New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Guerry Smith Jon Stinchcomb Question and Answer

Offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time after helping the Saints shatter a franchise record with 510 points this season. He wants no part of playing in the game, however, because it would mean New Orleans failed to reach the Super Bowl.

This Monday, he talked about the Saints’ slump at the end of the regular season, the importance of holding on to the No. 1 seed and the irrelevance of whether the Saints were considered an underdog or a favorite entering the playoffs.

Editors note: How did the misguided notion that everyone in the world is doubting the Saints gain traction? New Orleans is the favorite to get to the Super Bowl out of the NFC according to the Las Vegas oddsmakers, who try to reflect the opinion of the betting public.

I’m sure you’ve heard the stat about no team ever reaching the Super Bowl after losing its last three games of the regular season. Does that concern you?

“I don’t know about all those stats. We’re going to be judged on how we perform in these playoffs. If we have a strong performance in the playoffs, these last three games will be just a blip on the radar screen. If we don’t play well, it’s going to be talked about until next season. We all understand that, but I don’t think that’s shake the confidence of this team. For 13 weeks we found a number of ways to win, and the last three we’ve been shown what mistakes can get us beat.”

But getting the W against Carolina really wasn’t what Sunday was all about, right? It was just a matter of trying to stay healthy and get fresh.

“You can write that, but the way this locker room feels, it doesn’t matter what personnel is out there. We play to win. We’re not just playing to play.”

How big a deal is it getting the No. 1 seed?

“The one seed is a huge advantage. It was one of our team goals from the jump. There are four teams that are going to be fighting tooth and nail to get to that game two weeks from now, so it’s a major advantage for us to be able to heal up and just get our focus back.”

Here’s another stat. Did you know the last two NFC teams with No. 1 seeds have lost their first playoff game, although it had not happened for a long time before then?

“Debbie Downer! The one seed is a huge advantage for two reasons. First and foremost we get this week to heal up and recharge our batteries. You get two weeks to prepare instead of just one. The second is you’ve got to come to the Superdome, and we all know what a tough place that is for an opponent to come in and play in. That’s a major advantage for us also.”

Traditionally, this franchise has done better in an underdog role. Are you better off kind of coming in as the underdog?

“Throughout the year we’ve been either the team that was picked or the underdog, and we’ve been able to answer the call for most of those. That’s pretty much outside perspective looking in on us, and I don’t think it really affects our approach during the workweek or how we go into a game.”

How would you compare this team to the one in 2006, which was the media darling of the nation?

“The feel for this year is completely different than the 06 year. I like where this team’s at. I like the core group of guys. Just being in the system as long as most of us have been, that’s a huge advantage over 2006.”

LINKBACK: Stinchcomb Q and A