FoxPerez
02-08-2010, 07:05 PM
Originally posted here: http://tinyurl.com/superbowlguts
One of the smartest calls in Super Bowl history was one that failed on paper, but it was gutsy and showed that the New Orleans Saints would not settle for anything against the Colts and it set the tone for the rest of the game. Sean Payton pulled out all the stops on Sunday, and that's why the Saints are being celebrated as champs.
Everyone is talking about the onside kick that New Orleans recovered to start the 2nd half, but what set the tone happened with less than two minutes left in the 1st half.
The Saints could have kicked a field goal to cut Indy's seven point lead down to four... But that would mean that New Orleans would have to kick off back to the Colts giving Peyton Manning a chance to go likely less than 80 yards to score one more time.
What happens if the Saints kick the field goal? If you've watched the Colts this season, the most likely scenario is Manning driving the field for a touchdown after getting the kickoff. If the Saints kick the field goal, they net an increaase in their halftime deficit. A touchdown means that, at worst, they be right back to a seven point deficit again.
But what some people still don't realize is that going for it was a win-win situation. Sure, if the Colts get the stop, their defense celebrates for a little bit, but the offense now has to go 99 yards for a score with the clock working against them.
And that's what happened. Though the Saints got stuffed, the Colts immediately went three-and-out and punted back to the Saints, who eventually got their field goal and had a chance at a touchdown. Essentially, the Saints found a way to get their field goal PLUS drain time off the clock so Manning couldn't get one more score before the break.
It also sent a message to the team. He was letting them know that they weren't going to settle. They were playing to win. He let his offense know that he had confidence in them and let his defense know that he trusted them to make a stop.
That 4th down call set the tone for the rest of the game. After the way he coached the end of the 1st half, trusting his team to take the game and win it, there was no doubt that everyone would be on the same page when he called the surprise onside kick.
Inspired and fired up, the Saints recovered and drove for a touchdown and their first lead of the game. They scored on every offensive possession of the 2nd half and the defense allowed just seven points, forced a missed field goal, and ran back an interception for a touchdown. They kept Peyton Manning from taking control of the game, gave the offense great field position, and put the game away.
So when people keep talking about the first onside kick before the 4th quarter in Super Bowl history, remember that it couldn't have happened without the risks that the Saints took at the end of the 1st half. And that's why the Saints are Super Bowl champs.
For more Super Bowl thoughts and the original post click here: http://tinyurl.com/superbowlguts
One of the smartest calls in Super Bowl history was one that failed on paper, but it was gutsy and showed that the New Orleans Saints would not settle for anything against the Colts and it set the tone for the rest of the game. Sean Payton pulled out all the stops on Sunday, and that's why the Saints are being celebrated as champs.
Everyone is talking about the onside kick that New Orleans recovered to start the 2nd half, but what set the tone happened with less than two minutes left in the 1st half.
The Saints could have kicked a field goal to cut Indy's seven point lead down to four... But that would mean that New Orleans would have to kick off back to the Colts giving Peyton Manning a chance to go likely less than 80 yards to score one more time.
What happens if the Saints kick the field goal? If you've watched the Colts this season, the most likely scenario is Manning driving the field for a touchdown after getting the kickoff. If the Saints kick the field goal, they net an increaase in their halftime deficit. A touchdown means that, at worst, they be right back to a seven point deficit again.
But what some people still don't realize is that going for it was a win-win situation. Sure, if the Colts get the stop, their defense celebrates for a little bit, but the offense now has to go 99 yards for a score with the clock working against them.
And that's what happened. Though the Saints got stuffed, the Colts immediately went three-and-out and punted back to the Saints, who eventually got their field goal and had a chance at a touchdown. Essentially, the Saints found a way to get their field goal PLUS drain time off the clock so Manning couldn't get one more score before the break.
It also sent a message to the team. He was letting them know that they weren't going to settle. They were playing to win. He let his offense know that he had confidence in them and let his defense know that he trusted them to make a stop.
That 4th down call set the tone for the rest of the game. After the way he coached the end of the 1st half, trusting his team to take the game and win it, there was no doubt that everyone would be on the same page when he called the surprise onside kick.
Inspired and fired up, the Saints recovered and drove for a touchdown and their first lead of the game. They scored on every offensive possession of the 2nd half and the defense allowed just seven points, forced a missed field goal, and ran back an interception for a touchdown. They kept Peyton Manning from taking control of the game, gave the offense great field position, and put the game away.
So when people keep talking about the first onside kick before the 4th quarter in Super Bowl history, remember that it couldn't have happened without the risks that the Saints took at the end of the 1st half. And that's why the Saints are Super Bowl champs.
For more Super Bowl thoughts and the original post click here: http://tinyurl.com/superbowlguts