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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

JoanieNTX

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!

Life is too short to be miserable....make changes while you can!

SaintPauly

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

darstep

...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.

Choupique

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...

Choupique

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.

Dasidreidia

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."

SaintPauly

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.

NOpride

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

Papa Voodoo

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