Saints are marching into storybook

tiggerpolice · 10-18-2006, 11:42 AM

Saints are marching into storybook statusBy Charean Williams
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

The New Orleans Saints had no chance this season. None at all.

Yet, here they sit, off to their best start since 2002, with a 5-1 record that leads Carolina, Tampa Bay and Atlanta in the NFC South. How in the world?

"It was the work we put in the off-season," Saints defensive end Charles Grant told reporters after Sunday's game. "A lot of people are going to doubt us, but the work we put in and the guys that we had in training camp and the way that we went through training camp, I think this football team is going above and beyond what a lot of people think we can."

This isn't supposed to happen in the NFL. Kurt Warner's rise from a stocker at a grocery store to league MVP and Super Bowl MVP is where storybook tales are supposed to begin and end.

But the Saints are writing their own storybook season.

"We have an opportunity to do something really special," running back Deuce McAllister told TheTimes-Picayune.

No one is doubting them now. Yes, there is a long way to go, but the Saints have the look of a NFC contender. (It's safe to say that statement hasn't been uttered much in the Saints' previous 39 seasons.)

They can run the ball. McAllister, who missed the final 11 games of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, is averaging 4.9 yards a carry.

They can pass the ball. Drew Brees, who tore the labrum in his right shoulder in the final game of last season, is fourth in the NFL with 1,509 passing yards. He has a 92.8 passer rating with eight touchdowns and four interceptions.

They can protect the passer. The Eagles entered Sunday's game leading the NFL with 23 sacks, including seven of Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe their previous game. The Saints allowed none in the 27-24 victory as Brees was hardly hit and rarely hurried.

They can make big plays. Rookie Reggie Bush has 641 all-purpose yards, including a 65-yard punt return in the fourth quarter that gave the Saints a victory over the Bucs two weeks ago.

They are better at stopping the run. They ranked 27th against the run last season, allowing 134.1 yards per game. They're 21st now, giving up 119.7 yards per game.

They force turnovers. The Saints have forced eight turnovers, giving them a zero turnover margin. Last season, they were minus-24.

So it isn't with smoke and mirrors, or New Orleans voodoo, that the Saints are winning. It's with talent and coaching, hard work and believing in the improbable.

"I think we're kind of finding our identity as a team," Bush told reporters after Sunday's game. "We're finding out who we are and what kind of team we are. We are showing people how much fun we have and what these guys are all about on this team."

New Orleans deserves this, for however long it lasts.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/15778737.htm

10-18-2006, 11:42 AM	#1
tiggerpolice 500th Post Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: new orleans Posts: 584	Saints are marching into storybook Saints are marching into storybook statusBy Charean Williams Star-Telegram Staff Writer The New Orleans Saints had no chance this season. None at all. Yet, here they sit, off to their best start since 2002, with a 5-1 record that leads Carolina, Tampa Bay and Atlanta in the NFC South. How in the world? "It was the work we put in the off-season," Saints defensive end Charles Grant told reporters after Sunday's game. "A lot of people are going to doubt us, but the work we put in and the guys that we had in training camp and the way that we went through training camp, I think this football team is going above and beyond what a lot of people think we can." This isn't supposed to happen in the NFL. Kurt Warner's rise from a stocker at a grocery store to league MVP and Super Bowl MVP is where storybook tales are supposed to begin and end. But the Saints are writing their own storybook season. "We have an opportunity to do something really special," running back Deuce McAllister told TheTimes-Picayune. No one is doubting them now. Yes, there is a long way to go, but the Saints have the look of a NFC contender. (It's safe to say that statement hasn't been uttered much in the Saints' previous 39 seasons.) They can run the ball. McAllister, who missed the final 11 games of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, is averaging 4.9 yards a carry. They can pass the ball. Drew Brees, who tore the labrum in his right shoulder in the final game of last season, is fourth in the NFL with 1,509 passing yards. He has a 92.8 passer rating with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. They can protect the passer. The Eagles entered Sunday's game leading the NFL with 23 sacks, including seven of Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe their previous game. The Saints allowed none in the 27-24 victory as Brees was hardly hit and rarely hurried. They can make big plays. Rookie Reggie Bush has 641 all-purpose yards, including a 65-yard punt return in the fourth quarter that gave the Saints a victory over the Bucs two weeks ago. They are better at stopping the run. They ranked 27th against the run last season, allowing 134.1 yards per game. They're 21st now, giving up 119.7 yards per game. They force turnovers. The Saints have forced eight turnovers, giving them a zero turnover margin. Last season, they were minus-24. So it isn't with smoke and mirrors, or New Orleans voodoo, that the Saints are winning. It's with talent and coaching, hard work and believing in the improbable. "I think we're kind of finding our identity as a team," Bush told reporters after Sunday's game. "We're finding out who we are and what kind of team we are. We are showing people how much fun we have and what these guys are all about on this team." New Orleans deserves this, for however long it lasts. http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/15778737.htm