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New Orleans Saints deserve more respect

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; New Orleans Saints deserve more respect: Jeff Duncan By Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Would someone please tell me why the Indianapolis Colts are favored in Super Bowl XLIV? And not just favored, but favored by a ...

 
 
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Old 02-01-2010, 08:58 AM   #1
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New Orleans Saints deserve more respect

New Orleans Saints deserve more respect: Jeff Duncan
By Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Would someone please tell me why the Indianapolis Colts are favored in Super Bowl XLIV?


And not just favored, but favored by a decisive 5 ½ points, according to the Vegas sharpies.
Am I missing something here?
Am I too close to this story?
I think the New Orleans Saints should be favored in this game. At worst, it's a pick 'em.
I respect the Colts enormously. I think Peyton Manning is best player in the NFL. Heck, he might be the best player in NFL history.
But I can't find any reason, other than experience, as to why the Colts should be a decided favorite Sunday.
I know the Colts are a couple of giveaway games away from shooting for 19-0. But they've been far from dominant and have feasted on one of the most user-friendly schedules in recent Super Bowl history.
Yet, everyone seemingly is riding the Colts.
I picked up a copy of Pro Football Weekly's Super Bowl preview section at the media workroom Sunday. Not one of their 10 staff members picked the Saints to beat the Colts. Three of them thought the Saints could manage to cover the spread, but even more - four - though the Colts would win by double digits.
I don't see it.
The Saints played a more formidable schedule and competed in a superior conference to the Colts this season.
I realize the AFC had a 37-27 record in intra-conference play this season but there clearly were more elite teams in the NFC. Seven teams won 11 or more games this season. Five of them played in the NFC. The Chargers were the only AFC team other than the Colts with 11 or more wins and the Colts never played them.
In fact, the Colts played only two opponents that won 10 or more games this season. The Saints played five and beat four of them.
Obviously, the Colts have a decided edge in experience. They won this game only three years ago. They're playing on the same field, practicing at the same site and staying at the same hotel as they did before beating the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI. Nineteen players on their current roster played or attended that game.
The Saints, meanwhile, are new to this Super Bowl business. And recent history has not shined favorably on Super Bowl debutantes.
Since 1990, franchises making their debuts in the big game are 2-7. The last three Super Bow newbies - the Cardinals, Seahawks, Panthers - all lost.
"That's a definite advantage for them," said Saints fullback Heath Evans, one of five Saints to have played in a Super Bowl. "We'll have to try to overcome it."
But I have to give the intangibles to the Saints. This is a determined team. Quarterback Drew Brees and Coach Sean Payton live for situations like this. Even though they've been favored in every game except the bogus finale at Carolina, they thrive in the underdog role. They haven't been there often, especially this season, but when doubted they are particularly salty.
From the top down, they are largely a collection of castoffs, misfits and miscreants.
Their best rusher is an undrafted free agent. Their best receiver is a seventh-round draft pick. Their best blocker is a second-day pick from Bloomsburg.
Even their marquee names bear scarlet letters.
Darren Sharper is a Pro Bowler this season but no one really wanted him at this time a year ago. He signed with the Saints for relative chump change.
Drew Brees was cast adrift by the San Diego Chargers four years ago. Only Miami and New Orleans competed for his services in free agency.
"I think that's what's helped us be successful, too, because everyone's kind of had a chip on their shoulder," Brees said earlier this season. "For one reason or the other, whether it's a seventh-round draft pick or rookie free agent or one team let 'em go for whatever reason and now they're in New Orleans. So we all kind of have a similar story, something that's motivated us or something that's driven them."
They'll find plenty to motivate them here before the week is over, starting with the point spread.

New Orleans Saints deserve more respect: Jeff Duncan | New Orleans Saints Central - - NOLA.com
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