A cool Brees

Contributed by Auggie
Happy Football fan
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Only 210 days until opening day 2010! Can’t wait. In the meantime, here are some leftover Super Bowl thoughts to close out the 09/10 season.

• Well, its official, Drew Brees is now “in the conversation” when discussing the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. In case you didn’t know, “in the conversation” is media speak meaning you ARE one of the best, and can legitimately be mentioned with the other anointed ones. For the record, it doesn’t matter how good you really are, you can only be “in the conversation” if you have The Ring. This is the word of the media – amen. Brees clinched his spot in the QB pantheon with a 32-39 / 288 yds / 2 TD MVP performance against the Colts. There were no electrifying pass plays for the highlight reel, but he played spectacularly within the game plan. A quick side note: had he had produced identical stats in a losing effort because, say, his defense had totally collapsed, then he would NOT be an elite QB. Are you following this logic? For more commentary on the media’s inability to grasp the team concept see Den’s earlier post.
• In any case, I am happy for the Saints in general and for Brees in particular. I get the feeling that he doesn’t need the media validation to feel content, but as a fan I’m glad he’ll have it. Over the past few years I believe Brees has played the QB position as well or better than anyone in the league, and he has done so with class and professionalism. Of course, I would say the same about Manning. Sill, I wanted the Saints to win for a multitude of reasons which I can’t go into here because the word-count police [Ryer] will nail me.
• Interesting how Pierre Garcon’s 2nd quarter drop on 3 and 4 went from the “underrated” key moment of the game to the “overrated” key moment of the game. So many journalists have jumped on that moment as a turning point that you would think he was about to waltz the remaining 65 yards for a TD to put the game out of reach. One problem; if you’re going to play the “what-if” game then you need to mention Marques Colston’s drop a few plays earlier that would have given the Saints a first down in Colt’s territory. They were force to punt instead. For some reason no one mentions that moment - but why ruin a good story with logic.
• Some people have already jumped on Manning for his 4th quarter interception, but sometimes you need to give the defensive player credit. Not every interception is a choke even if it happens in the Super Bowl. Tracy Porter knew they had a blitz on, he knew Manning would need to release it quickly, and he knew the quick slant to Wayne was a likely response. He may have taken a gamble by jumping the route but he made a great play at the right moment and it essentially sealed the game. When you hear about teams that are good but don’t have enough “playmakers” that’s what they’re talking about. Porter made the play just like he did two weeks earlier against Minnesota to force OT.

The Saints rise from NFL doormat to champion gives hope to other franchises. Can it be long before Detroit is hosting a parade?