As we all know, football fans thoughout Louisiana are always looking for new recipes for their tailgate parties. Here's mine. It's been in the making since January.
In a pressure cooker:
start with scores of 36-32 and 21-0
add a tea bagging
Throw in a disapointing(by LSU standard) signing day
a krewe d'tat lampooning
add one protracted contract dispute
dash of wiretapping
fill to the very top, in fact, overflow the pot with bountygate
finish with one year suspensions of your beloved defensive "quarterback" and revered head coach
Seal the lid. Let the heat and pressure from national media, former and current NFL players and "expert" comentators constantly scalding you build for nine months
Put into seprate pots around Labor Day
One pot serves 16, the other 12
serve cold!!
Save enough for leftovers
At long last Football 2012 is here. Happy tailgating football fans!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
NFC South's Book of QBs...
Once thought to be among the strongest QB divisions in the NFL, This book now has four very different chapters.
The Champion, The Pretender, The Flash in the Pan and The Overhyped.
Let's begin with The Champion. Drew Brees. Saints. The only reason to write any further is to use up space on this page. Since arriving in NOLA in 2006, Brees has been nothing short of brilliant. His numbers are off the charts. His leadership is Pattonesque. Football IQ? Einstein. His hunger insatiable. This has and will continue to be a first ballot Hall of Fame career.
The Pretender. Matt "Matty Ice" Ryan. Atlanta Falcons. The media darling of the NFC South. Every year, pre-season forecasters pick the Falcons to win the division and some have them going to the Super Bowl. Why? Matt Ryan. Why? I have no clue. Ryan has good stats in the regular season but pretenders are exposed in the playoffs. With him under center, the Falcons are winless in the post season. They have been outscored 102-47. Ryan's passer rating plummets from 88.4 to 59. As defenses toughen in the playoffs, Ryan melts away.
The Flash in the Pan. Josh Freeman. Tampa Bay Bucceneers. The Bucs QB had what was thought to be a breakout year in 2010. He completed 61% of his passes for 25 TDs and only 6 interceptions. The problem is breakout years are supposed to be followed up. Freeman regressed in 2011. Although his completion percentage improved slightly, his TD/Int ratio dropped to 16/22. Even worse was his 2009 nine season. Ten TDs compared to 18 interceptions. What do you call it when a QB has one good season squeezed between two bad ones?
The Overhyped. Cameron "Cam" Newton. Carolina Panthers. How can a rookie QB with a 60% completion rate be overhyped? Numbers. Except for six games, his numbers are very ordinary. Newton's passer rating exceeded 100 six times. In those games, Carolina was 4-2. The four wins came agianst such powerhouses as 5-11 Washington, the 4-12 Bucs and the winner of the "suck for Luck" sweepstakes, the 2-14 Colts. The two losses were to 8-8 Arizona and 3-13 Minnesota. Big numbers against bad teams. In the 10 Panther losses, Newton's rating was only 79, the lowest a 44.6 verses Atlanta. So why the hype? Newton's ability to run. He ran for over 700 yards in 2011. That's a downright homage to Mike Vick. But, as of this wrting Vick is already hurt. Just two games into the pre-season. Vick, though is 5'11", a smaller target. He is also faster and quicker than Newton. At 6'6" and 240lbs, Newton moves incredible well. But being 6'6", he is a huge target, his ankles are exposed and even at 240 he won't be able to withstand the constant punding of NFL hits. As NFL defensive coordinators figure out he can't read a defense, they will figure out the spread option then force Newton to win with his arm. That's called that the sophmore slump. Newton's will be five star.
My NFC south QB rankings:
1.Brees
2. Ryan
3.Newton
4. Freeman
That was easy.
The Champion, The Pretender, The Flash in the Pan and The Overhyped.
Let's begin with The Champion. Drew Brees. Saints. The only reason to write any further is to use up space on this page. Since arriving in NOLA in 2006, Brees has been nothing short of brilliant. His numbers are off the charts. His leadership is Pattonesque. Football IQ? Einstein. His hunger insatiable. This has and will continue to be a first ballot Hall of Fame career.
The Pretender. Matt "Matty Ice" Ryan. Atlanta Falcons. The media darling of the NFC South. Every year, pre-season forecasters pick the Falcons to win the division and some have them going to the Super Bowl. Why? Matt Ryan. Why? I have no clue. Ryan has good stats in the regular season but pretenders are exposed in the playoffs. With him under center, the Falcons are winless in the post season. They have been outscored 102-47. Ryan's passer rating plummets from 88.4 to 59. As defenses toughen in the playoffs, Ryan melts away.
The Flash in the Pan. Josh Freeman. Tampa Bay Bucceneers. The Bucs QB had what was thought to be a breakout year in 2010. He completed 61% of his passes for 25 TDs and only 6 interceptions. The problem is breakout years are supposed to be followed up. Freeman regressed in 2011. Although his completion percentage improved slightly, his TD/Int ratio dropped to 16/22. Even worse was his 2009 nine season. Ten TDs compared to 18 interceptions. What do you call it when a QB has one good season squeezed between two bad ones?
The Overhyped. Cameron "Cam" Newton. Carolina Panthers. How can a rookie QB with a 60% completion rate be overhyped? Numbers. Except for six games, his numbers are very ordinary. Newton's passer rating exceeded 100 six times. In those games, Carolina was 4-2. The four wins came agianst such powerhouses as 5-11 Washington, the 4-12 Bucs and the winner of the "suck for Luck" sweepstakes, the 2-14 Colts. The two losses were to 8-8 Arizona and 3-13 Minnesota. Big numbers against bad teams. In the 10 Panther losses, Newton's rating was only 79, the lowest a 44.6 verses Atlanta. So why the hype? Newton's ability to run. He ran for over 700 yards in 2011. That's a downright homage to Mike Vick. But, as of this wrting Vick is already hurt. Just two games into the pre-season. Vick, though is 5'11", a smaller target. He is also faster and quicker than Newton. At 6'6" and 240lbs, Newton moves incredible well. But being 6'6", he is a huge target, his ankles are exposed and even at 240 he won't be able to withstand the constant punding of NFL hits. As NFL defensive coordinators figure out he can't read a defense, they will figure out the spread option then force Newton to win with his arm. That's called that the sophmore slump. Newton's will be five star.
My NFC south QB rankings:
1.Brees
2. Ryan
3.Newton
4. Freeman
That was easy.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Five Days in the BAY
Days 3 and 4: Sonoma
Saturday morning in San Francisco.
Rain.
Too bad because this day is the reason we're here. My niece/Goddaughter's wedding. The nuptual starts at 2:00 and the trip is about an hour so we figure we have time to partake in our favorite pastime.
EAT.
Our concierge sets up the rental car then directs us to another California landmak. Mel's Drive-In. It's just around the corner! We bum an umbrella then hoof it through the rain, past St. Patrick's church across traffic to the blue neon lights flashing like a lighthouse leading us home.
Mel's!
Now THIS is breakfast. I go for my standard steak and eggs breakfast, steak med /rare, eggs scrambled soft. My girl gets country fresh eggs, done like mine, grilled potatoes, side of bacon and toast. Plus a short stack to share cause we just can't stop!
Boy this is good!
The eggs cooked perfectly, the steak just right and the grilled potatoes, which are stacked high on the grill like the summet of Mt Shasta, lay on my plate bathing in ketchup. Even the toast is dark and I didn't even have to ask! Well worth the jaunt through the rain.
Mel's is a microcosm of The City itself. Culinarily speaking, that is. Daring nouveau cousine while clinging to the past. Maybe I'm reading to much into this. It's like NOLA. If it taste good, cook it, serve it, eat it.
We did.
We do our best Gene Kelly toward the hotel. A quick stop in St. Patrick's. Our souls filled with a prayer for safety and forgiveness for our impending indulgence.
There's a hotel room waitng for us but we decide to get dressed here then go straight to the chapel.
The Audi arrives then we're off to St.Helena. We cross the Golden Gate, taking the scenic route. Even in the rain , the surrounding beauty is almost overwhelming. Sensory overload. The Pacific on the left, the bay on the right, roadside rolling vineyards, snowcap mountains on the horizon. If you don't beive in God, you haven't seen this place.
We arrive at the chapel fashionally early. Its' still raining so the serenine setting of vineyards yields to the country feeling of the ski lodge with the huge fireplace at our backs and the bride and groom and the landscape in front of us.
The ceremony is bliss. The following supper of prime tenderloin is sublime. The ensuing reception is joy. This is what we came for and we are pleased.
We slumber at the St. Helena Marriot, attend the bridal breakfast then hit the road back to San Fran.
Saturday morning in San Francisco.
Rain.
Too bad because this day is the reason we're here. My niece/Goddaughter's wedding. The nuptual starts at 2:00 and the trip is about an hour so we figure we have time to partake in our favorite pastime.
EAT.
Our concierge sets up the rental car then directs us to another California landmak. Mel's Drive-In. It's just around the corner! We bum an umbrella then hoof it through the rain, past St. Patrick's church across traffic to the blue neon lights flashing like a lighthouse leading us home.
Mel's!
Now THIS is breakfast. I go for my standard steak and eggs breakfast, steak med /rare, eggs scrambled soft. My girl gets country fresh eggs, done like mine, grilled potatoes, side of bacon and toast. Plus a short stack to share cause we just can't stop!
Boy this is good!
The eggs cooked perfectly, the steak just right and the grilled potatoes, which are stacked high on the grill like the summet of Mt Shasta, lay on my plate bathing in ketchup. Even the toast is dark and I didn't even have to ask! Well worth the jaunt through the rain.
Mel's is a microcosm of The City itself. Culinarily speaking, that is. Daring nouveau cousine while clinging to the past. Maybe I'm reading to much into this. It's like NOLA. If it taste good, cook it, serve it, eat it.
We did.
We do our best Gene Kelly toward the hotel. A quick stop in St. Patrick's. Our souls filled with a prayer for safety and forgiveness for our impending indulgence.
There's a hotel room waitng for us but we decide to get dressed here then go straight to the chapel.
The Audi arrives then we're off to St.Helena. We cross the Golden Gate, taking the scenic route. Even in the rain , the surrounding beauty is almost overwhelming. Sensory overload. The Pacific on the left, the bay on the right, roadside rolling vineyards, snowcap mountains on the horizon. If you don't beive in God, you haven't seen this place.
We arrive at the chapel fashionally early. Its' still raining so the serenine setting of vineyards yields to the country feeling of the ski lodge with the huge fireplace at our backs and the bride and groom and the landscape in front of us.
The ceremony is bliss. The following supper of prime tenderloin is sublime. The ensuing reception is joy. This is what we came for and we are pleased.
We slumber at the St. Helena Marriot, attend the bridal breakfast then hit the road back to San Fran.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
If You Lie, You Must Fry
Watergate. Iran-Contra. Monica Lewinsky. Fast and Furious(stayed tuned). Bountygate.
Cover ups. When will they learn.
When it was learned the NFL uncovered the Saints "pay for play" program in 2009, commisar Roger Goodell ordered, right then, coach Sean Payton to cease and desist immediately. Not only did Payton not desist, he proceeded to allow it to go on for two more seasons. Not only did he allow it to go on, but he lied to the NFL when asked if he had ceased the "PFP" program. Not only did he lie, but so did GM Mickey Loomis, and asst head coach Joe Vitt. Not only did they lie to the NFL, but they lied to owner Tom Benson. Not only lied to Benson, but hung him out to dry. Made him a public fool after Benson vouched for them by taking them at their word. Result? A round of suspensions so severe, it sent shockwaves through Whodat Nation and beyond. Even the commissar's own NFL network was in stunned disbelief with the heavy handidness of the ruling.
While there is outrage and anger toward Goodell among Saints faithful, perhaps they should aim their hostility at another target. Sean Payton, himself. He gave Goodell no choice.
Sean Payton has few peers as a head coach and program builder. He is one of those who just gets it. Possessing an uncanny eye for offensive talent, a knack for gameplaning and play calling ability, Payton has bulit the Saints into an NFL powerhouse. In six seasons, the Saints have four playoff appearances(including three in a row), two NFC championship games and of course a Super Bowl victory. But with all the good he has done, Payton continues display a dark side. See Vicaden and U-Haulgate. I took some heat when I came out against Payton's move to Dallas. "As long as he wins on the field, who cares if he lives 500 away", was the mantra of most Saints fans. I remember responding to an SP defender while on my Friday spot with 690AM's Eric Asher that obsolving one's behavoir with the phrase "as long as he wins on the field" makes that person feel bullet proof.
Which brings us to "bountygate". I don't believe, for one second, Saints players itentionally aimed to injure opposing players. Football is played by boys. Big boys. Bounties, side bets, etc is what boys do. I also don't believe for a milli-second that Kurt Warner or Bret Favre would have been treated any less harshly had their been no bounty. Those "incriminating" hits, played on a loop over and over and over, were clean. Especially Warner's. What I do believe, without a shadow of a doubt, is that Sean Payton is sitting out 2012 because of the cover up. The inside the lockeroom code of watching each others back. I get it. But lying to the face of Benson and Goodell displays a disconcerning lack of judgement and charactor. Should Payton have been suspended? Yes. But a bigger question is should he, Vitt and Loomis be fired?
Ask yourself this. If you made a public fool of your boss, where would you be the next day?
Cover ups. When will they learn.
When it was learned the NFL uncovered the Saints "pay for play" program in 2009, commisar Roger Goodell ordered, right then, coach Sean Payton to cease and desist immediately. Not only did Payton not desist, he proceeded to allow it to go on for two more seasons. Not only did he allow it to go on, but he lied to the NFL when asked if he had ceased the "PFP" program. Not only did he lie, but so did GM Mickey Loomis, and asst head coach Joe Vitt. Not only did they lie to the NFL, but they lied to owner Tom Benson. Not only lied to Benson, but hung him out to dry. Made him a public fool after Benson vouched for them by taking them at their word. Result? A round of suspensions so severe, it sent shockwaves through Whodat Nation and beyond. Even the commissar's own NFL network was in stunned disbelief with the heavy handidness of the ruling.
While there is outrage and anger toward Goodell among Saints faithful, perhaps they should aim their hostility at another target. Sean Payton, himself. He gave Goodell no choice.
Sean Payton has few peers as a head coach and program builder. He is one of those who just gets it. Possessing an uncanny eye for offensive talent, a knack for gameplaning and play calling ability, Payton has bulit the Saints into an NFL powerhouse. In six seasons, the Saints have four playoff appearances(including three in a row), two NFC championship games and of course a Super Bowl victory. But with all the good he has done, Payton continues display a dark side. See Vicaden and U-Haulgate. I took some heat when I came out against Payton's move to Dallas. "As long as he wins on the field, who cares if he lives 500 away", was the mantra of most Saints fans. I remember responding to an SP defender while on my Friday spot with 690AM's Eric Asher that obsolving one's behavoir with the phrase "as long as he wins on the field" makes that person feel bullet proof.
Which brings us to "bountygate". I don't believe, for one second, Saints players itentionally aimed to injure opposing players. Football is played by boys. Big boys. Bounties, side bets, etc is what boys do. I also don't believe for a milli-second that Kurt Warner or Bret Favre would have been treated any less harshly had their been no bounty. Those "incriminating" hits, played on a loop over and over and over, were clean. Especially Warner's. What I do believe, without a shadow of a doubt, is that Sean Payton is sitting out 2012 because of the cover up. The inside the lockeroom code of watching each others back. I get it. But lying to the face of Benson and Goodell displays a disconcerning lack of judgement and charactor. Should Payton have been suspended? Yes. But a bigger question is should he, Vitt and Loomis be fired?
Ask yourself this. If you made a public fool of your boss, where would you be the next day?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Colts Pushing Their Luck with Manning Release
"A can't miss prospect." "Amazing physically," "Can make plays with his arm and legs." "When he has time, there isn't a defense he can't pick apart." "Nearly 40 TDs and 70% completion his final tear in college"...a lock, right?
On Thursday, April 26, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will approach the podium at New York's Radio City Music Hall and say the following. "With the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts select Andrew Luck. Quarterback. Stanford.
Just like that, The Andrew Luck era will begin. Colts owner Jimmy Irsay greased the skids for this on March 7. Irsay is bankng that Peyton Mannings's surgically repaired neck has finished one of the greatest careers in NFL history. Irsay is also banking that Luck's arm will do for the Colts what Steve Young did for the 49ers. The last time an NFL legend was shown the door to make way for the next young gun.
Well good luck with that, Irsay! You two are now joined at the hip. Good or bad. Success or failure. It will be owned by both.
Luck isn't just following a good QB. He is following an insitution. Someone who is as revered by his fanbase as any player in the history of team sports. At least Manning had three decades, a relocation and the Art Schlichters and Jeff George's of the world between he and Unitas.
Irsay doesn't seemed concerned. NFL scouts, pundents, commentators and talking heads are singing the praises of Luck with accolades such as the ones at the beginning of this blog.
There's no doubt Luck had an outstanding career at Stanford. His final season was as good as it gets. However, Luck's skin and hide better be tough, cause the Colts are rebuildng and today's NFL fans are in no mood for rebuilding. Every incompletion, interception, sack, fumble, false start and holding penatly will be blamed on Luck and Irsay. By the end of the year, midwestern blizzards may be met with, "that never happened when Peyton was here". Luck will learn fast that there are no San Jose States on an NFL schedule. What he did in college means nothing. There is no such thing as a lock in the NFL. Those quotes above? They were about Jamarcus Russell when he was entering the draft.
Making matters worse for Irsay and Luck is that Manning will be doing that vintage line of scrimmage choreography for another team, poised to make a Super Bowl run. Every completion, first down, touchdown and victory will be negatively projected onto Luck and Irsay by Colts fans. Peyton will be everywhere in their world. In team meetings, board meetings, at training camp, at every road stadium and in their dreams. If they can sleep by then.
On the other hand if Luck succeeds, Irsay will be a genius with impeccable timing and Manning a wounded has been. But history is not on their side. Since 1998 QBs taken with the first pick and not named Manning have won zero Super Bowls. Two, Tim Couch and Russell, are out of the league, and David Carr flopped in Houston and is now a back up with the Giants. All had glowing scouting reports touting them as can't miss locks. None were replacing legends.
Good Luck with that, Irsay.
On Thursday, April 26, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will approach the podium at New York's Radio City Music Hall and say the following. "With the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts select Andrew Luck. Quarterback. Stanford.
Just like that, The Andrew Luck era will begin. Colts owner Jimmy Irsay greased the skids for this on March 7. Irsay is bankng that Peyton Mannings's surgically repaired neck has finished one of the greatest careers in NFL history. Irsay is also banking that Luck's arm will do for the Colts what Steve Young did for the 49ers. The last time an NFL legend was shown the door to make way for the next young gun.
Well good luck with that, Irsay! You two are now joined at the hip. Good or bad. Success or failure. It will be owned by both.
Luck isn't just following a good QB. He is following an insitution. Someone who is as revered by his fanbase as any player in the history of team sports. At least Manning had three decades, a relocation and the Art Schlichters and Jeff George's of the world between he and Unitas.
Irsay doesn't seemed concerned. NFL scouts, pundents, commentators and talking heads are singing the praises of Luck with accolades such as the ones at the beginning of this blog.
There's no doubt Luck had an outstanding career at Stanford. His final season was as good as it gets. However, Luck's skin and hide better be tough, cause the Colts are rebuildng and today's NFL fans are in no mood for rebuilding. Every incompletion, interception, sack, fumble, false start and holding penatly will be blamed on Luck and Irsay. By the end of the year, midwestern blizzards may be met with, "that never happened when Peyton was here". Luck will learn fast that there are no San Jose States on an NFL schedule. What he did in college means nothing. There is no such thing as a lock in the NFL. Those quotes above? They were about Jamarcus Russell when he was entering the draft.
Making matters worse for Irsay and Luck is that Manning will be doing that vintage line of scrimmage choreography for another team, poised to make a Super Bowl run. Every completion, first down, touchdown and victory will be negatively projected onto Luck and Irsay by Colts fans. Peyton will be everywhere in their world. In team meetings, board meetings, at training camp, at every road stadium and in their dreams. If they can sleep by then.
On the other hand if Luck succeeds, Irsay will be a genius with impeccable timing and Manning a wounded has been. But history is not on their side. Since 1998 QBs taken with the first pick and not named Manning have won zero Super Bowls. Two, Tim Couch and Russell, are out of the league, and David Carr flopped in Houston and is now a back up with the Giants. All had glowing scouting reports touting them as can't miss locks. None were replacing legends.
Good Luck with that, Irsay.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Sportyear 2012...How's it working out for ya?...so far
As a dyed in the wool genuine New Orleans football fan, I would like to request a redo on my 2012 new year's resolution. Celebrating an all Louisiana football championship will have to be put on hold at least another year. Dreaming of a parade featuring a Blain Kern designed mega-float with Drew Brees riding shotgun in the Champion's throne on one end and a giant paper mache Les Miles hoisting a crystal football into the air on the other is over. It has has morphed into that dream where I just keep falling and falling and falling...
After ending their season with a day after Christmas Falcons beatdown and ruining the Panthers' New Year's plane ride back to Carolina, the Saints entered the 2012 playoff season as the hottest team in the NFL. The offense was so hot, January's temperature rose. In fact, in the final three regular season games, the offense scored 42, 45 and 45 points. Almost every team and indivdual offensive record was broken. Drew Brees(passing yards), Jimmy Graham(receiving yards), Darren Sproles(total yards). Total offense, passing offense, first downs, third down and on and on and on. This, some experts gushed, is one of the greatest offense's of all time. On to the playoffs...
First up, Detroit and Mega Tron. No problem. Behind Brees' brilliance and timely stops and turnovers form the defense, the Saints pull away in the second half and win going away.
Next up, LSU-Bama and the BCS championship in the Dome. LSU's 2011 was the most dominant in the history of collge football. It started with blowing out the #3 Oregon Ducks and ended with neutering the #12 Georgia Bulldogs. They slayed top 10 team after top 10 team in between. In Death Valley, on the road, or on a nuetral field, it made no difference. The fighting Tigers displayed a brutal running attack supported by a passing game as efficient as a Steve Jobs power point presentation. The special teams were spectacular. The return game was surpassed only by the most influential punting in LSU history. But the icing on the cake, the feather in the cap and the creme dela creme was a 9-6 overtime victory over Alabama in Alabama over the newest greatest coach in the history of Alabama. And they meet again. This time in LSU's backyard. Home of the previous two LSU BCS Championships...
and falling and falling and falling...
Despite the devastatingly confusing loss in the BCS game, there's still the Saints. Next up, the 49ers. The Saints open well. Take the opening kickoff and drive right down the field just like they've done throughout 2011. On third and goal, Brees finds ole reliable #23 in the flat. He catches the ball, turns then sheds a tackle on his way to the endzone. Touchdown! Saints lead 7-0! That's what every Saints fan, football fan, casual sports fan and most 49er fans expected. However, Mr. Pierre Thomas meet Mr. Donte Whitner, he's here to dislodge you from the football. Violently. Result? The first of three momentum changing fumbles and two interceptions totaling five turnovers. That old Saints buggaboo. The dreaded turnover. The ONLY entity capable of slowing down the 2011 Saints offense.
Despite those turnovers, incredibly, thanks to a hall of fame catch and run by Jimmy Graham, the Saints find themselves in the lead! With less than a minute to play! The the 49ers backed up deep in their own territory. No way they can win this. The Saints will allow them to complete meaningess underneath passes in the middle of the field and chew up the clock. At best the Niners will get a lucky catch around the Saints forty and attempt a long FG to send the game to overtime. Time to start rooting for the Giants to upset the Packers tomorrow night then kick their butts on the way to Indianapolis...
...and falling and falling and falling...
Just to dig the jagged edge deeper, the Giants come through. The 9-7 Giants, a team the Saints humiliated just weeks before, beat the damn Packers, end the 49ers dream season, then strongarm New England and those Gisele hated receivers to win the Super Bowl.
Next you'll tell me LSU will lose the state's top two high school players to Alabama. The #3 player to Texas. That their prized recruit, the #1 rated high school QB in America, will be a no-show for early enrollment then show up for class at Notre Dame! What?!
Oh, and the Hornets, 4-21!
Oh 2012! Why have you forsaken us? Is this what the Mayans meant?
After ending their season with a day after Christmas Falcons beatdown and ruining the Panthers' New Year's plane ride back to Carolina, the Saints entered the 2012 playoff season as the hottest team in the NFL. The offense was so hot, January's temperature rose. In fact, in the final three regular season games, the offense scored 42, 45 and 45 points. Almost every team and indivdual offensive record was broken. Drew Brees(passing yards), Jimmy Graham(receiving yards), Darren Sproles(total yards). Total offense, passing offense, first downs, third down and on and on and on. This, some experts gushed, is one of the greatest offense's of all time. On to the playoffs...
First up, Detroit and Mega Tron. No problem. Behind Brees' brilliance and timely stops and turnovers form the defense, the Saints pull away in the second half and win going away.
Next up, LSU-Bama and the BCS championship in the Dome. LSU's 2011 was the most dominant in the history of collge football. It started with blowing out the #3 Oregon Ducks and ended with neutering the #12 Georgia Bulldogs. They slayed top 10 team after top 10 team in between. In Death Valley, on the road, or on a nuetral field, it made no difference. The fighting Tigers displayed a brutal running attack supported by a passing game as efficient as a Steve Jobs power point presentation. The special teams were spectacular. The return game was surpassed only by the most influential punting in LSU history. But the icing on the cake, the feather in the cap and the creme dela creme was a 9-6 overtime victory over Alabama in Alabama over the newest greatest coach in the history of Alabama. And they meet again. This time in LSU's backyard. Home of the previous two LSU BCS Championships...
and falling and falling and falling...
Despite the devastatingly confusing loss in the BCS game, there's still the Saints. Next up, the 49ers. The Saints open well. Take the opening kickoff and drive right down the field just like they've done throughout 2011. On third and goal, Brees finds ole reliable #23 in the flat. He catches the ball, turns then sheds a tackle on his way to the endzone. Touchdown! Saints lead 7-0! That's what every Saints fan, football fan, casual sports fan and most 49er fans expected. However, Mr. Pierre Thomas meet Mr. Donte Whitner, he's here to dislodge you from the football. Violently. Result? The first of three momentum changing fumbles and two interceptions totaling five turnovers. That old Saints buggaboo. The dreaded turnover. The ONLY entity capable of slowing down the 2011 Saints offense.
Despite those turnovers, incredibly, thanks to a hall of fame catch and run by Jimmy Graham, the Saints find themselves in the lead! With less than a minute to play! The the 49ers backed up deep in their own territory. No way they can win this. The Saints will allow them to complete meaningess underneath passes in the middle of the field and chew up the clock. At best the Niners will get a lucky catch around the Saints forty and attempt a long FG to send the game to overtime. Time to start rooting for the Giants to upset the Packers tomorrow night then kick their butts on the way to Indianapolis...
...and falling and falling and falling...
Just to dig the jagged edge deeper, the Giants come through. The 9-7 Giants, a team the Saints humiliated just weeks before, beat the damn Packers, end the 49ers dream season, then strongarm New England and those Gisele hated receivers to win the Super Bowl.
Next you'll tell me LSU will lose the state's top two high school players to Alabama. The #3 player to Texas. That their prized recruit, the #1 rated high school QB in America, will be a no-show for early enrollment then show up for class at Notre Dame! What?!
Oh, and the Hornets, 4-21!
Oh 2012! Why have you forsaken us? Is this what the Mayans meant?
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Two Games to Learn By
It's been four games since the St.Louis massacre and our beloved Saints find themselves with a two game lead in the NFC South division. Outside a collapse of Hasslonian proportions, the Saints have made the playoffs. The next four weeks will determine exactly who and where they play and how many playoff wins it will take to make it to the Super Bowl. All is good, right?
Well, maybe.
The next two games will reveal the toughest foe the Saints have faced all season.
Themselves.
Coming up are the Tennesee Titans(7-5) and Minnesota Vikings (2-10). On paper, two teams the Saints should beat.
But.
The Titans are the anit-Saints. They play outdoor December football. Well, this game will be outdoors and in December. They run, and they run and they run. Did I mention they run. Featuring the rounding into deadly form Chris Johnson, Tennessee has run themselves to within two games of QBless AFC South Division leader Houston Texans. Who, by the way they face on the final weekend of the season. In his last two games, the waterbug Johnson has rushed for 190 and 153 yards and 7.45 yards per carry. Before you say "eight in the box", the Titans can loosen up the defense with play-action throws from QB Matt Hasselback, yes, that Matt Hasseback. The former Seattle QB that lit up Roman Harper and the Saints defense in that humiliating playoff defeat last season. The Saints under Payton and Brees, have yet to prove they can beat a quality road opponent, outdoors, in cold weather.
The Vikings present another kind of challenge. That late season bete noir with nothing to lose. A noon kickoff with no national spotlight media fawning and fainting and oohing and aahing over the Saints high powered offense. No bright lights, no frenzied who dat'ers. Just a lazy Sunday afternoon in the land of a thousand lakes.
In my mind, there's no doubt the Saints are better than both teams. In my mind there's some doubt they can prove it. Remember the '06,'07 ,'08 games in cold Chicago. Think about the games against Arizona and Cleveland in '10. Or the Rams game a month ago. Heck they needed a miracle to win in DC in December during the Super Bowl season.
Brees' kryptonite has been cold weather and Payton's barren has been getting his team ready to face inferior opponents. In the next two games we will learn if either, neither or both have been overcome.
Well, maybe.
The next two games will reveal the toughest foe the Saints have faced all season.
Themselves.
Coming up are the Tennesee Titans(7-5) and Minnesota Vikings (2-10). On paper, two teams the Saints should beat.
But.
The Titans are the anit-Saints. They play outdoor December football. Well, this game will be outdoors and in December. They run, and they run and they run. Did I mention they run. Featuring the rounding into deadly form Chris Johnson, Tennessee has run themselves to within two games of QBless AFC South Division leader Houston Texans. Who, by the way they face on the final weekend of the season. In his last two games, the waterbug Johnson has rushed for 190 and 153 yards and 7.45 yards per carry. Before you say "eight in the box", the Titans can loosen up the defense with play-action throws from QB Matt Hasselback, yes, that Matt Hasseback. The former Seattle QB that lit up Roman Harper and the Saints defense in that humiliating playoff defeat last season. The Saints under Payton and Brees, have yet to prove they can beat a quality road opponent, outdoors, in cold weather.
The Vikings present another kind of challenge. That late season bete noir with nothing to lose. A noon kickoff with no national spotlight media fawning and fainting and oohing and aahing over the Saints high powered offense. No bright lights, no frenzied who dat'ers. Just a lazy Sunday afternoon in the land of a thousand lakes.
In my mind, there's no doubt the Saints are better than both teams. In my mind there's some doubt they can prove it. Remember the '06,'07 ,'08 games in cold Chicago. Think about the games against Arizona and Cleveland in '10. Or the Rams game a month ago. Heck they needed a miracle to win in DC in December during the Super Bowl season.
Brees' kryptonite has been cold weather and Payton's barren has been getting his team ready to face inferior opponents. In the next two games we will learn if either, neither or both have been overcome.
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