Imperfect Saints

Let me start by saying congratulations to the New Orleans Saints for their advancement to the 2010 National Football League World Championship. Their efforts all season have been nothing short of amazing. The transition they made from the less than inspiring performance of the last couple years into a true juggernaut was testament to the incredible players and coaches there. Lead by maybe the rightful Most Valuable Player Drew Breeze, and a next generation Dick Vermeil in Shaun Peyton, I felt honored to watch you all season. But with that being said, allow me to also say that the best team is not advancing to the Super Bowl in Miami. I know a lot of people would argue with me about the two points that I am going to make, but I think it gives justification to a point I made in an earlier blog I wrote “Super Bust”.

The first point I will make is that it took five turn overs by the Minnesota Viking, including two fumbles they manage to recover, and overtime to win a playoff game at home. I know most of you are screaming that “that’s part of football, not turning the ball over”, and I agree. But if you have a plus four turnover margin at home in the playoffs, you should crush the other team. Not narrowly win in overtime. But I see your point.

Next, I will cite the atrocious calls in during the last drive. It took a questionable spot and a phantom pass interference call, to name two, just to get the Saints into scoring position. How is that possible considering the above mentioned turnover ratio. That’s two merciless in one game.
And my last point. As mentioned above (“Super Bust”), my article addresses the issue of the NFL being the only major group sport in which there is a single game played to decide the champion, not a series. If the same game was played ten more times, the Viking win. It took all the saints had, and some help, to beat the worst the Vikings had to offer.

By: Matthew Walden