Saints face Colts in "what might have been" opener

hagan714 · 09-06-2007, 11:27 AM

Saints face Colts in "what might have been" opener
Posted 21h 7m ago
By Dave Goldberg, AP Football Writer

If not for a misstep in Chicago, the New Orleans Saints might have played Indianapolis in the Super Bowl last February. Instead, they get the "consolation prize," going to Indy on Thursday night for the season opener against the champions.
It's also a reverse homecoming for Peyton Manning, who grew up in New Orleans, where his father played for the Saints. Manning still has a soft spot in his heart for both his hometown and the team for which he rooted as a boy.
But not too soft this week in what figures to be a royal shootout with Drew Brees. The over-under is a whopping 52 points, with the Colts favored by six.
One reason for the big number is an Indianapolis defense that's never been the team's strong point and goes into the season missing four starters from last season: two cornerbacks and linebacker Cato June, all gone as free agents, and run-stuffer Anthony McFarland, out for the season with a knee injury. That means Reggie Bush and his Saints cohorts could turn this into a track meet.
The Colts' defenders think otherwise

"We're playing fast and playing smart, and I think we're a lot farther along right now than we were this time last year," middle linebacker Gary Brackett say. "We built some confidence last season in the playoffs, so we wanted to get some things established during the preseason, and I think we did that."
Maybe.
And maybe Manning will be OK with rookie Tony Ugoh at left tackle in place of the retired Tarik Glenn, and no running back with an NFL carry behind Joseph Addai.
The Saints enter the season with the burden of expectations. Last year, coming off a 3-13 season and an exile forced by Hurricane Katrina, they were the NFL's feel-good story. Now, a lot of folks, especially in New Orleans, expect them to go all the way.
Not here.
COLTS, 37-36
Saints face Colts in what might have been opener - USATODAY.com

DeadmaN · 09-06-2007, 11:36 AM

well I can say this…
the colts will be no easy team
I’m sure we can take them if we control the game and don’t make mistakes
But even if we do that it’s going to be an up hill climb right from the start

Just because they are down a few players does not make them any less of a threat

09-06-2007, 11:27 AM	#1
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Saints face Colts in "what might have been" opener Saints face Colts in "what might have been" opener Posted 21h 7m ago By Dave Goldberg, AP Football Writer If not for a misstep in Chicago, the New Orleans Saints might have played Indianapolis in the Super Bowl last February. Instead, they get the "consolation prize," going to Indy on Thursday night for the season opener against the champions. It's also a reverse homecoming for Peyton Manning, who grew up in New Orleans, where his father played for the Saints. Manning still has a soft spot in his heart for both his hometown and the team for which he rooted as a boy. But not too soft this week in what figures to be a royal shootout with Drew Brees. The over-under is a whopping 52 points, with the Colts favored by six. One reason for the big number is an Indianapolis defense that's never been the team's strong point and goes into the season missing four starters from last season: two cornerbacks and linebacker Cato June, all gone as free agents, and run-stuffer Anthony McFarland, out for the season with a knee injury. That means Reggie Bush and his Saints cohorts could turn this into a track meet. The Colts' defenders think otherwise "We're playing fast and playing smart, and I think we're a lot farther along right now than we were this time last year," middle linebacker Gary Brackett say. "We built some confidence last season in the playoffs, so we wanted to get some things established during the preseason, and I think we did that." Maybe. And maybe Manning will be OK with rookie Tony Ugoh at left tackle in place of the retired Tarik Glenn, and no running back with an NFL carry behind Joseph Addai. The Saints enter the season with the burden of expectations. Last year, coming off a 3-13 season and an exile forced by Hurricane Katrina, they were the NFL's feel-good story. Now, a lot of folks, especially in New Orleans, expect them to go all the way. Not here. COLTS, 37-36 Saints face Colts in what might have been opener - USATODAY.com
	"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

09-06-2007, 11:36 AM	#2
DeadmaN Saints Junky Join Date: May 2007 Location: Metairie Originally now a Houston transplant Posts: 672	Re: Saints face Colts in "what might have been" opener well I can say this… the colts will be no easy team I’m sure we can take them if we control the game and don’t make mistakes But even if we do that it’s going to be an up hill climb right from the start Just because they are down a few players does not make them any less of a threat

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