Who Dat?

[nola girl]

BasUR - Apparently finding a place to watch the game at other than a sports bar is becoming a difficult task. The NFL as we have seen over the past week is seeing dollars & wants their cut of everything. They are cracking down on public viewing of the game. There was an interesting article in the Times Picayune about it this morning. The Sheraton Hotel was planning on projecting the game on a huge outdoor screen for public viewing, but the big bad NFL has them scared. The Mariott is showing the game on various large screen tv's and is even doing a viewing in their restaurant with an admission fee that includes a buffet. The article didn't mention if it was open to all ages. Here's a link to the article.

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/20 ... owl_5.html

[BasUR]

I know. This is crazy! We have made reservations at Michauls to watch the game. A little walk from hotel and quarter, but won't be too bad with all of the crowds. There are so few places that will be good for kids. I'd like to go to Deanies, but at a $155 pp for 7 people... not happening. We'll head back to the quarter after the game!

The visitors bureau has had a page up on their website with hotel packages and super bowl viewing parties listed. They had to take it down. And they cannot even give out information over the phone on any viewing parties. Yep.... The NFL! Greedy!!!!!!

[nothintolose]

Once again...WHO DAT...take DAT NFL!

[Wakey]

awesome

This video is in HD so if your video lags press pause until half of it buffers* and then press play.

*depending on your connection it might take a minute or so to buffer up.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6kEBpKpCeE&fmt=22



Here is the low-rez version if the link above won't play correctly for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6kEBpKpCeE

[nola girl]

BasUR - I guess the NFL is just ticked off because they lost their attempt to claim the rights to "Who Dat"! No matter what the NFL tries to do the people of New Orleans will celebrate on Sunday. They are expecting crowds as large as those on Mardi Gras Day.

Wakey - that was an awesome video!

So here is a little fyi:

This will be the 44th Superbowl, it's the Saints 44th season as a franchise, there are 44 days from Christmas to the Super Bowl , on Super Bowl Sunday it will be 4 years and 4 months since Katrina The Saints won in 4 minutes and 44 seconds overtime .........they are destined!

Also - there have only been 8 other teams that have won the Superbowl on their first time to play in the game. If the Saints win they will be the 9th team. Drew Brees' number is 9!

[jmq]

Before I call the dog in and put up the for sale sign, a couple questions for you Saints fans who see them play on a regular basis:

Are the Saints a good screen running team with Reggie Bush or others?

Have they had any kind of consistent rushing game in the later part of the season, at least enough to make the defense to react to play action?

The Saints will have the emotional edge at the start, but they did seem to get a little tight near the end of the Vikes game (Brees appeared overly cautious with some throws, etc.) How do they play as a team at crunch time in close games, including their field goal kicker?

How is effective is the Saints punter at putting the ball out inside the 15?

What other things do you like about your team and coach that us outsiders wouldnt know about?

[nothintolose]

jmq - I will tell you what I like about this Saints team, they are a team as opposed to a bunch of individuals. For the first time ever, we have players in every position that are awesome! They don't give up no matter what the score is with the exception of the Tampa Bay game. Personally, I believe Hartley missed the field goal at the end of that game for a reason...so he'd get it out of his system and make the one at the end of the Vikings game.

What I also love about them is how much the players love our city and get what New Orleans is all about. The players are very involved in our city and local charities and realize how much they mean to us. We don't see them on the news in trouble all of the time; we see them on the news opening playgrounds or new gyms for schools or whatever.

They also want to give it to all of their fans who have been fans since they were born and have supported their team (even if they did it with bags over their heads). Nationally the media is saying we all need this because of Katrina. To me, it's not because of Katrina, it's for all of those years that New Orleans stood by the Saints when they sucked because they were OUR team.

I don't think we deserve it more than the Colts (and New Orleans LOVES Peyton Manning too). We think it will be a great game and have a parade planned to thank them for a wonderful ride regardless of the outcome. We are so glad to actually BE in the Superbowl and all hope for a win but will love this team no matter what.

[nola girl]

nothintolose summed it up very nicely. As for the statistical data on the Saints - I'm not sure. What I can say is that the team isn't all about one star, but a team full of leaders and stars. The fate of the team isn't just resting on a quartback or reciever or the defense.

This team has brought this city together in ways that you would have never imagined. As much as we like to say that New Orleans is a cultural melting pot, there are alot of racial issues that run deep in this city. Our love for this team has allowed for people to literally put all issues aside and just come together. When the Saints play it is documented that 911 calls greatly decrease. When we celebrate our team people of all kinds come together and everyone loves everyone and the violence stops.

The team, players & coach have all given back alot to out community and take pride in it as much as the locals.

We will be happy with whatever the outcome of the game is. I know I would love to see the Saints win, but just getting to the Superbowl is a great accomplishment for the Saints.

[BasUR]

Before I call the dog in and put up the for sale sign, a couple questions for you Saints fans who see them play on a regular basis:

Are the Saints a good screen running team with Reggie Bush or others?

They've been pretty good with this and Bush has finally looked like he did at USC during the playoffs. I would expect this area of the game to be big for the Saints with all players healthy.

Have they had any kind of consistent rushing game in the later part of the season, at least enough to make the defense to react to play action?

The running game has looked good along with the "Bush" factor. Our backs are healthy and will pound the Colts being that they are all healthy. See Mike Bell stats against the Colts when he played for the Broncos. I expect both he and Pierre Thomas to have big games.

The Saints will have the emotional edge at the start, but they did seem to get a little tight near the end of the Vikes game (Brees appeared overly cautious with some throws, etc.) How do they play as a team at crunch time in close games, including their field goal kicker?

The Saints have not been an "emotional" team to start games The actually have played better as the game goes on. Brees was off during the Vikes game and that was partially due to a good cover defense as well as he was just a little off. I would expect that to be straightened out this week and the Colts D is not as complete as the Vikes D.

How is effective is the Saints punter at putting the ball out inside the 15?

The Saints punting game has been pretty consistent. Punting and Special Teams are actually a strong suit save the inexperience at Field Goal Kicking.

What other things do you like about your team and coach that us outsiders wouldnt know about?

Sean Payton is basically Bill Parcels Jr. He is calm, cool and collected. His team has been coached to play this way and will not get rattled if they get down to the Colts. The defense is nasty mean and will come after Manning over and over again until they get him. The advantage Manning has is slight inexperience in the secondary but we do have a couple of players who will burn him for a pick 6 if he gets too confident. They do not back down and will burn an offense when you think they are on their heels. Our offense is very well balanced with all the tools...not just a great QB. This Saints team may surprise a few people when they play the Colts.

[jmq]

Good stuff BasUR. Despite Coughlins success, I wish Sean Payton was coaching the Giants. One hallmark of the Parcels era with the NYG was the uncanny ability of him and his staff to make great halftime adjustments. Are the Saints known for that too?

[BasUR]

Yes. Payton and his staff make good halftime adjustments. They actually look like an entirely different team after halftime. It's always nice to know things are not over at halftime with Payton.

[nothintolose]

I have felt that the Saints (in the latter part of the season) have been a second half team and would give anything to hear what goes on in that locker room at halftime.

I agree with BaUR about Thomas and Bell. I also am hoping Shockey is totally healthy by Sunday because his presence on the field does alot for our numbers. Meachem has also had a great year. Colston (my favorite player since he became a Saint) can pull balls out of the air when you couldn't imagine anyone could catch them.

I don't like when they give Reggie the ball to run it when they have Thomas and Bell that do a much better job (and don't always run for the sidelines) so I am hoping that they realize he is better off in other areas.

Our defense...so many good players and so glad Greer is finally back! They really step up to the plate when they need to.

I think the Saints can win this even though no one on ESPN does Personally, I almost don't want the game to come because this city is on such a high right now; it's just amazing. At least we have Mardi Gras to wind us down afterwards.

[Wakey]

Wow, I agree with everything here, especially that Thomas & Bell (both undrafted FA) are the studs in the backfield. Al Davis will hopefully give us 2 #1's and a player for Bush this offseason

As I said before we are a bit overmatched. Our defense really isn't that competent. Their saving grace is ball hawking and scoring.

I'm hoping we want it more tomorrow.

As for coach Payton, I think he's the new Belichick. I don't watch much TV so I don't know whats being said but this coaching staff out schemed some high flying teams this year when they were hot and sent them into a spiral. This is what the Pats always did to teams, they "outed" them.

Just one more game guys!

[nothintolose]

Wakey - What's being said by the national media is that the Saints don't have a chance in hell. Down here, we think we are gonna prove them wrong. It's awesome listening to the local radio stations and media! You should stream WWL Radio on your computer.

I am with you on the Reggie for 2 number 1 draft pics. Not a fan of his here. Ever since he got hit hard in that Eagles playoff game, he gets the ball and runs straight for the sidelines where as Thomas and Bell are doing what they should. Yes, Reggie has some awesome plays, but in my mind, he needs to have ALOT more awesome plays to earn his salary.

[Wakey]

RICKEY JACKSON WILL BE THE FIRST SAINT IN THE HALL OF FAME*!! http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/20 ... _firs.html

*please don't quibble, he's the first!