Super Bowl Wrap

Congratulations to the Saints and the city of New Orleans!!! What a great win for the city and the franchise.

Looking back at this game it was not a typical Super Bowl. Coaches tend to be conservative in the Super Bowl. The Saints were anything but. Going for it on fourth and goal and to open the second half with the first ever onsides kick attempt not attempted in the fourth quarter. Sean Peyton stayed true to himself and his team by staying aggressive and taking chances. Those action paid off for Peyton and the Saints with their first Super Bowl victory in the team's history. The Colts on the other hand were a bit conservative which hurt them in the long run.

There are many points in this game that one can look at and say this is what changed the game or this. The unraveling of the Colts happened a few times.

1. In the first half Pierre Garcon's drop on third down. If that play is completed Garcon has running room a first down and Manning and Company would have found a way to score.

2. The failed 3rd and one from the Colts 11. I understand the Colts are deep in their own territory with 1:15 left. They are either looking to run the clock out or get a 1st and look to get a field goal attempt. I have no problem with the Colts trying to run the clock out up 7 and getting the ball in the 2nd half. My issue is the 3rd down call. It is about a foot and the Colts call for a fullback blast. They hand the ball off to Mike Hart who is a running back and the bigger line, the Saints defensive line gets penetration and stop Hart and the Colts from getting the 1st down. The Colts would have been better off handing the ball to Addai or calling some other type of run play. First sign of a momentum swing.

3. The Colts giving up a field goal in the last minute of the 1st half. The second sign of a momentum swing.

4. The onside kick recovery by the Saints to start the second half. With the Colts up 10-6 and getting the ball who knows what would have happened. Instead the Saints recover and they have all the momentum.

5. At 17-13 Colts the Colts are driving and are stopped. They can either go for it on 3rd down or kick a 51 yard field goal. Matt Stover's range is about 48. Anything beyond that is 50-50 at best. With possible the best qb of all time I would have gone for it instead of going for that long of a fg. Stover missed the fg and on the sideline you see an agitated Manning. I think Manning was upset because he was stopped. This frustration though is what made Manning think it was not his day and set the mindset for the rest of the game.

6. At 24-17 and the Colts driving I think everyone figured a tie game was going to happen. Well as we all know by now Manning looked for Reggie Wayne and Tracey Porter stepped in between Wayne and the pass and returned it for a pick 6. That is what sealed the game. I have seen numerous people talk about this play. Watching the type and listening to the experts I agree that it looks like Wayne and Manning were not on the same page and Manning figured Wayne would be inside and Wayne went outside which allowed for Porter to break in for the interception. Many feel Wayne is at fault and should have went inside. After looking at the play a few times it does look like it is Wayne's fault. Either way it put the nail in the coffin of the Colts.

7. The injuries to Dwight Freeney and Reggie Wayne. Freeney played well in the 1st half but the ankle slowed him in the 2nd half and he became a non-factor. This hurt the Colts because their pass rush suffered and it allowed the Saints and Brees to pick them apart. The other injury that I think went unnoticed is the one to Reggie Wayne. He banged his knee in the week leading up to the Super Bowl and he was not 100%. Not being that hurt the Colts because he could not make the difference he usually does.

Those seven reasons is what did the Colts in. The Saints on the other hand were aggressive and beat the Colts by taking advantage of Colt decisions and just wanting it more. A few notes on the Saints.

1. In the first half though it worked I did not like the call of going for it on 4th down. I am a believer in taking points. I would have taken the 3 there. That being said it worked out for the Saints. As for running it on 4th down I did not like that call. Drew Brees is the best player on your team. On 4th down put the ball in his hands and have him do something. Have him roll out, throw a jump ball to a taller Colston (though on 4th down I do not like that call). As I said in the long run it worked out for the Saints but I just did not like going for it.

2. The onsides kick to open the 2nd half. Trailing by 4 and knowing that Manning is having a good game I think going for the onsides is a great call. You are saying to your defense I have faith you can strop the Colts offense and if it works you get momentum and can take the lead. It did work and is what I think maybe the difference in Super Bowl 44. A gutsy aggressive call and I liked it.

3. The play of MVP Drew Brees. Brees proved he should be mentioned with Brady and Manning. Brees throws the ball to a spot and really is a great qb. As great of a qb as Brees is what really shines through for me is his leadership. His leadership is what propels this team to greatness and to a Supper Bowl this year.

Overall it was an exciting Super Bowl and a fun one to watch. As these two teams go into the offseason the Colts will wonder what if and can they over come the Super Bowl loss hangover and be back here next year?

As for the Saints. Do they have what it takes to repeat. Most of the same team should be returning so they have a great chance. As for the city of New Orleans what a party Bourbon Street will be for the next few weeks. After seeing the pictures from Sunday I wish I was there to celebrate. It looked like a blast down there. As for the city of New Orleans I hope this helps and brings attention to that area. With the coverage over the next few days hopefully people will see that New Orleans has recovered and people will want to visit to help its local economy. That being said New Orleans still has a ways to go but it is New Orleans time and it is a time for the Saints and their fans to enjoy it.