Saints take advantage of Manning's mistake to capture first-ever Super Bowl posted by Joe Anello

If you're reading this, it means you're not among the thralls of New Orleans Saints fans in Louisiana or with the team in Miami that are just beginning what is sure to be a month-long party because their team just won their first ever Super Bowl. On a night thought by many to be Peyton Manning's coronation, Drew Brees ended up at the post-game podium as the MVP of the night after a 31-17 victory. Sunday's championship contest didn't get off to the most exciting of starts, but it sure finished with one.

After getting out to an early 10-0 lead, Peyton looked primed to make the Saints a footnote on his way to history. New Orleans kept it close with two field goals in the second quarter, even after failing a fourth down conversion down at the goal line. When the second half kicked off, it was all Saints. A surprising and successful onside kick led to a Pierre Thomas touchdown, signaling a momentum shift. 

In the fourth quarter, down seven after a Jeremy Shockey touchdown and reviewed two-point conversion, Peyton Manning had the ball in his hands heading down the field, a moment we all expected him to take head on. Then a poor throw fell into the hands of corner Tracy Porter, who promptly returned it 74 yards for the game-sealing score. The Saints victory party began with over 44 seconds left in the Super Bowl, as Manning led his team to the goal line and failed to convert on fourth down. 

Joe's Opening Drive: Super Bowl 44 posted by Joe Anello

The wait is over. Super Bowl 44 is nigh. Manning versus Brees starts in mere hours. After prepping you for the game yesterday with separate previews of the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints, it's time to bring the two together for my Super Bowl predictions. 

As you're enjoying commercials and stuffing your face with every snack food known to man, it's hard to remember there's a game to be watched. If you miss it, you could miss one of the most explosive Super Bowl match-ups in history. Behind Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, these offenses are always threats to hit the big play. That gives defensive coordinators headaches. Each defense will look to pressure the opposing QB early and often. Whoever best achieves that goal has the best chance to take home the coveted Lombardi Trophy.

Peyton Manning has evolved into a master of pass protection in the past few years, always knowing where the blitz is coming from and where to slide his linemen. New Orleans' front four won't be able to pressure Manning on their own, so mixing in blitzes effectively will be at the top of Saints coordinator Gregg Williams' to-do list. Unfortunately, Manning has the ability to expose any blitz at any time, taking those opportunities to hit a big play down the field. If the Saints can't surprise Manning with pressure, it will be a long day for that defense.

Unlike the Ravens or the Jets, the Saints defense can't shut down an offense. We saw it in the Minnesota game where their defense caused five turnovers but still gave up close to 500 yards of offense. Everyone has already mentioned it, but the Saints depend on turnovers. Peyton Manning won't give them the same chances that Brett Favre did. He always finds the open receiver, whether its superstar Reggie Wayne or rookie Austin Collie.

Big Daddy Gets You Ready For the Black ’n’ Gold Super Bowl posted by Les Leonard

     Did everyone recover from a wild weekend without Saints football? Big Daddy barely felt the Saints third bye week blow by thanks to Bobby Hebert honoring the Buddy “D” promise: to wear a dress if the saints ever made it to the Super Bowl. Big Daddy wonders if seeing all those guys in dresses compelled the U.S. military to ponder abolishing their don’t ask—don’t tell policy?

     Where were you when you heard Jim Henderson’s immortal words: “Pigs have flown, Hell has frozen over, the Saints are on their way to the Super Bowl?” Big Daddy didn’t hear Henderson’s call live, but he caught it the first time on the Big 870 WWL Radio, listening to the Saints postgame show. Nothing ever sounded better.

     Judging from the Saints NFC Championship nail biter, Big Daddy hopes the Who Dat Nation stocked up on booze and tranquillizers for what’s about to transpire? In this special Black ’n’ Gold Super Bowl edition of the Section 645 Saints Beat, Big Daddy investigates Krewe du vieux’s origin, visits the French Quarter for Buddy and Bobby’s Brawds Dress March, drives to Bay St. Louis for the Second Guess Show, recaps the Pro Bowl, unveils a winning approach to Super Bowl XLIV, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.

     Carnival lovers have marked Krewe du vieux Saturday on their calendars since 1987. From the ashes of the Krewe of Clones, who disbanded in 1986, due to a dispute between the Contemporary Arts Center’s leadership, City Hall, and the Krewe. The disagreement stemmed from the Clones’ intention to parade the night before Super Bowl XX (Chicago vs. New England) played in the Superdome. Who remembers Buddy D’s breaking news report about Chicago quarterback Jim McMahon calling the women of New Orleans sluts? Huh, Big Daddy didn’t realize BYU grads were such experts on the topic? Inspired by the Aug. 4 fire in the Krewe du Vieux den, 2010’s theme was “All Fired Up” with Dr. John reigning as king, while Mother Miriam Chamani from Rampart St.’s Voodoo Spiritual Temple as the queen. Per tradition, the 17 sub-krewes rolled 18 days before Fat Tuesday with their mule driven hand made floats, marching jazz bands, and costumed sub-krewe members making their way up Royal, down Decatur, and then on to Frenchmen, throwing unique novelty trinkets to appreciative revelers, lining the parade route to check out the political satire and raunchy adult humor.

Joe's Opening Drive of Super Bowl 44: Indianapolis Colts posted by Joe Anello

As we grow closer to the Super Bowl, all eyes are on Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts as they chase down a legacy. After starting the season 14-0, the organization turned off the gas for the final two games as they rested their starters for the post-season. After shutting down the Ravens and putting a 30-spot on the Jets, we will finally see if shunning history will pay off for Indianapolis.

Being named the successor to Tony Dungy, Jim Caldwell already had the tools necessary to make it to the playoffs, but no one would have believed he could take a team to the Super Bowl in rookie season as head coach. His ability to keep the team united during the undefeated fiasco and on the championship path while improving a defense that missed All-Pro safety Bob Sanders all season proves Bill Polian and Jim Irsay made the right call.

While Caldwell certainly deserves credit for the Colts' success, there's no arguing who really runs this organization. His name is Peyton Manning, and he was already on the verge of becoming the greatest quarterback in NFL history. With a record fourth MVP season behind him, Manning has one game left to claim his second title and his claim to immortal greatness. All that stands in his way is a Saints defense that begs you to make a mistake.

Scariest Manning picture ever.

As great as Manning is (and he is), his offensive line is the reason he's able to complete all those passes and break all those records. Starting with center Jeff Saturday, the unit only allowed ten sacks on the franchise QB all year long. With the way the Saints have pressured the quarterback in the playoffs, they need to be at their best. Well, at least when Manning drops back to pass. Running the ball is another story altogether.

Joe's Opening Drive of Super Bowl 44: New Orleans Saints posted by Joe Anello

We are now a little more than a day away from the culmination of the 2009 NFL season. As we all have that inevitable Super Bowl party where no one else knows about football, I'm here to help you impress your friends with your gridiron knowledge. In this special edition of the Opening Drive I take a look at the NFC representative in SB XLIV, the New Orleans Saints.

Head Coach Sean Payton has taken this team from the bowels of the NFL to a legitimate contender. His offense put up a league-high 32 points a game during the regular season, making it one of the most prolific in history. But we all knew the Saints had a great offense. It was Payton's decision to bring in Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator (and give up part of his own salary to do so, as has been widely publicized) that propelled his Saints to the Super Bowl. While it wasn't dominating, Williams' pressure-filled defense created 39 takeaways during the regular season, second only to the Green Bay Packers. Who needs to stop the run when you'll simply force a turnover on the next the play? On the way to the big game, the Saints absolutely punished Kurt Warner and Brett Favre in their two victories. They want to repeat that result against Peyton Manning.

For all Payton's offensive genius, the man that makes the Saints who they are is quarterback Drew Brees. Barely six feet tall, Brees is accurate, unselfish and has no favorite targets. If you're open, he'll find you. Ten different receivers caught touchdown passes this season, making every Saint not part of the offensive line a threat to score. He may not be Peyton Manning (but who is?), but since he dropped down in New Orleans no one has played better than Brees. Winning a title would make him an elite quarterback of the era.

Bears stun no one with promotion of Marinelli to defensive coordinator posted by Joe Anello

Completing the circle of "Lovie's guys," Bears defensive line coach Rod Marinelli was promoted to assistant head coach and defensive coordinator on Friday. The move was among many staff decisions made by Smith and GM Jerry Angelo. Shane Day, quality control coach with the San Francisco 49ers, was hired to become the new quarterbacks coach and Eric Washington was promoted to defensive line coach. Seattle's Mike DeBord was signed on Tuesday, assuming the tight end coaching vacancy. 

Let's just get this right out of the way: I don't like Marinelli as my defensive coordinator, but he's not going to be. This is still Lovie Smith's defense and that will never change as long as he is the head coach. Marinelli will barely call plays since he's never been a coordinator before in his lengthy football career. Is the promotion ridiculous? Yes. Significant? No.

After Perry Fewell chose to become the coordinator of the New York Giants, the Bears obviously had no recourse except promoting from within. No legitimately established coordinator would come here and merely call Lovie Smith's defense. Now all the hire does is confirm Lovie's stubbornness and insistence on hiring "his guys." Now that his job is tied to this season's performance, he's going to the men he trusts most.

There's not a lot of history on Shane Day, but he worked in San Fran for three years, one of which was under Martz. He also worked with DeBord at Michigan in 2005-06. I hope he ends up being more useful to Cutler than the cardboard cut-out that was Pep Hamilton. Regardless, Martz will be the coach primarily communicating with my franchise QB, as it should be.

The Five Best Super Bowl Winners Since 1985 posted by Colin Linneweber

The New Orleans Saints will play the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV Sunday at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The Colts (16-2) are currently favored by nearly six points to defeat the underdog Saints (15-3) this weekend.

No matter what the ultimate outcome is, fans can expect to witness a thrilling game between the offensively explosive Saints and Colts.

In tribute to this weekend’s championship matchup, I have decided to rank the five best Super Bowl winners of the past quarter-century.

1)      The 1989-1990 San Francisco 49ers- The dominant 49ers (17-2) absolutely destroyed the overmatched Denver Broncos (13-6) by a score of 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIV to repeat as champions at the Superdome in New Orleans.

To this very day, the 49ers lopsided margin of victory over the Broncos remains the biggest blowout in Super Bowl history.

Legendary Niners quarterback Joe Montana was justifiably named the game’s MVP after he completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards and five touchdown passes.

San Francisco’s underrated defense stifled John Elway’s aerial assault and they managed to limit Denver to a paltry 167 yards on offense.

Joe Montana is a four-time Super Bowl champion and he has been the focal point of many tremendous squads.

Still, the 1989-1990 49ers unit was the greatest one that Montana ever played on.

2)      The 1985-1986 Chicago Bears- The Bears (18-1) humiliated the New England Patriots (14-6) 46-10 in Super Bowl XX at the Superdome in New Orleans.

A Message to Boston Sports Fans posted by Charles Bisbee

There’s been a lot of griping recently over the state of Boston sports, serving (for me) as another ugly reminder of the developing, spoiled and cocksure nature of fans in this area. Let’s take a quick look, shall we?

Despite not  having played superbly of late, the Celtics stand at 31-16 and hold a five-and-a-half game lead in their division over Toronto.  

The Patriots finished the season at 10-6 (and a perfect 8-0 at home) and lost in the conference semi-finals to Baltimore.

The line between the Red Sox and Yankees is becoming more blurred each year (I know, I know, blasphemous!). But the Sox pay more and more to rob smaller market teams of their best players. Last year they finished 95-67 and, again, made the playoffs.

The Bruins are apparently stinking up then Garden this year but last year made a nice push into the playoffs.

All this leading me to ask, “what the deuce is the matter with Boston sports fans?” Have we become so spoiled and jaded by the seemingly constant ticker-tape parades down Tremont St. that we’ve subconsciously assumed an unwarranted sense of entitlement traditionally held by Yankee fans?

Not to sound like some ornery, old folgie wannabe but do you remember the early-mid 90’s? Do you remember Carlos Quintana? Todd Day? How about Marty Conlan? Lets gain a little perspective and lose the sense of entitlement. Isn’t that what always has (and still should) differentiate us from Yankee fans?

Nobody played the QB position better than Kurt Warner posted by Colin Linneweber

Legendary St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner retired last week after 12 improbable seasons in the NFL.

Warner, a two-time AP NFL MVP and five-time Pro Bowl selection, walked away from the gridiron, and $11.5 million, while he was still playing at an elite level.

“I’m excited about what’s next,” said Warner, 38, a two-time First-Team All-Pro and the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV. “Before I was always excited about next season.”

With a genuine Cinderella tale like Warner, there really is no way to even guesstimate “what’s next” for him.

Despite the fact that he wasn’t even afforded the opportunity to make his first professional start until he was 28 years of age, Kurt Warner is absolutely one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL.

Warner attended, and played football for, the University of Northern Iowa near his hometown of Cedar Rapids.

Needless to mention, the Panthers are not exactly a football powerhouse in the Midwest.

Still, Warner rode the pine as a third-string signal-caller until his senior year.

When finally granted his opportunity to perform, Warner excelled and was rightfully named the Gateway Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year.

Predictability, nary an NFL team was interested in selecting Warner with a draft pick out of college.

Instead, Warner signed as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers in 1994.

The Packers released Warner before the regular season began, and the immensely gifted passer was then relegated to stocking shelves at a local Hy-Vee grocery store for a paltry $5.50 an hour.

Big Daddy Finally Meets the Wizard posted by Les Leonard

     Who crunked it up deep into Monday morning? Big Daddy and the Who Dats showed tireless endurance to commemorate the Saints’ monumental achievement. Bourbon Street became ground zero as Saints fans taught national TV media outlets that they can no longer treat the Saints like they’re in Kansas. The all-night celebration has South Beach feeling pretty nervous. Over the Saints 43-year lifespan, traversing the yellow brick road brought some good times, and even though the Black ’ n’ Gold always fought hard, staying a loyal Saints through years of painful heartache was a true challenge. Forget wearing bags or being called Aints ever again! Now it’s our time to watch broadcasters get a little brown on their beaks complimenting Saints football. In this week’s edition of the Section 645 Saints Beat, Big Daddy sees $Thousand Dollar Car, tailgates at the Kingpin, feels the passion of Saints fans, reports from Section 645, recaps the NFC Championship, rides the ferry to cast his vote in the Mayor’s race, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.

     Friday night, Le Bon Temps Roule hosted Kingpin regulars who came to pay homage to $Thousand Dollar Car. The happy crowd knew the words to their songs, so they sang along with band all night. To say the beers were going down easy, is more understated than seeing mayoral candidates avoiding an endorsement from C. Ray Nagin. The Car got Big Daddy’ s blood flowing like a Devery Henderson touchdown, when they broke into

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