a former NFC East assistant coach, you had beaten them nine times and you told your team on the Wednesday before the game, "Follow my formula, and we'll win the game."
You've always been a master at developing a plan. It's been a trademark of yours for four years. You probably told Tom Benson and Mickey Loomis in your interview for the job, "I know what needs to be done and I know how to do it."
You ran a hard ass training camp that first year in 2006. You pressed all the right buttons. One of the veterans told SI that you were just pissing on your turf, establishing yourself as the leader from the beginning.
You stressed teamwork over individual accomplishment. You showed the players tape of the 2004 U.S. Olympic basketball team. You said, "Look at these coaches. Look at these players. This is one of the greatest collections of talent ever assembled. But they didn't win. They weren't the best team."
You made some bold and fiery statements back in those days.
You told SI 's Silver, "You have to look at why they've only won one playoff game in 40 years. There's a reason. We're in a place where, within 10 minutes, you can get a daiquiri, sit at a blackjack table, and go to a strip club–and you can do it at four in the morning. If you've got the kind of people who are susceptible to that, they'll find trouble. So yeah, character's important. New England showed us the model the past years."
That was some hot talk. Just like the Gospel of Luke or something.
"Jesus said, 'I came to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ignited.'" I think that's how it goes, but never trust a Catholic quoting scripture.
So much like the way Bill Walsh did in San Francisco , you set about flipping the culture back in those days. No Michael Vicks. No T.O.'s.
You built with average Joes who possessed high character, a strong work ethic, and a knack for making major contributions on the field. You built an offensive line that surrendered zero sacks to the Eagles that day in 2006, and you built it around a talented fourth-round right guard named Jahri Evans.
You picked a wide receiver from Hofstra late in the seventh round named Marcus Colston, and he was so damned good that you parted company with former first-rounder Donte Stallworth.
In that 2006 game against Philly, Colston caught a TD pass from Drew Brees to give you a 17-3 lead over those Eagles. McNabb rallied Philadelphia with three straight touchdowns but Brees clapped his hands and told the guys, "We're all right. We'll be fine."
Ah Brees. A freakin' Nostradamus.
It's four years later. All those experts in the national media are saying you may have done the best coaching job in Super Bowl history.
You are Sean Payton, King of a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans .
And life just doesn't get any better than this.
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Brett Favre wants to beat the New Orleans Saints
NFC South Dynasty Capsule: New Orleans Saints
Geaux Saints!
The NFL has seen its share of amazing stories through the years. None may have captivated a country more than the New Orleans Saints post-Katrina run to a Super Bowl title. Anchored by an explosive offense full of dynamic players, this ex-doormat is now an elite franchise in fantasy and reality. The people of New Orleans certainly deserved something to cheer for and the Saints are coming pretty close to knocking off the Cowboys as “America’s Team.”
So, what does the future hold for this offensive juggernaut from a fantasy perspective? There’s a lot to love here and many of these players will likely win you some dough in your dynasty leagues for years to come. Let’s geaux take a look in today’s dynasty capsule.
Players in their Prime
Drew Brees QB
Brees is one of the true elite signal callers in both the NFL and in fantasy football. Owning Brees gives you a chance to win each every week. He should still have quite a few years of elite fantasy production left in him and outside of Aaron Rodgers, there’s no better choice at QB. Having Brees gives you a chance to win three or four titles in a row. His owners will take a repeat of 4,388 yards and 34 TDs any year.
Marques Colston WR
Colston may be the biggest driving factor behind these articles. He’s certainly one of the greatest waiver wire pickups of all-time and we constantly talk about finding the next “Colston” as we attempt to uncover those sleepers. As the premier WR in this explosive offense, he’s a good bet for 1,000 yards or more every season and should hover around 10 TDs every year for the foreseeable future. There’s a lot to like in having him as your No. 1 WR, although I’d rather have him as an elite No. 2.
Devery Henderson WR
Henderson will likely never hit it as big as many of us had hoped. He’s serviceable as a spot starter for a team. His 51 catches, 804-yard season is about as much as you could hope for. If you’re sitting around and hoping for him to explode, you’re likely in for some disappointment. He is what he is, but still sits in the prime of his career.
Rising Players
Pierre Thomas RB
Many fantasy owners wanted more from Thomas than the 793 yards and 6 TDs he produced last year, and justifiably so. I believe they’re going to get it this year. With Mike Bell out of the mix and Reggie Bush not a big part of the conventional running game, the stars are now finally aligned for Thomas to maximize his potential. He’s a buy-low candidate in dynasty circles right now.
Robert Meachem WR
Outside of Thomas, there may not have been a more frustrating Saint to own over the past couple of years. His talent is undeniable, but so is his inconsistency. Most fantasy owners would be content with 722 yards and 9 TDs from their No. 3 or No. 4 WR, but Meachem has the ability to produce much more. I’d love to have him in all my fantasy teams as a No. 3 or No. 4 WR with upside.
Players with Falling Values
Reggie Bush RB
Those waiting for Reggie Bush to emerge as a No. 1 RB are few and far between now. Everyone needs to accept him for what he is – a dynamic punt returner and 3rd down RB. Thomas is clearly the workhorse in for New Orleans and Bush was hardly used in a few games last year. He needs to be 100% healthy to contribute and hopefully he’ll get back to being a decent weapon, but I’m not holding my breath for greatness any longer.
Jeremy Shockey TE
Outside of Vernon Davis, there haven’t been too many TEs who have generated the buzz that Shockey did coming out of college. Most fantasy owners recall him mowing down defenders in one of his first preseason games and salivating over his potential. Unfortunately, injuries have decimated what could have been a very productive career. He’s not going to reach elite TE status again.
Sleepers
Jimmy Graham TE
It looks like the Saints are prepared to replace one Hurricane TE with another. Graham is a bit raw for sure, but he landed in a great spot. With Shockey’s injury history, Graham could be useful sooner rather than later.
Lance Moore WR
Novice dynasty league owners may have forgotten about Moore, but we certainly haven’t. He was actually Drew Brees’ favorite target a couple of years ago. Last season was lost due to injury. Don’t be surprised if he re-emerges to challenge the other WRs for serious playing time.
Super Sleepers
Lynell Hamilton RB
If Thomas struggles at all with an increased workload, it’s likely going to be Hamilton, not Reggie Bush, who is the beneficiary. Keep an eye on the L-train, for sure. If there is an injury to Thomas, he could be the steal of the year. If I’m a Thomas owner, I’m a Hamilton owner.
Summary
The Saints put on an offensive show each and every week. With Drew Brees at the helm, every member of the offense has a chance for production. This is a team to keep close tabs on as players seem to emerge, fall, then re-emerge on a consistent basis. There are certainly no signs of slowing down in New Orleans as they attempt to set up another Super Bowl title. That ties a nice little bow on the NFC South dynasty capsules, we’ll be covering the NFC East next.
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New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton breaks down the third quarter of the Super Bowl
New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton breaks down the first quarter of the Super Bowl
2009 New Orleans Saints awarded Super Bowl rings
In an unreservedly delicious moment, the 2009 New Orleans Saints gathered as a team for perhaps the last time Wednesday night, walking the red carpet to the Roosevelt Hotel and heading inside for a private ceremony to receive Super Bowl XLIV championship rings.
The Tiffany pieces, glittering with diamonds and yellow gold, were remarkably valuable in and of themselves -- no one would offer a precise appraisal, although some estimates ran to $30,000 a pop -- but quarterback Drew Brees said they were more priceless than a Faberge egg.
"It symbolizes not just this year, but the culmination of four years of ups and downs," Brees said. "A lot of work and a lot of struggle, but we found a way to become world champions -- and it was never about just one person or even just the team. It was about our city and the community."
South Florida Host Committee Chair: ‘Fix Was in for New York’
South Florida Super Bowl host committee chairman Rodney Barreto is, like my boy Dan Graziano, quite upset with the outcome of the 2014 Super Bowl selection process.
Unlike Dan though, Barreto isn't upset that the weather and locals might harm the Super Bowl -- he thinks the NFL fixed the process to guarantee that the Big Apple would land the Big Game:
"The fix was in for New York. We threw $1 million extra on the table last night for game-day expenses. We could have put $10 million and it wouldn't have made a difference. We put an incredible presentation that clearly was head-and-shoulders above everyone.''This is a pretty strong stance for someone who's had a Super Bowl in his territory fourteen times since 1977 (not counting Jacksonville's lone appearance in 2005, either); obviously South Florida has wonderful weather.
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