Forgive me for I have been an awful Louisianan.
Never mind that I haven’t lived there since I was eight nor that the last time I’ve visited has been my dad’s funeral 13 years ago in my childhood town of Zachary, about 20 miles away from Baton Rouge and 100 miles from New Orleans. But the worst of my sins was that I didn’t believe in the Saints in this Super Bowl.
I doubted them on both sides of the ball, but they made me feel the gash on their side. All of the sudden, Peyton Manning’s receivers couldn’t hold on to the ball. They were falling down on their routes. And the Saints defense didn’t allow many yards after the catch after the Colts receivers caught the ball.
The Saints played to win the game while the Colts seemed to turn conservative.
It was the Saints who surprised everyone watching the game by kicking an on-side kick to start the second half and get possession of the ball. It was the Saints who went for it on fourth and goal in the second quarter. Although it failed, the Colts ran three consecutive running plays to go three-and-out and give the ball back to the Saints at their 48-yard line with 1:03 left in the game.
In the fourth quarter when leading 17-16, the Colts faced a fourth down on the Saints 33 yard line. They opted to kick the 51 yard field goal knowing full well their kicker Matt Stover was the oldest player ever in the Super Bowl at 42 years old. Of course the kick went wide left and gave the Saints great field position where they scored the go-ahead touchdown.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees was the sharpshooter throwing only seven incomplete passes. Manning was the one who made the big mistake with 3:12 left in the game which sealed the championship for the Saints.
After the paper bags, derisive nicknames and threats of a relocated franchise, the Saints now sit on top of the football world ready to return to New Orleans as heroes.
So Mmmmnommnommmnomm*burp*.
That’s the sound of the crow I’m eating. Sorry for the belch, but my stomach was already filled with gumbo, Buffalo wings, mini tacos, baby carrots, chips and spinach artichoke dip. I accept my punishment and will now go to bed with the bottle of antacids on my night stand.
