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

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

I know how you feel about this subject, but I think we'll be ok. I was listening to a piece about Drew, and it seems he's always been the underdog. And we KNOW where this has gotten him. To the Superbowl! It's not fair, and it seems petty and hateful on the part of the media, but we don't need their blessings. Our team can do just fine with OUR support, and let the media "bless" all the other teams. And their goofball guesses as to who is going to win are just that....guesses. It all depends on who shows up on gameday. Remember, Scott Brown was the underdog in Massachussetts (sp) not too very long ago! ;)

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

If we want respect, we only have to do one thing. Win the superbowl. It's that easy.... :)

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

...and that's the only way. If we don't win, we'll have to keep hearing it and learn how to put up with the "I told you so"s. Winning will solve it all. It doesn't even matter if other teams' fans think they have a better team - especially when we have the trophy.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

I'm not one who has ever been worried about the respect of a society that eats at McDonalds and listens to pop in between television shows.

The respect of whom? Some nitwit talking head on the boob tube?

Maybe it is just my perspective but who gives a nutria's (_!_) what they think.

The players have each others respect, is my guess. Not much else matters.

Well, even tho he ain't in the playoffs... maybe not T.O. but you get the drift.

Just say neaux to Dolts...

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

I do know this much as fact.

Pants on the ground. Warner. Favre.
Past tense pants on the ground! Done that. Been there.


NEXT!

Who Dat?

Manning needs to have his pants on the ground.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Actually, I'm betting we still won't get respect if we do win. Instead of "They can't get to the Super Bowl," it'll be "It's only one Super Bowl."

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Well Das, I don't know how you feel about it, but that's membership to a club I can certainly deal with!

One superbowl to us, will be treated like ten to anyone else. Not to mention, I think us fans will appreciate it more, than other team's fans.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Yeah even if we win the bowl, its gonna be the same old story

IE us hitting Peyton to much or making people fumble they will make it sound cheap alot of people are bad sports so what GO SAINTS

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

I remember the media being all up the Patriots rear end before the Giants whooped 'em.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Brees has faced 3 Super Bowl Winning QB's this year. Brady...Beaten, Warner...humilated, Favre......Smacked around. Number 4 Manning.... We'll see, but i'm betting Drew makes it 4-0, With a little help from his friends. Geaux Saints!!!!!!!!!!

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

remember that papa no way in hell the giants beat the pats. and the pats still never woke up. its going to be a q.b.s battle. we need drew and company to play lights out on there suspect backfield.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Jake Taylor: [Jake stands up] Well then I guess there's only one thing left to do.
Roger Dorn: What's that?
Jake Taylor: Win the whole fugging thing.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Let's go win it all and shut them up!

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Real simple, the Colts are undefeated this season in games where the starters played the entire game. The Colts defeated the top ranked D's in football, the Colts have the MVP, the Colts Defense shut down the top running backs in pro football this season.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Peyton has defeated 13 NFL teams this season and lost to no one. So Drew is going to need more then a "little help".

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

I'm pretty sure the Saints are too, and we won most of the ones the starters didn't play, which was about half of em. Real simple... ;)

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Amen! I see the Indy fans are still "smack-talking!" They should be thanking the city of New Orleans for helping produce their little QB instead of dreaming up ways that "he's gonna beat us!" :bng:

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/2/applause.gif
Well said, Joanie!

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Did we forget Dallas and Tampa Bay?

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

LOL! Tampa Bay?????!!! Not too sure our coach really cared about that game, big 'un! Dallas......I would not have minded playing them instead of the Vikes, myself. I know we could have taken them! Romo holds the ball too long. ;)

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Why in God's green earth, are all these Colts fans talking about us playing "other" teams. I don't get it. We've moved on, why is everyone else so interested in our past? Our past has NOTHING to do with this game Sunday. NOTHING.

Have you guys ever heard of "adjustments", we made those, for the play offs. So I certainly HOPE that you base your gameplan on those games we lost in December. Because if you do, then I KNOW WE WILL WIN SUNDAY.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Because they are living in the past, and we're not? Man, your guess is as good as mine, SaintPaul25!

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Adjustments? If you made so many adjustments how did you just barley beat the Vikings? The Colts were down to the Jets 17-6, made adjustments and didn't give up any more points and scored 24, that is making adjustments.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Indy.... I don't care what you say, anymore. You are mad that the Vikings lost. It is so transparent in every post you have made. I honestly don't believe that you are even a Colts fan. Every reference you have made, on any of these discussions, is about the Vikings.

The Vikings were the number 2 seed in the play offs. Arizona was number 3. Baltimore was number 4, and New York was number 5. So I will say that we played better teams than you guys did in the play offs, and you guys have had it easy up until now. Apparently "stats" don't lie.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Against a Rookie QB and against a team that lost it's starting RB? Keep right on living in the past sir.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

No what gets me is how "Saint Fan" thinks they dominated the Vikings and won the game on their own merits. You played a great game, but if you play that same way against my Colts you won't have a chance. We don't fumble, we don't make mental mistakes, our QB isn't closing in on the senior menu at Denny's, our defense is the quickest in the NFL. The Saints are "happy" to be there, the Colts won't be happy till they win. That is a huge difference.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Your right, but yet their No. 1 ranked D did how against the Colts after given a 17- 6 lead and going in at half up 17-13?

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

At no point, have you seen me say that we dominated anybody. I reallize that in Indiana all us Saints fans look alike, but that doesn't mean that we are the same person. Your over confidence is going to be your undoing. You can compare all you want to games that happened damn near a month ago, but those games have nothing to do with this Sunday.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

thats cause we played the 2nd best team in the nfl, not the nfc. you guys would get STOMPED by that same viking team we beat last week!

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

At what point did I say the Colts would dominate the game? In fact I have said I see the Saints putting up 28 points and my question is can the Saints D keep the Colts to less then that?

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

This Vikings team that got stompped by the Cardinals AND the Bears AND the Panthers? Really, the second best team in the NFL? Well since the Colts are the best team in the NFL, where does that leave the Saints?

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

I said that? Really? I said we "dominated the Vikings"?

Unless you can show me where I said that I think I'll just have to pass you off as an idiot. I give your team all the credit in the world, but I'm not taking anything away from the Saints for style points either. You'd be wise to do that same fella...

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

ha ha ha ha ha ha , where you at indy2019 i've been trying to bark that all day at you. thanks saintpaul

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

look, moron. i was calling us the best and the vikings the second best in the nfl. that must leave you 3rd. duh!

do you really think what happened in the regular season means anything? as the 2007 giants and patriots if the regular season has ANY bearing on the post-season.

the saints are playing better than anyone right now. the vikings, who just barely lost to us, were playing a close second. that leaves the colts sucking our nfc nuts.

hey indy4192...BEAT IT GEEK!

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Dude your barking up the wrong tree..nobody here gives a **** what team the Colts beat...Just let it rest..i bet after this sunday you dont even come back to eat your crow..Fans of other teams we beat.. never do..Im not going to argue with you...whats the point,, You aint going to be that field no more than me...so head back over to ColtsFreak with your own kind..your really not that wanted here..Were in the superbowl..we dont need anybody tellin us we dont deserve to be there...

Adios

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

DUDE! You said that you were tired of Saints fans, saying that they "dominated" the Vikings. That's what you said. I responded, "I never said we dominated anybody." Do you read what you post before you post it?

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

The Saint dominated the Vikings in the takeaway category. Hands down.

You'd have to be stupid to argue othewise.

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Because their beloved Payton has done well for them in stupid commercials. That's what it's all about. ESPN doesn't have a raving man crush on Brees like they do with Manning and Farve.

YOU GUYS HAVE ONE MORE PARTY TO CRASH!!!

Re: New Orleans Saints deserve more respect
 

Sorry a loss to TB automatically eliminates you from consideration as being the best team in the NFL. As for the Vikings, losses to the Bears and Panthers removes them from consideration from No. 2. When your A team can't beat the Bucs or Bears or Panthers, you can't claim greatness. The Colts A team has loss to no one....thus we are the No. 1 ranked team in the NFL as of right now.