It's A Brees

Friends,

Well...not really. But, the way Drew Brees played, you would think so...at least from his efforts in Super Bowl XLIV (44). Brees, originally from Texas, had the second most efficient day (going 32-39) for a QB in Super Bowl history in leading the Saints to victory, 31-17. This is not too bad for a quarterback that no team, except the Saints, even really wanted five years ago because of a devastating injury to his shoulder the year before. So, even though the Saints quickly started down 10-0 in the 1st quarter to the Peyton Manning led Colts, Brees and coach Sean Payton just seemed to be on a mission...and they were not going to be denied. In fact, after they were down 10-3 in the 2nd quarter, they were stuffed at the goal line on a 4th down, not getting the score to tie the game. Nevertheless, I leaned over to a friend and said -- I really believe that they are just getting started. One could tell that they had overcome their 1st quarter jitters and had the offense on a roll. In fact the defense stepped up on the next series of plays and stopped Manning and the Colts offense with a three and out just before half-time. Brees and the Saints offense promptly moved the ball into field goal position and got the three points to make it 10-6 at half time. I really think that three series set was the key to the game. I am going to take a moment to give big props to rookie kicker, Garrett Hartley, who is also from Texas. :-) If not for Brees being nearly perfect, Hartley would have been the game MVP with three field goals of 40+ yards...which was the first time this had been done in Super Bowl history -- very impressive. Payton coached a bold and masterful game; he was out to do whatever it would take to win, and he did so...and he looked like a genius doing it. His attempting the first onside kick in Super Bowl history to start the second half was huge! The recovery of the kick just seemed to set the momentum for the entire second half. On the other side, Manning did not necessarily play poorly, but he certainly was not a clutch performer...nor did he get a lot of help from Reggie Wayne, among others. Unfortunately for Manning, the lasting memory related to his Super Bowl will be a costly pick 6 near the end of the game that sealed the game for the Saints. But, enough about the Colts :-)...the Saints flat out won this game. And this win is a big lift for the city of New Orleans and, indeed, the entire state of Louisiana. Finally, it was great to hear Brees acknowledge the Lord in His life...and just made it seem appropriate for the guy who leads a team called the Saints. How could a believer not feel good about this team? Blessings,

Don