Why the Road to Super Bowl XLIX Runs Through New Orleans
 

However , in what now is this current “Golden Age” of New Orleans Saints football, the recollections have indeed become much more memorable; and the upcoming 2014 season promises to be one of them. Through some very shrewd offseason moves in free-agency (the signing of prized veteran free-agent All-Pro free safety Jairus Byrd paired with the addition of long-time annual Pro-Bowl veteran CB Champ Bailey), along with a very underrated 2014 Draft class (besides the All-American WR Brandin Cooks, they added three potential defensive starters for the future in CB Stanley Jean-Baptitse, ILB Khairi Fortt, and OLB Ronald Powell), the franchise seems to have suddenly regained its “swagger” after the disappointing ending to last season at Seattle.

The Saints “reloaded” what had been a roster that had looked to some (including myself) as having regressed just a bit – in spite of last year’s successful return from the previous year’s indignity of Bountygate. In my eyes, it not only has restored their position as one of the NFC’s top teams, but it makes them one of the prohibitive favorites to win it all. Yes, I am saying it, and unequivocally so: the Road to Super Bowl XLIX runs through New Orleans – and here’s a few reasons why I think that is so.


http://whodatdish.com/2014/07/14/why...m_medium=email

Re: Why the Road to Super Bowl XLIX Runs Through New Orleans
 

o-line, kicker, run and return game

those are the 4 areas with the ? marks going in

if we can run out the clock without being predictable the close games are ours

if these are solid our chances look great

Re: Why the Road to Super Bowl XLIX Runs Through New Orleans
 

Brees Payton

Re: Why the Road to Super Bowl XLIX Runs Through New Orleans
 

The other 30 teams should ask the Eagles about the Saints running out the clock and being predictable!

Re: Why the Road to Super Bowl XLIX Runs Through New Orleans
 

I'm confused; how is kicker a question mark? Graham can handle well enough and if Dimke beats him out than so be it...

Re: Why the Road to Super Bowl XLIX Runs Through New Orleans
 

I'm loving the upgrades we made, but as we all know right now everything is on paper and on paper Seattle and San Fran can argue they're just as good if not better, and Philly and Green Bay can argue they're close enough talent wise.

We are certainly in the mix for best of 2014, but I'd be hesitant to claim it "runs thru New Orleans".

He's right that we're set up to be a top contender in that "elite team" category, but several others teams are at that doorstep as well.

I do like his reasoning's so what the hell...

OK... it runs thru New Orleans dammit!!!!

Re: Why the Road to Super Bowl XLIX Runs Through New Orleans
 

Another thing that irritated me...

"The Saints struggled mightily at times to win on the road (3-5) last year"

Really? Struggled mightily?

First off, 3-5 is not what I'd call "struggling mightily"

And If not for a blatantly blown call in New England we'd have finished 4-4 on the road, which is hardly struggling mightily.

Its like saying Brees "struggles mightily" against good defenses.

Re: Why the Road to Super Bowl XLIX Runs Through New Orleans
 

2 of those losses AT Seattle

Re: Why the Road to Super Bowl XLIX Runs Through New Orleans
 

and the Super Bowl this year is right there on I-10 so it kinda does.

just saying...