NO EASY TASK BEATING WARNER, FAVRE & MANNING

RailBoss · 02-18-2010, 12:31 PM

Williams' defense led attitude change
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Mike Triplett

The Saints set the tone for their 2009 season less than two weeks after last season ended.

After missing the playoffs the past two years, the Saints weren't going to sit back and let it happen again. So Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis decided to fire defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs, whom they liked and respected, and they aggressively pursued the best defensive mind on the market, Gregg Williams.

The story has been told hundreds of times now, how Payton was so eager to land Williams that he offered to kick in $250,000 of his own salary to seal the deal. Though the Saints repaid Payton that money, it spoke volumes about how determined the coach was to win at all costs this season.
The entire team went into this season with that mentality, knowing they were better than the team that finished 7-9 and 8-8 the past two seasons, and knowing those seasons were wasted opportunities.

They adopted the "Finish Strong" mantra, and every week they played like a team that wasn't going to let a single game get away from them. Payton's aggressive mentality was just as evident on the field, especially in the Super Bowl when he called for an onside kick that will go down in history.

And Williams was the perfect fit. The fiery motivator and brilliant strategist changed the attitude and performance of a defense that went from holding the team back to leading the postseason charge.

They were spectacular all season, ranking second in the NFL with 39 takeaways. Then they were even better in the playoffs, shutting down Kurt Warner, beating up Brett Favre and stunning Peyton Manning along the way.

It was fitting that the Saints sealed their first Super Bowl victory with cornerback Tracy Porter's interception return for a touchdown. Although quarterback Drew Brees was the game's MVP, and rightfully so, he clearly didn't do it alone.

. . . . . . .

Choupique · 02-18-2010, 02:14 PM

Don't forget they shellacked Tom Brady, and the Patty's as well.

Jets made it to the playoffs. Saints beat them too.

And on, and on.

Who dat, indeed.

exile · 02-18-2010, 02:18 PM

IMHO and without the fan kool-aid. I think this was one of the most impressive runs to a Super Bowl win in history. Anyone disagree name another team who had to overcome such playoff caliber QBs.

Rugby Saint II · 02-18-2010, 02:25 PM

Actually it was an easy task. IMHO At least it looked easy.

breesfan27 · 02-18-2010, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

Actually it was an easy task. IMHO At least it looked easy.

I agree. I thought it was gonna be much more difficult task to beat such high caliber QBs like Favre and Manning. Well, beating Favre was no cake walk, but at least we weren't down 21 points before we beat him. It was neck and neck game the whole way. The Super Bowl actually turned out a lot different than I predicted. I thought for sure we'd be down more than 10. I was shocked Porter picked off Manning so easily. And the onside kick... well that speaks for itself!

niteadept · 02-19-2010, 12:28 AM

Knew we had the best QB in the NFL and now everyone else needs to come to terms with it as well. Brees, Payton and Williams know what it takes to motivate and it was just a matter of time before the best was pulled from every player! Repeat next year! Didn't I see "Two Dat" somewhere? Oh yea, my bootleg shirt Choupique!

falconhater · 02-22-2010, 01:43 PM

Who Dat, Two Dat. We Dat Dare I say Tre' Dat

subguy · 02-22-2010, 02:05 PM

Yep some pretty impressive victories leading up to and including the SB.

QBREES9 · 02-22-2010, 05:21 PM

All Super Bowl winning Quaterbacks, as well as Hall of Famers. The Saints are World Champions !!!!

Srgt. Hulka · 02-22-2010, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by QBREES9

The Saints are World Champions !!!!

It just doesn't get old, does it?

02-18-2010, 12:31 PM	#1
RailBoss 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Of The Mason Dixon Line Posts: 7,113	NO EASY TASK BEATING WARNER, FAVRE & MANNING Williams' defense led attitude change Sunday, February 14, 2010 Mike Triplett The Saints set the tone for their 2009 season less than two weeks after last season ended. After missing the playoffs the past two years, the Saints weren't going to sit back and let it happen again. So Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis decided to fire defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs, whom they liked and respected, and they aggressively pursued the best defensive mind on the market, Gregg Williams. The story has been told hundreds of times now, how Payton was so eager to land Williams that he offered to kick in $250,000 of his own salary to seal the deal. Though the Saints repaid Payton that money, it spoke volumes about how determined the coach was to win at all costs this season. The entire team went into this season with that mentality, knowing they were better than the team that finished 7-9 and 8-8 the past two seasons, and knowing those seasons were wasted opportunities. They adopted the "Finish Strong" mantra, and every week they played like a team that wasn't going to let a single game get away from them. Payton's aggressive mentality was just as evident on the field, especially in the Super Bowl when he called for an onside kick that will go down in history. And Williams was the perfect fit. The fiery motivator and brilliant strategist changed the attitude and performance of a defense that went from holding the team back to leading the postseason charge. They were spectacular all season, ranking second in the NFL with 39 takeaways. Then they were even better in the playoffs, shutting down Kurt Warner, beating up Brett Favre and stunning Peyton Manning along the way. It was fitting that the Saints sealed their first Super Bowl victory with cornerback Tracy Porter's interception return for a touchdown. Although quarterback Drew Brees was the game's MVP, and rightfully so, he clearly didn't do it alone. . . . . . . .

02-18-2010, 02:14 PM	#2
Choupique 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,594	Re: NO EASY TASK BEATING WARNER, FAVRE & MANNING Don't forget they shellacked Tom Brady, and the Patty's as well. Jets made it to the playoffs. Saints beat them too. And on, and on. Who dat, indeed.
Choupique 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,594

02-18-2010, 02:18 PM	#3
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608	Re: NO EASY TASK BEATING WARNER, FAVRE & MANNING IMHO and without the fan kool-aid. I think this was one of the most impressive runs to a Super Bowl win in history. Anyone disagree name another team who had to overcome such playoff caliber QBs.
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608

02-18-2010, 02:25 PM	#4
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	Re: NO EASY TASK BEATING WARNER, FAVRE & MANNING Actually it was an easy task. IMHO At least it looked easy.

02-18-2010, 05:33 PM	#5
breesfan27 Mrs. Drew Brees Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The Who Dat Nation (by way of South Dakota) Posts: 2,276 Blog Entries: 1	Re: NO EASY TASK BEATING WARNER, FAVRE & MANNING Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II Actually it was an easy task. IMHO At least it looked easy. I agree. I thought it was gonna be much more difficult task to beat such high caliber QBs like Favre and Manning. Well, beating Favre was no cake walk, but at least we weren't down 21 points before we beat him. It was neck and neck game the whole way. The Super Bowl actually turned out a lot different than I predicted. I thought for sure we'd be down more than 10. I was shocked Porter picked off Manning so easily. And the onside kick... well that speaks for itself!

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02-19-2010, 12:28 AM	#6
niteadept Site Donor Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 520 Blog Entries: 1	Re: NO EASY TASK BEATING WARNER, FAVRE & MANNING Knew we had the best QB in the NFL and now everyone else needs to come to terms with it as well. Brees, Payton and Williams know what it takes to motivate and it was just a matter of time before the best was pulled from every player! Repeat next year! Didn't I see "Two Dat" somewhere? Oh yea, my bootleg shirt Choupique!

02-22-2010, 01:43 PM	#7
falconhater 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 257	Re: NO EASY TASK BEATING WARNER, FAVRE & MANNING Who Dat, Two Dat. We Dat Dare I say Tre' Dat
falconhater 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 257

02-22-2010, 02:05 PM	#8
subguy 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: FL Posts: 2,095	Re: NO EASY TASK BEATING WARNER, FAVRE & MANNING Yep some pretty impressive victories leading up to and including the SB.

02-22-2010, 05:21 PM	#9
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	Re: NO EASY TASK BEATING WARNER, FAVRE & MANNING All Super Bowl winning Quaterbacks, as well as Hall of Famers. The Saints are World Champions !!!!

02-22-2010, 06:17 PM	#10
Srgt. Hulka 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 4,417	Re: NO EASY TASK BEATING WARNER, FAVRE & MANNING Originally Posted by QBREES9 The Saints are World Champions !!!! It just doesn't get old, does it?