The Myth of “Ambush”
 

I see his point.

According to America, the most memorable play in Saints history is “Ambush,” the onsides kick Sean Payton called to open the second half of Super Bowl XLIV. A February 8, 2010 headline from NJ.com, the New Jersey Star-Ledger website, sums up how “Ambush” is popularly viewed: “Saints’ successful onsides kick shocks Colts, changes momentum of Super Bowl.” This popular view explains why America voted the way it did.

It’s also wrong.

It’s wrong because the Saints had taken over whatever we mean when we talk about momentum well before the onsides kick ever happened. In fact, from the start of the Saints’ first scoring drive, which began with 36 seconds left in the first quarter, through the end of the first half, the Saints outgained the Colts 157 yards to 15. They scored a field goal, had a long drive end on downs at the Colts’ one yard line, and then scored another field goal. Meanwhile, the Colts punted.

The Myth of "Ambush" | B&G

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

I gotta be honest, I feel like the onside kick got WAYYYY too much credit for the Saints's victory as well. To me it was more of just a "big moment" (not too different from Lance Moore's great catch for the 2 point conversion).

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

Yes, the momentum swing started with the drive that ended up short of the end zone. Mike Bell slipped, then we went on 4th down and PT got stuffed (IIRC). Had the Colts pinned back deep in their territory, held them inside there and because of that wound up with good field position when they punted deep in their own territory. Drew and the offense did their typical 2-minute thing and got 3 points before the half.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

Got to say though I just re watched that game last night on dvr, but that AMBUSH just seemed to demoralize that colts team completely plus it kept manning warming the bench for much longer than he anticipated.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

I have always wondered how much differently that game would have played out if Bell had scored.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

Totally wrong call for best play ever. Not even second best. Typical of the general public who know nothing.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

I think if Bell scored we still would have kicked the "Ambush".

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

Isn't it about the most memorable play? If it is, then it is for me and I will tell you why; For me, it was the culmination of an amazing year full of great things (I got married on All Saints Day and we jokingly said 'wouldn't it be funny if the Saints got us the Lombardi as a wedding present')and as it was The Superbowl, which we watched in Broussard's on Conti so was the most memorable time, and as it was so unexpected it really sticks out so that's why I view it as such. So, was it the BEST play? Probably not but the most memorable? Hmm...still contentious as all these kinds of polls are but a contender nonetheless. And ChrisXVI, to say the general public know nothing is a little unfair.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

I agree with those saying that the onside kick play has been a tad bit overrated. In fact, I wasn't even aware that anyone voted it the most memorable play in team history, until just now.

How can Tracy Porter's interception return against Manning not be the most memorable play? It was far more dramatic and exciting, and, oh yeah, it clinched the freaking Superbowl for us!

Garret Hartley's kick that put us in the Superbowl in the first place was more memorable than the onside kick. Don't get me wrong, it was a good play and I was pumped just like anyone would be. But after all is said and done, that play doesn't stand out a whole lot for me.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

I don't agree that ambush was overrated at all

The colts offense was moving the ball easily against us in the first half, fair enough they were settling for field goals but we didn't score one TD in the first half

Our offense got in sync late in the first half but settled for two field goals, ambush not only demoralised the colts but kept our offense in sync by putting them straight back out on the field

If the colts recover that they are at our 30 yard line, ballsiest call by a coach and in no way overrated in my opinion

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

Name another coach in Superbowl history to pull it off.

Didn't think so.

Best. Play. In. History.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

When we recovered that kick, I knew we were going to win the whole thing.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

All I remember is that Peyton was driving for the winning score when Porter took it back to the house.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

Holy crap. I actually agree with everything that you just said.

:confused:

We could have still lost the game after the "Ambush" given that there was still a full half to play. But, the Porter picked guaranteed the win. THAT was the greatest moment I have ever experienced as a Saints fan.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

You may have felt that, but there was a full half to be played. The "knowing" did not occur until the Porter pick six.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

If Sean Payton said we had to steal a possession to win the game then the onside kick wasn't overated but much needed. if you remember, our last drive of the first half, The extended half time show, and the onside kick kept payton manning on the side lines for over an hour total. If we simply kick it off, Im sure Manning would have had no trouble marchin up and down the field on our suspect defense. I love the SAINTS, but sometimes you just gotta keep it real. . . WHO DATT TWO DATT !!! !

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

I think he was driving for the tying score.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

Yes, to tie, and still 3 minutes on the clock.


My two cents is it's #1, but Gleason, Ambush, and anything from the NFCG are all worthy.
Deuce getting a first down to clinch the Philly playoff game in 06 or 07 is still my personal fav because I was there and it was one of our first true successes.

Thank god it's no longer "Hakim dropped the ball'

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

It's all about perspective.

The question was asked to all football fans, not just Saints fans. And the question was which play was the most memorable, i.e., the play that football fans around the country remember the most. So from the perspective of all football fans, of all the plays they have seen the Saints make, that's the one they remember the most, and rightly so, considering the hype that particular play got from the moment it happened until months after the game was over.

I have not seen the actual polls, but I'd bet the most media hyped plays for each team were the ones selected, like the Steelers with the immaculate reception, or the Raiders with the holy roller (maybe sea of hands), etc...

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

Why would you call that play overrated ? I agree we had a little bit momentum going into the half but who knows what would have happened with Manning getting the ball in the 2nd half... That Onside kick was huge !

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

So the Colts are going to try to Ambush the Saints? If not then I guarantee you the Saints would drive the field and kick a game-winning FG!

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

I remember feeling completely confident and calm at halftime and not even that concerned about the scoreboard. The momentum had already shifted late in the half, and I could "see" that Drew was starting to see stuff and figure things out, like picking a lock, and the offense was moving the ball, and our D was making it tougher for the Colts, just like they had done to teams all year long. It looked like the 2009 Saints!

But Ambush of course sent the popcorn flying, as everyone in the room with me jumped up to watch the scrum!

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

Yeah we would've had the game with or without ambush, but have to say it was one of the most nervous 2 hours (or at least it felt that way) while the refs were deciding on who to award the recovered ball.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

I can't name another coach who did that. But why should that matter? In the end that play didn't win the game. It was a good play and it contributed to the win. But how can anyone not think most of the play that sealed the deal just when it looked like the game was about to be tied up? That's an enormous swing. Much more than any perceived momentum swing the onside kick caused. We were pretty much dominating them from the end of the first quarter.

I mean, everybody has their own opinions but I'm blown away that people could come to any other conclusion. I'm not seeing a grey area that leaves any room for argument. But that's me.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

The Colts only ran 6 offensive plays in the second quarter. The Saints had the ball the remainder of the quarter, although they only had 2 FGs (6 points) to show for it.

I still wonder if Payton would have called "Ambush" to start the third quarter had Pierre Thomas scored to tie the game, and it remained tied at the half?

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

The odds of getting the recovery and marching it all the way down with Brees were likely a lot higher than trying to fight back into the game. It looked borderline insane on the field but put a pencil to it and I bet it's a fairly rational call.

I understand we were playing better but the stats said we had to take a possession away and I think that was the verdict.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

I have no doubt Payton would have called "Ambush" sometime in the second half. I just wonder whether it would have been on the second half kickoff, with the game tied 10-10 and the Saints having all the momentum.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

Or Tom Dempsey's 63-yd FG lol

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

I flagged down Doc Brown and went back in timetied up I kicked off normally. The Colts ran it back for a TD then they onside kicked and scored another TD Colts won! It's okay though, we lost but they were hurting the next day!

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

There's not a halftime locker room pep talk in the world that could have pumped the Saints up more than recovering that onside kick.

Re: The Myth of “Ambush”
 

Yeah my top 3 plays of all time Saints History
- Gleason
- Porter
- Hakim Drops the ball.

However Ambush - isn't to be taken lightly. That play changed the momentum of the game to start the half. If you don't think that was important than you need to watch the play and watch the sidelines. If you don't think the players reaction mean anything in a game and get excited about it... let alone if they didn't have put complete faith before then in Sean or they could win that game... they did then.