Pre Game Reflections

The Saints will host the NFC Championship for the first time ever Sunday.
Are we there yet?
As we make our way to the dome, I’ll be reflecting on the short 43 years it took the Saints to get to this point. I cast my loyalties with the Saints when I was just 14.
I’ll pause while you do that math.

I remember that first Sports Illustrated cover with QB Gary Cuozzo and RB Jim Taylor, the first of many past-their-prime acquisitions. They were a mistake we would eerily repeat later with Ken Stabler and Earl Campbell. It’s one of our traditions. Yes, I still have that SI. That is my first indelible image of the futility to follow.

Today, seven of our last eight first round picks are still on the roster. Prior to that, Saint draft futility was legendary. Of what other franchise can you say that many of our late round picks and free agents became our best players, while the first rounders faded into oblivion?

Favorite Saints like Al Dodd, Rich Mauti, Jeff Groth, Danny Abramowicz, Michael Lewis, Sam Mills, Joe Horn and Mel Gray were under-sized and under-talented, but over-hearted, and outperformed the likes of Les Kelly, Larry Burton, Rick Middleton, and so many others who disappeared having barely left a trace.

For every George Rogers there was a Craig Heywood. For every Stan Brock there was a Jonathan Sullivan. For every Wayne Martin there was a Shawn Knight. For every Willie Roaf there was an Alvin Toles . For every Wes Chandler there was a Lindsay Scott. There was Ricky Williams keeping his helmet on for interviews. He needed to hide after Mike Ditka traded away every draft pick for him, an unnecessary disaster of epic proportions.

There was a succession of head coaches that never stood a chance as they were over matched and under resourced. Many fit the past their prime profile – Ditka, Hank Stram, Bum Phillips, Dick Nolan. The rest were pretty much clueless.

There were the players we cut loose that went on to Super Bowls, like Billy Kilmer, Kerry Collins, George Rogers, John Gilliam, Jake Delhomme, Darren Howard, Ricky Jackson, Stan Brock, and Tony Galbreath.

There was the mostly successful inclination to enlist LSU Tigers like Ken Bordelon, Dalton Hilliard, Hokie Gajan, Eric Martin, Brett Bech, Eddie Kennison, and Devery Henderson. Let it be said that the most successful Tiger pros have worn the black and gold.

Sure, there have been highlights. Ricky Williams wreaking havoc, and his great linebacking crew of Vaughn Johnson, Mills, and Pat Swilling. Hilliard and briefly, Rueben Mayes. Rogers. Jim Finks and Jim Mora bringing some respectability to town. Jim Haslett, before he got distracted by a cheerleader. Willie Roaf and Joe Horn, until they got distracted by each other.

There was the blocked punt. There was the fumbled punt. There was the field goal. There was the opening kick off run return, There was Deuce, and Tommy, and La’Roi, and Hoby, and Thunder and Lightening. Jake, Morten, Terry, Henry, The Flea, and Derland.

There was Archie. I still remember his first game as a rookie when he ran for the winning score. He spent the rest of his career running for his life. I thought he was going to revolutionize the QB position with his mobility. Well, he didn’t, anymore than did Randall Cunningham, Michael Vick, or any of the other scramblers that have come and gone since. Ironic that he raised two Super Bowl winning QB’s who stand like statues in the pocket. I remember (stupidly) hoping that the Saints wouldn’t draft Peyton or Eli because I didn’t want to see another Manning bouncing off the Superdome floor.

Our most intense rivalry was with the hated Atlanta Falcons, fueled by several late 70’s last second losses on fluke plays, hail mary’s, and phantom pass interference calls.

Assistant coaches? What other fanbase can hate a coordinator as much as we did Carl Smith and Rick Venturi.

I can remember Sundays in Michigan when I had to rely on ESPN and NFL Primetime to show me a few miserly highlights. This was before the Internet and NFL Sunday Ticket. Those were bleak days.

But, nothing is more indicative of the Saints image than that of 2 people I can still see face down on the turf. The second was Mike Ditka after the Saints had been beaten by a hail mary by Tim Couch of the Cleveland Browns. It was practically the only pass he ever completed. Ditka fell to the Superdome floor face down in disbelief, and just laid there, outcoached again.

It brought back bad memories of the Saints all-time worst draft pick, Russell Erxleben.
He was a kicker from Texas that the Saints drafted in 1979 with the thought being that this college super-kicker could both punt and kick field goals, as well as serve as back up Quarterback. Turned out he could do none of the above. In fact in his first game as a rookie, he threw an interception in overtime that lost the game, after a snap sailed over his head. After missing another in a series of potential game winners, he fell to the turf face down, the image of a inept franchise. He later served time for securities fraud. Way too late in the eyes of Saint's fans. Google him if you don’t believe me.

So, I'm ready to start our pre-game warmups. You see, down here we stretch in the French Quarter. Our pre-game meals are at Mother's. Our pre-game meetings are at Pat O'briens.

We're unique. We may have worn bags, but we've never given up. It’s our turn. Drew, Reggie, Marques, Sean, Will, Darren. We deserve a Steeler-esque run of 20 years of contention. It’s already begun, with our second appearance in the NFC championship game in 4 years. May there be many more.
We’ve certainly earned it.
We’ve waited.
We’ve endured.
It’s time.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/saints/2010-01-21-new-orleans-cover_N.htm