Vikings and Dolphins probably have a few regrets. Andrew Brandt
I am scheduled to fly to New Orleans on Thursday to judge the finals of the Tulane Sports Law Moot Court competition. What a time to go -- smack in the middle of the Who Dat Saints winning it all and Mardi Gras. I wonder if I’ll find a town that’s hung over from the Saints’ Super Bowl victory or just revving up for Mardi Gras. The answer, of course, is both.
The Saints are the winners, no doubt about that. They’ve survived every test and done so with some financial challenges as well, which I’ll detail in my next column.
However, there are many who have to be feeling sick about Sunday night’s result, mostly due to their own mistakes coming back to bite them at the hand of Drew Brees and the loveable Saints. Those feeling ill as a result of what happened last night include:
The Colts. Of course, they did not play badly, and in one of the most tired phrases ever uttered, they played well enough to win. However, that “well enough to win” would be for a regular-season game against an average opponent, not well enough to win against the Saints. Pierre Garcon, you cannot drop that pass, not on that stage against that team. Hank Baskett, you cannot whiff on that onside kick. Again, the norm for the Colts is that those kinds of mistakes can be easily overcome by the greatness of Manning, but not against the opportunistic Saints.
The Vikings. They outplayed the Saints two weeks ago and lost. They possess a superior defense to the Colts, a reason I picked the Saints to win. The Vikings also played “well enough to win” but also did just enough to lose, as did the Colts. Although it sometimes comes off as disrespecting the winner, the truth is that most games are lost rather than won. With credit to the Saints, the Colts and Vikings lost those games as much as the Saints won them.
The Dolphins. Drew Brees wanted to be a Dolphin, but it was not mutual. As much talk about the “calling” he felt from New Orleans and the wonderful things he’s done with the city, he preferred Miami to New Orleans when he was a free agent in 2006 after being shunned by the Chargers in favor of Philip Rivers. Coming off a serious shoulder injury, Brees was put through an exhaustive medical exam and by the Dolphins, who chose Daunte Culpepper and his balky knee over Drew and his shoulder. Culpepper played four games for the Dolphins, who have invested in older veterans (Trent Green, Chad Pennington) and consecutive second-round draft picks (John Beck, Chad Henne) with limited success. Now they watch as Drew Brees – whom they could have had at hello – wins the world championship on their home field.
Jim Irsay. Irsay publicly proclaimed that he would make Peyton Manning the highest-paid player in the history of the NFL. That bravado sounded bold in the midst of the recent love fest for Manning. Now, not as much. Manning is still deserving of eclipsing his brother and Rivers’ recent extensions but will now have his 9-9 postseason record brought up when that deal, which may approach $50 million guaranteed and $140 million total, is negotiated. The lavish deal will also take place against a backdrop of ownership grumbling about player costs rising much faster than revenues.
Other notes from the weekend:
I get that Super Bowl Sunday has become a national holiday for commercials and all their accompanying hype, but it makes for a disjointed game without the flow needed for viewers to become truly invested. It seemed to me like there were smatterings of football among the ad clutter….
Michael Irvin and Warren Sapp are both accused of violence against women. Two enormous personalities with an ability to draw people to them have been alleged to have used that gift wrongly. In talking to people about the allegations against each, there’s a noticeable lack of shock and almost a shrug of non-surprise….
Jimmy Johnson is promoting a male-enhancement product. I won’t go there; I wonder why he did….
LaDainian Tomlinson said he would not take a pay cut from the Chargers, then revised himself to say he expects to be playing elsewhere in 2010. Sounds like LT was informed that to stay with the Chargers, he would be taking a pay cut. Soon, the Chargers will be “retiring” one of their all-time greats with flowery language about what a wonderful player and person he is, sounding more like they’re rewarding him with a new contract than releasing him. Like so many running backs who excelled recently only to be pushed into semi-retirement – Shaun Alexander, Deuce McAllister, Edgerrin James – Tomlinson will have an exit from the team for which he was a signature player for almost a decade….
No labor talk in this column, but this will be the place to be for all you need to know (and some you don’t) about the new way of doing business in the NFL.
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"Although it sometimes comes off as disrespecting the winner, the truth is that most games are lost rather than won."
No, it ALWAYS comes off as disrespecting the winner. The truth is winning and losing are two sides of the same coin. You are trying to take something away from the Saints. Are you on record predicting their victory?
I think the reason people are not overjoyed about the Saints winning is that their two prior playoff wins were tainted by dirty play and biased officiating, particulalry in the Vikings game.
Yesterday, some calls were questionable, such as the offensive PI called on the Colts in the end zone. The officials completely lost control of the game in the scrum following the onside kick. I have zero confidence they got that call correct and neither could they, after standing there and letting about 20 players get in the pile and with the sidelines, even coaches, on the edge of the pile when they were trying to sort it out. One of the worst officiating displays in SB history.
I do think the Colts were both outplayed and outcoached yesterday and probably deserved to lose. They weren't ready for the onside kick. Going for that 51 yard FG was a terrible decision. Their offense lost its normal crispness in the second half, and Brees carved up their defense.
Perhaps it was reverse voodoo, was Randy Mueller, former Saints front office man, in Miami before or after Drew's saga on singing with a new team?
Sitting here at my desk, looking over the main floor of this Bank, seeing the somewhat lack of productivity (myself included!) why, oh why can't this GD game be played on Saturday?!?!?!? I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't agree with this
Don't forget to add the San Diego Chargers to your list of unhappy folks!! How is letting Drew Brees walk working out for ya Chargers?? LMAO!!!
Was I dreaming or were there more than 11 Saints players (and a coach) on the field during the scrum over the on-side kick? The whistle had already blown, so it is not as though they have more than 11 on the field during an active play. But given that possession was still being contested, it seems like some sort of violation. There also seemed to be an inordinate number of people jerking guys on and off the pile. I'm not sure there is a rule that deals with this, but the officials did not seem to be in control. In the regular season, I'm guessing a flag or two would have been thrown.
poor vike fans 0 4 in superbowls and 0 5 in nfc championship games since 1977 take all the ex packers you want it wont help. the browns will win a superbowl before the vikes do
THanks for pointing on Brees desire to go to MIAMI when he was a free agent. Payton wanted the GB job, Reggie wanted to be in HOUSTON and BREES wanted MIAMI.....so when they go on and on and on and on about their love for the SAINTS and the city of New Orleans, it sickening and should be pointed out!!!
C'mon Newton, Andrew is stating the obvious. The Saints won. They were more opportunistic from the second quarter onward. Think for a minute and tell me that you didn't have at least a little expectation that Manning was going to tie up that game. He was doing what he always does - move the ball. That pick was a great play. It reminded me of Al Harris jumping the route against the Seahawks and ending an OT playoff game with a pick six as well.
The Vikings are the team who should be tossing and turning at night. They outplayed the Saints but created so many errors that it gave Brees chances to excel when the offense was sputtering. Manning also has a whole offseason to think about why he didn't throw that pass to the outside.
The clock is running on teams like the Colts, Patriots , Vikings and Chargers. If they don't do it next year, all bets are off as we wait to see what rosters in the post CBA environment look like
Mack1124
Why is it sickening? So what if Peyton maybe wanted to coach the Packers. You learn to love the one that wants you pretty quickly in any walk of life. It is great to be appreciated. Those guys came in at the lowest of the low times and turned that franchise around. The journey is as important as the result.
I certainly didn't see anything I would have called "dirty" in the Saints victory over the Vikings. I love Favre and recall him throwing some decent blocks on reverses over his career, (he even got fined for an illegal block this year), so he was more than fair game on that reverse. At least none of the Saints showed the lack of class that the "roper" does after making a play. Where was Jared Allen in that game anyway, I don't recall seeing him? Being a Boiler, I was thrilled to see Brees have a great game but I can't believe Pierre Thomas isn't getting more attention. He was the difference maker on the field yesterday, sort of like AP was supposed to be but isn't. If you didn't see the offensive pi, you need to clean your glasses or screen. You might recall there was no protesting by players, coaches, announcers. Best team won!
Listen up numb nuts. You don't outplay your opponent when you turn the ball over five times. Controlling the ball is part of the game. If one team does it better than another they are that much the better team. Period. End of discussion.
Amen Andrew. The ads seemed to dominate the show. I can't remember feeling so complacent about a super bowl game. It was hard to get into a game dominated by bud, tostitos , etc. However I did enjoy seing the Saints win.
I'm afraid that my love for watching the draft will also take a major hit as they spread the event over three nights in "Prime Time".
Thanks, Andrew.
Vikings fans complaining about the officials is AOK, but the second-guessing wouldn't be necessary if Childress knew how to manage the clock and/or coach differently at the end of the Saints recent playoff game (NFC championship game loss).
NO ONE has pointed out his conservative play calling because MN was in Saints' territory with more than 1:30 to go, but he chose to play for a 40+ field goal. Ultimately, his best case scenario before Favre's (classic "That's The Brett We Know") INT was still a 45 to 50 yard attempt for Longwell.
That's not exactly a chip shot.
Childress "lost" the game as much as anyone, if you take my point of view.
I haven't even mentioned the 12th man on the field penalty yet, but all roads point back to Childress' bald cul de sac.
What a one-way mind to oblivion he is in terms of false acumen.
I don't care, but I'm sure Packer fans were THRILLED he got an extension.
Four more years of Chilly is just what Packer fans wished for their holiday present.
Saban was the ONE guy who wanted Brees. It was the rest of the organization who said "NO"
Jimmy Johnson is better than that and I can't believe he did that commercial. Is anyone anywhere capable of saying "it's just not worth the money?"
Speaking of anyone anywhere...please don't say the Colts got the short end from game officials. It's embarrassing to people who pay attention.
"Pierre Garcon, you cannot drop that pass, not on that stage against that team."
"Hank Baskett, you cannot whiff on that onside kick."
Andrew, listen, I usually agree with everything you have to say, but the fact of the matter is:
1.) Garcon is a rookie. A starter, but a rookie, regardless.
2.) Baskett is a reserve WR.
3.) Garcon's drop was with TONS of time left in the 3rd quarter.
4.) Baskett's miss of the onsides kick was the opening of the 2nd half.
Bottom line, my blame goes to:
1.) Reggie Wayne, for not completing his route that resulted in a 70+ yard pick-6, and for all of his uncharacteristic drops all game.
2.) Peyton Manning, for forcing the ball to Wayne on that pick-6 INT, even though Tracy Porter had ideal position on that particular play.
3.) Tom Moore / Peyton Manning, for calling one of their more conservative game plans, which resulted in many instances of close to the vest, low-risk situations. The opposite of what had gotten them to the this stage.
4.) Mike Caldwell, for making his ancient, weak-legged kicker attempt an incredibly long FG, that led to the Saints having dynamite field position, allowing an eventual score.
In my opinion, these 4 are more to blame than the 2 complimentary players you cited.
The Saints just outplayed the Colts in every phase of the game. They just wanted it more. Also, the "Who Dats" inspired the Saints on.
If you cannot discern the difference between an ACCUSATION towards one player (Irvin) versus AN ARREST of another (Sapp), then you are an irresponsible IDIOT.
"Jimmy Johnson is promoting a male-enhancement product. I won’t go there; I wonder why he did…." again, how stupid are you? the answer to your question: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
'Lovefest for Manning' ? Maybe by you, but not most of the knowledgeable football fans.
And, your attack on LT? WTH kind of useless drivil are you writing?
Games are won, the losing is the result of somebody else winning. To suggest otherwise, especially given the game that played out on Sunday is, in fact, an insult to the Saints. Don't give the Saints all due credit, merely credit them with the win. They won the game, just as Pittsburgh won last year and the Giants the year before that. Those collective wins led to other teams losing, stop trying to parse the English language to suggest somehow the losers "did this to themselves".
It is bad enough we are increasingly becoming a society where we want to stray away from terms like "loser" and we don't want to use red pends and let us award trophies to all the kids who participated in some strange effort to protect people from the negative stigma of losing. In my life, every failure just encouraged me to work harder. This is hardly the first time Manning and the Colts have tasted failure and they have always managed to come back. So congratulate the Saints, wish the Colts and Vikings better luck next year and move on with your stories. The Saints would seem to have earned at least that much.
Hate it for Sapp, I thought he was destined for his own sitcom eventually. Irvin IS pond scum. His "stand up, get up, look up" HoF speech has a whole other meaning in the 90's when he was leading team orgies and bedding 3-4 hookers/strippers at a time and doing coke. His past is catching up to him. Too bad, so sad.
You are correct about teams losing games rather than winning them. I don't ever remember a team playing a perfect game and losing. Every losing team makes mistakes. Should we take away the Dolphins perfect season because their opponents make mistakes?
Reggie wanted to be in HOUSTON and BREES wanted MIAMI.....so when they go on and on and on and on about their love for the SAINTS and the city of New Orleans, it sickening and should be pointed out!!!
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Feb 08, 2010
01:08 PM
I wonder if Parcells had been in charge when Brees came in if the Dolphins would have signed him. Just goes to show that Saban was probably never meant to be a pro coach.