NOLAmite

FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - NFL Truths: Colts won't start strong

-10. The Saints are my Super Bowl pick

Yep, I spent all last year trashing the New Orleans Saints. I thought they were overhyped because of their return to hurricane-ravaged New Orleans. I wasn't sold on Drew Brees recovering from the shoulder injury that ended his San Diego career.

Well, I love the Saints this year. I love Brees. I love Deuce and Reggie. I like their receiving corps, even though they let go of Joe Horn prematurely. I love their defensive ends, Will Smith and Charles Grant. And I like their secondary.

More than anything else, I like the Saints' underrated offensive line. The unit is aggressive and physical. Jammal, Jamar, Jeff, Jahri and Jon — the J-5's last names are Brown, Nesbit, Faine, Evans and Stinchcomb — will put Deuce and Reggie in this season's Pro Bowl.

The J-5 will destroy the Colts tonight. I'm getting out front on the New Orleans bandwagon. After tonight, everyone will love the Saints. I don't expect them to have any problems getting the best of the defending Super Bowl champions inside the RCA Dome.

Indy's defense simply isn't ready for New Orleans' offense. Remember, it took Tony Dungy all regular season to get his defense to play at a respectable level last year. No way are the Colts ready for Brees and Co., in Week 1. Plus, I don't like rookie left tackle Tony Ugoh — Tarik Glenn's replacement — in a debut against New Orleans' defensive ends. Peyton Manning is going to be hearing footsteps all night.

Euphoria

Well this isn't truths just yet... Friday morning lets hope they are. I think everyone is just so hyped about the game that some hasn't realize other truths/prediction.

1. Colts hang the Super Bowl banner that night... they are going to be fired up.

2. Manning, doesn't throw many int.'s and has great games vs Saints. We play more man to man and Manning will eat that up.

3. Colts always come start strong at the begining of the season. The whole theory about offense start slow is hog-wash. The Saints will look good on O as well as the Colts.

4. Manning.

WhoDat205

Despite my urges otherwise when Brown got hurt in preseason. Glenn's retirement is a big deal. I wouldn't want a rookie left tackle protecting my all-world QB's backside in his first NFL game. Add in the fact that Will Smith is on the other side of the ball and that makes for a long day. That means Utecht or Clark have to stay in more and Manning is short a weapon.

Since I can't work at all, here's a breakdown:

NO Secondary vs. Indy Receivers - Harrison, Wayne, Manning...that's enough to give the colts an edge over anyone. It'll be a long day for The Predator and Co. I think Manning really goes after David. I'm interested to see how Roman Harper plays with the versatile Dallas Clark. Big Edge: Indy

NO LBs vs. Indy RBs - It's all on Addai. He's gotten a lot of hype in the offseason and the potent passing attack will help to free him up, but it still remains to be seen if he can carry the load for a full game. The Saints linebackers are athletic but may be overachievers. Slight Edge: Indy

NO D-Line vs. Indy O-Line - Jeff Saturday's great and all, but he's going to have his hands full with a strong, deep DT rotation from the Saints. Tony Ugoh, the second rounder out of Arkansas, looks to have an unfriendly welcome to the NFL as he's matched up against Pro Bowl DE Will Smith. The Colts will have to keep TEs or RBs in to block a lot tonight in hopes of slowing down the speed rusher. Oh, and Charles Grant is no slouch himself. Edge - New Orleans

Indy Secondary vs. Saints WRs - Henderson and Colston both made splashes last year and Indy's CBs are as inexpirienced as they are talented. This match up really gets lop-sided when you throw in Brees and perpetual wild card Reggie Bush, who's sure to have played a big part in Bob Sanders' dreams this week. Big Edge - New Orleans

Indy LBs vs. Saints RBs - Deuce, Karney, Reggie...nuff said. Huge Edge - New Orleans

Indy D-Line vs. Saints O-Line - Booger Mcfarland's injury hurts the Colts. Freeney just signed a big contract and has a lot to live up to, especially going up agains Pro Bowl LT Jamal Brown. And don't forget the rest of the J-Crew. Some of these guys probably feel snubbed by PB voters and will be out to prove the doubters wrong. Edge - New Orleans

Special Teams - The Saints get the edge in the return and coverage game, but the Colts have Mr. Automatic, Adam Vinatieri. Mare missed three in the last preseason game, let's hope that didn't dent his confidence. Slight Edge - Colts

6:19 and counting...

"defence's personal to allwats double team or watch is over, that one reason why the saints or not any good." - Vador101

hagan714

nice write up WhoDat205

fhotard

Great write-up WhoDat!!

saintsfan1203

And the winner is.....

NOLAmite

Black and Gold up 28-14 @ haltime... win the game in the final seconds 34-32 on a blocked field goal attempt...

Oh, wait...

Euphoria

Time to eat some crow fellas.

cadilacin

Couldn't have said it better.