Saints Nation: Tony Dungy Is My New Worst Enemy

Check out what Tony Dungy (pictured) had to say about the SuperBowl HERE. Apparently he thinks the game will be a blow out, and that the Saints have no chance. My favorite quotes:

"I think they're going to be so far ahead that people are going to say, 'Oh, ho-hum'"

"I don't think it's going to be close."

"Minnesota is playing in New Orleans, they turn the ball over five times, have two or three stupid penalties and still lose in overtime, I don't see how it's going to be close. The Colts aren't going to turn it over seven times."

First off - how is Tony Dungy's opinion of any credibility whatsoever? Could you possibly find any brain on this earth that lacks more objectivity? Should we interview Thomas Morstead's mom and post an ESPN article getting her opinion on how the SuperBowl will turn out? Seriously, this article is ridiculous and ESPN should be ashamed of posting it. That's like asking Bobby Hebert what's better between a shrimp po-boy and an Idaho potato.

Furthermore, since when can you use one game as a sample size to fuel your arguments? Ok fine Tony, I can play this game too. The Colts beat the Patriots 35-34, and they should have lost the game. It took a miraculous ending and a boneheaded 4th down coaching decision by Bill Belichick to give the Colts the victory. Weird, because the Saints played that same Pats team and beat them 38-17. That's right, they scored more against them than the Colts did and they gave up less points. Based on that, I just don't see how it can be close. I think, personally, the Saints will be so far ahead that people will say "ho-hum". Thanks, Tony, for your opinion that's worth about exactly nothing.

In case you didn't get enough of a laugh out of Tony Dungy's comments, then I suggest you go here. You can read about how Michael Vick thinks he's "still a top 10 NFL QB". Let's not forget, coincidentally, that Vick's adviser happens to be Tony Dungy. I think his credibility just took another hit.

Saints Nation: New Contract for Drew Brees?

ESPN released an article late last night that can be read HERE, and it talks about a new deal being in the works for quarterback Drew Brees. If you've been paying attention to the ridiculously exorbitant contracts that Carson Palmer, Eli Manning, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and others have received in recent years - it's more than fair to say that Brees is due for a major pay raise. While I knew he wasn't getting the kind of money similar to those guys, I was shocked to learn his salary is actually 17th among NFL quarterbacks. Anything less than a top 5 contract for that guy is obviously ridiculous, though we have to of course take into account that New Orleans is not a big market economy like Washington, New York or the Boston area. Still, anything that rightfully compensates the player who in my mind has cemented his status as the best player in Saints' history is a good thing. Also, at 31, Brees likely has quite a few years left at the peak of his game. No time like the present to lock this guy up for the remainder of his career.

Saints Nation: Sean Payton has Created a Winning Culture in New Orleans Thanks to His Willingness to Change

It hasn't been a smooth ride during 4 seasons in New Orleans for head coach Sean Payton, but one thing that's undeniable is that he was the right hire for the Saints back in 2006. Back then the Saints were wavering between Payton and Maurice Carthon as the heir to Jim Haslett, and who knows where the team would be with Carthon? Would Drew Brees even be the team's quarterback? While Payton has earned the label of an offensive genius, showcasing the top offense three out of four seasons in New Orleans (was #3 overall the other year), I've been most impressed with his adaptability. A lot of times when head coaches have success, they get hard headed about making changes. Having the humility to look at your failures and make necessary changes is as important as knowing what it takes to have success.

The perfect example of someone who fell into the trap of refusing to admit fault was former Saints head coach Jim Haslett. Haslett's very first team went 10-6, won the NFC South, and gave the Saints their first ever playoff victory over the Rams. After a dazzling first season, things looked on the up and up for the Saints. Successful defensive coordinator Ron Zook took off to Florida, though, and left his job in the hands of Haslett's mentor and loyal sidekick Rick Venturi. By all accounts Venturi was a respected football mind that Haslett valued greatly, but for whatever reason it never translated on the field. The Saints finished the Haslett era with several mediocre seasons and woeful defensive performances, and never reclaimed the magic they had in their first year.

Fast forward to the Sean Payton era, where things got off to the same rosy start. An NFC South division title, and the Saints' first ever trip to the NFC Championship. Like Haslett's teams, though, the next two seasons were plagued by abysmal defensive seasons behind coordinator Gary Gibbs which turned the previously top shot Saints into a mediocre team that couldn't stop anyone. The difference, unlike Haslett, is that Payton made a very difficult personal and professional decision that paid dividends this past offseason. He saw the mistakes he made in showcasing Reggie Bush as the primary runner, allowing Gary Gibbs to run the defense, getting rid of John Carney for a stronger leg, and trusting the eventual growth of struggling young players. So before 2009, Payton committed himself to improving the Saints' offensive balance and run game by giving Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell more reps, he fired Gary Gibbs in favor of defensive guru Gregg Williams, he brought back John Carney and developed a kicker we can trust in Garrett Hartley (getting rid of Olinde Mare and Martin Grammatica - no telling how long Haslett would have stuck with them as stubborn as he is), and he signed Darren Sharper despite his age to provide playmaking experience on the back end. Look how all those decisions have paid off. In short, he's transformed his squad from "mediocre" into the NFC's best team in one season. This is all because he was willing to make the decisions and sacrifices that Haslett was never humble enough to make. Sometimes installing a winning culture is about being open to criticism and change, because the NFL is competitive enough that you're not going to be successful long term by being stubborn. So while Sean Payton should be applauded and respected for his uncanny talent to design a premiere offense, I'm most thankful that the coach can recognize mistakes and act accordingly. Comparisons to Jim Haslett after this season can now die forever.

Saints Nation: Saints Bus Greeted By Familiar Faces

The Saints players that were already in Miami for the Pro Bowl were waiting for their teammates to join them, so they dressed up as hotel staff and hauled their teammates bags off the bus when they arrived. I guess they were just trying to gain brownie points with the "lesser known" players on the team. Drew Brees commented that it was Sean Payton's idea, an idea the coach got from Bill Walsh. Pretty funny!

Saints Nation Fans Have Spoken: Will Smith Biggest Saint Pro Bowl Snub

It was a tight race amongst the Saints Pro Bowl snubs, but Saints Nation voted Will Smith as the biggest snub with 35% of the vote. The others receiving votes were Marques Colston (22%), Pierre Thomas (19%), Jabari Greer (13%) and Roman Harper (9%). In a word: Will Smith was "robbed"! Not that it mattered, anyway, because SuperBowl players are no longer eligible for the game.

Thanks for your participation in the Saints Nation Poll! There's a new poll now on the right side of site. Please weigh in on the most memorable regular season win of 2009!

Saints Nation: Drew Brees on Fox & Friends (courtesy of Joshua Joffrion)

Saints Nation: SuperBowl Week is Underway, Dwight Freeney's Injury Revealed

Much is already being made out of the Drew Brees vs. Peyton Manning showdown. You'd think there's 2 players playing instead of 106. The hype is fair, though, since Brees and Manning are arguably the two best at their position and they're so critical to their respective team's success.

The Saints landed in Miami today and held their first practice on the SuperBowl site today. The biggest news to emerge so far is the injury to Dwight Freeney, publicly disclosed as a torn ligament in his right ankle. He's officially listed as questionable, though his playing given the injury is in serious question. Should he play, it has to be assumed his performance will be seriously affected. This of course bodes well for the Saints. 6 days and counting...