As I sit here watching hours of Super Bowl post-game coverage, basking in the glory of the Saints win, I thought I'd write some thoughts on the game that not a lot of people are talking about.
First of all, Sean Payton's gutsy decision to onside kick at the beginning of the second half may have been the play of the game -- that sentiment is inarguable. But what no one in mainstream media is talking about is how the numbers show that if the Saints try that 10 times in that exact situation they would actually recover the ball six times -- more than half of the time. The analysis is here if you don't believe me. I just think it is important to highlight how deficient mainstream media is in giving fans all the facts. We can only hear plaudits of risky and gutsy so many times before it would be nice to have some hard facts provide color on the situation.
Jim Caldwell was over his head in this game. The Caldwell story is a nice one but the reality is that Peyton Manning was the reason that this team almost went undefeated -- Caldwell was merely a caretaker. While Sean Payton was making the right call going for it on 4th down, trying onside kicks, and making the right challenges, poor Caldwell was making his 42 year old kicker try a 51 yard FG, mismanaging timeouts and playing things way to close to the vest when he should have been going for the jugular (at the end of the 1st half).
What's interesting about Payton's decision to go for it on 4th and Goal at the two yard line is how he likely knew things would play out if he didn't get the touchdown. Payton knew that by giving the Colts the ball at their own one yard line, he was essentially taking the ball out of Manning's hands. He knew that there was no way that conservative Caldwell would actually let Manning throw the ball in that situation so essentially he was ensuring that at worst he would go into the locker room down seven points. If he kicks that field goal and then kicks off, there's a good chance Manning has a chance to get another TD before the end of the half -- the worst case scenario. Poor Caldwell played right into Payton's hands.
Garret Hartley was my MVP. Yes I know Brees was really the MVP and as I mentioned before the game he may even be better than Manning. But Hartley's three 40+ FG's were a Super Bowl first and without them the Saints may have not been in a position for Brees' heroics. Hartley's kick in OT against the Vikings was true and his three kicks in the Super Bowl were some of the most no doubt, clutch kicks I have ever seen. Hartley was amazing.
Finally, as I listen to my nemesis Tom Jackson talk about Sean Payton's onside kick decision, I can't help but wonder what he'd be saying if that were the Patriots and Bill Belichick trying that onside kick. Even worse, I can't imagine what he would have said if it had been unsuccessful. Again, it would be nice if someone on that ESPN set had something intelligent to say about the decision rather than commenting on its result.
Nevertheless, a great game, one where at least the good guys or rather the smart guys won.
Ken Levine: Super Bowl XXLVIIXXLVVI
What a great night for the city of New Orleans! 31-17 the final over the Colts. The celebration in the French Quarter should start winding down in June.
David Wild: "New Orleans Stomp": A Winning Super Bowl Playlist for the New Orleans Saints
Here is one winning playlist for the New Orleans Saints who showed guts and grace as they triumphed over the Colts.
Dave Zirin: Who Dat? Dat's the Super Bowl Champs!
The folks of the Big Easy are feeling fearless right now. Every last person -- from Bush to Brownie -- that wrote this city off has to now bend down and kiss the ring.
Greg Mitchell: Celebrate! "When the Saints Go Marching In"--Louis Armstrong
In the wake of the stunning Saints upset in the Super Bowl, how else to celebrate -- from a distance -- than with the city's leading native son, and one of the greatest Americans ever, Louis Armstrong.
Nevertheless, the Colts typically can beat a team AND the refs if they aren't playing in San Diego. Next time the aints pass by this way Katrina will seem like a safer option.
http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/zeus-approves-of-norv-turners-onside-kick/
Congrats on your upset call.
But its important to look at how Payton over the last four years handpicked a lot of players, like Brees, and had a vision for the team. He even took a reduced salary. Leading into the owner-player negotiations, I hope both sides keep that in mind: teamwork and commitment to a common purpose won this superbowl. It was not done by assembling a bunch of overpriced and over-rated draft picks and free agents with attitude problems. Yes, Bellichek has been succesful with a similar approach of searching for diamonds in the rough, but I get the sense that Payton's players like and trust him a little more.
However, the Colt's loss was a team effort, and there were mistakes players made that contributed to the final result. They had their chances to prevent them.
but also rooting against Peyton Manning; the hype in his favor was so far over the top
"best ever"??? NOT
When he has four Super Bowl rings and no defeats, we can talk "best"
OOOPPS....he has already blown that stat
CONGRATS to the SAINTS, Drew Brees and the entire organization; they deserved the win
(enough about PM)