NFL Nation: SB 44 Rapid Reaction
Rapid Reaction: Saints 31, Colts 17
February, 7, 2010
2/07/10
9:59
PM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
MIAMI – For a good while it all seemed within reach:
The spot in the conversation with the Patriots and Steelers as the premier franchises in the sport.
The boost to Peyton Manning’s legacy with the coveted second ring.
The Lombardi Trophy for rookie head coach Jim Caldwell.
But a team that mastered the fourth-quarter comeback in the regular season couldn’t muster one at Sun Life Stadium. And rather than solidifying its status, it watched another team break through.
With a 31-17 win, the New Orleans Saints are Super Bowl champions, and the Colts have to come to terms with missing out in a game they tried to win for the first time all season.
The game might have given us the first overtime in Super Bowl history, but on a third-and-5 and the Colts trying to drive for the the tying score, Peyton Manning made a poor throw for Reggie Wayne against a blitz. Cornerback Tracy Porter jumped it, grabbed it and took it 74 yards for a touchdown.
It was the only turnover of the game, and clinched it for the Saints who got a marvelous performance from Drew Brees. He solidified his spot in the conversation of the best quarterbacks in the league right now, and did his part to keep alive the criticism of Manning’s big-game prowess.
I’m certain the Colts will graciously offer congratulations. It’s a team led by classy people.
Then they will kick themselves for months, probably a calendar year’s worth of them. For some, maybe a lot longer than that.
The spot in the conversation with the Patriots and Steelers as the premier franchises in the sport.
The boost to Peyton Manning’s legacy with the coveted second ring.
The Lombardi Trophy for rookie head coach Jim Caldwell.
But a team that mastered the fourth-quarter comeback in the regular season couldn’t muster one at Sun Life Stadium. And rather than solidifying its status, it watched another team break through.
With a 31-17 win, the New Orleans Saints are Super Bowl champions, and the Colts have to come to terms with missing out in a game they tried to win for the first time all season.
The game might have given us the first overtime in Super Bowl history, but on a third-and-5 and the Colts trying to drive for the the tying score, Peyton Manning made a poor throw for Reggie Wayne against a blitz. Cornerback Tracy Porter jumped it, grabbed it and took it 74 yards for a touchdown.
It was the only turnover of the game, and clinched it for the Saints who got a marvelous performance from Drew Brees. He solidified his spot in the conversation of the best quarterbacks in the league right now, and did his part to keep alive the criticism of Manning’s big-game prowess.
I’m certain the Colts will graciously offer congratulations. It’s a team led by classy people.
Then they will kick themselves for months, probably a calendar year’s worth of them. For some, maybe a lot longer than that.
Rapid Reaction: Saints 31, Colts 17
February, 7, 2010
2/07/10
9:52
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
MIAMI –- Mardi Gras can start early on Bourbon Street.
The New Orleans Saints have won the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Second-year cornerback Tracy Porter had a huge interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter Sunday night as the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV at Sun Life Stadium.
Porter’s interception gave the Saints a 31-17 lead with 3:05 remaining. Porter jumped a route and picked off a pass by New Orleans native Peyton Manning that was intended for Reggie Wayne.
That gave the Saints a lead that was too big for even Manning to overcome.
The victory not only gave New Orleans its first championship in any major sport, but also validated Sean Payton and Drew Brees. The victory gives Payton a Super Bowl title and a trip to another NFC Championship Game in his first four seasons. That should move him into the league’s list of elite coaches.
Even more so, the victory clearly puts Brees at the top of his field. He had been mentioned with Manning and New England’s Tom Brady as one of the top quarterbacks in recent years. But the argument against Brees always was that he lacked a Super Bowl ring.
That argument is over because Brees now will have a Super Bowl ring and the city of New Orleans and the Gulf region, which was so crushed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, has something to celebrate.
No need to wait for Mardi Gras.
I'm heading to do interviews. Will be back with lots more in a bit.
The New Orleans Saints have won the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Second-year cornerback Tracy Porter had a huge interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter Sunday night as the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV at Sun Life Stadium.
Porter’s interception gave the Saints a 31-17 lead with 3:05 remaining. Porter jumped a route and picked off a pass by New Orleans native Peyton Manning that was intended for Reggie Wayne.
That gave the Saints a lead that was too big for even Manning to overcome.
The victory not only gave New Orleans its first championship in any major sport, but also validated Sean Payton and Drew Brees. The victory gives Payton a Super Bowl title and a trip to another NFC Championship Game in his first four seasons. That should move him into the league’s list of elite coaches.
Even more so, the victory clearly puts Brees at the top of his field. He had been mentioned with Manning and New England’s Tom Brady as one of the top quarterbacks in recent years. But the argument against Brees always was that he lacked a Super Bowl ring.
That argument is over because Brees now will have a Super Bowl ring and the city of New Orleans and the Gulf region, which was so crushed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, has something to celebrate.
No need to wait for Mardi Gras.
I'm heading to do interviews. Will be back with lots more in a bit.
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