New Orleans Saints can start working toward their next Super Bowl
 

The New Orleans Saints didn't get back to the Super Bowl 2011, but they did get "closure."

And some would suggest that's a valuable consolation prize.

"That whole feeling of being a champion lasts until the next season is over," said former New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, whose team burst onto the scene in 2001 with a surprise Super Bowl run, then missed the playoffs the next year before resuming its dynasty.

"With the Saints losing to Seattle, with us not making the playoffs (in 2002), it finally gives you closure. Now it's, 'OK, someone else is going to deal with this next year,'" said Bruschi, who works as an analyst for ESPN. "You almost need that losing experience to move on to the next year."

As much as the Saints tried to start fresh in 2010 and put their Super Bowl championship season behind them, it was a futile exercise.

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I completely agree with this take, which is not to say I wasn't humbled and frustrated by the fact that we didn't make it back to the big dance, but in a way I can understand what Bruschi is saying when he says you 'almost need that losing experience'.

I cannot wait for next year because I fully expect to contend, only this time without the distractions and the baggage of being 'defending champions'. We 'gon rock 'da house next year baby!

absolutly agree SF