Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (SportsXchange) ― Inside Slant

When the Saints were undefeated in early December, quarterback Drew Brees didn't mind envisioning a certain game in early February in which he and Peyton Manning, his counterpart from the then-unbeaten Indianapolis Colts, met with the NFL title on the line.

What would have been an unprecedented matchup in Super Bowl XLIV didn't materialize, of course, when the Saints dropped their last three games of the regular season and the Colts finished with back-to-back losses.

But while both teams stumbled a little in the end, Brees still got his wish. His Saints (15-3) and Manning's Colts (16-2) will play for the Vince Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night in Sun Life Stadium.

Brees certainly wanted the matchup, which was also highly anticipated by fans as the playoffs went on.

But when Super Bowl week finally arrived, Brees made sure to let it be known that he doesn't want it to be about him against Manning, who was named the league's MVP for a record fourth time this season.

"That's exactly the trap I'm not going to fall into, which is trying to keep up with Peyton," Brees said. "I know that Peyton is going to make his plays, and he's going to be Peyton. That just means that I need to be me.

"It's me and my offense against their defense and vice versa," added Brees, the consummate team captain and leader. "Certainly, I have a lot of respect for Peyton and what he's been able to accomplish. But it's not me against Peyton."

What Brees was trying to get across was that the Saints will need more than just him to beat the Colts. At the same time, they also have to make sure they don't fall into the trap of just being happy about being there.

That means the Saints will have to rely on the motto they adopted after losing so many close games one year ago and finished 8-8 following a 7-9 season in 2007.

All season, the players have worn T-shirts and bracelets that reminded them to "Finish Strong." Now, it applies to the final game, and the season as a whole.

"We're definitely not finished," defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis said after the Saints advanced to the Super Bowl. "Even though we have made a lot of strides and did a lot of great things this year, we still have one more goal."

"We'll have to put one of our best games together again like we've been doing all year," All-Pro guard Jahri Evans said. "We've got to stay calm, keep our composure, and just handle the game as it comes to us."

SERIES HISTORY: 11th all-time meeting, all in regular-season play. The teams split the first 10 matchups with the Colts ripping the Saints in the last two games. The Colts rolled to a 55-21 victory in the Superdome in 2003 and then took an easy 41-10 win in the RCA Dome in the 2007 season opener. Prior to that, the Saints had won five straight in the series.


Notes, Quotes

Sunday's game between the Saints and Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV will mark only the third time - and the first since 1993 - that the No. 1 seeds from the NFC and AFC will meet in the title game under the current playoff format.

Since 1990, when the postseason field was expanded to include six teams from each conference, the only years the top seeds advanced were in the 1991 and '93 seasons.

In 1991, the Washington Redskins defeated the Buffalo Bills, 37-24, in Super Bowl XXVI. Two years later, the Dallas Cowboys topped the Bills, 30-13, in Super Bowl XXVII.

-The Colts (14-2) and Saints (13-3) combined for 27 victories in the regular season, which is tied for third-most among the Super Bowl participants in the 43-year history of the title game.

The most wins by two teams is 29 by the San Francisco 49ers (15) and Miami Dolphins (14) in Super Bowl XIX. The Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons combined to win 28 games, 14 for each team, prior to their meeting in Super Bowl XXXIII.

The Colts and Saints are tied with the New England Patriots (14) and Philadelphia Eagles (13) in Super Bowl XXXIX and the Washington Redskins (14) and Buffalo Bills (13) in Super Bowl XXVI.

-Saints quarterback Drew Brees on Wednesday was named the winner of the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year Award for the third time in four seasons.

Brees this time beat out Peyton Manning of the Colts and Brett Favre of the Minnesota Vikings in an online vote of NFL fans. Brees also won in 2006 and 2008.

Because Brees was at practice Wednesday, wife Brittany accepted the award. She also picked up a check for $25,000 for the Safe Kids Coalition in New Orleans. Safe Kids is a national organization that works to prevent accidental injury among children.

-The players who block for Brees earned some recognition of their own Wednesday when they won the inaugural Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award.

Tackles Jermon Bushrod and Jon Stinchcomb, center Jonathan Goodwin, and guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks won over the offensive lines from Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Tennessee and the New York Jets.

"That's a good award and an award for the whole offense, really, just like any other award," Saints offensive line coach Aaron Kromer said. "Drew avoids sacks. The offensive line does a nice job protecting, the running backs do a nice job pass protecting, and Drew gets it out.

"The receivers understand the timing of routes, so it's the whole offense. That goes from (coach) Sean Payton down to the last guy on offense."

-During Media Day on Tuesday, Saints kicker Garrett Hartley told how his life has changed since his 40-yard field goal in overtime beat the Minnesota Vikings, 31-28, in the NFC title game and locked up the Saints' first Super Bowl appearance.

Hartley said it's been funny, especially when he's recognized in a New Orleans-area restaurant and gets a standing ovation on his way out.

"It really just tickles me to death how they perceive me now," Hartley added. "But at the same time, how would people have perceived me if things didn't work out that way? That's how I keep myself on an even keel."

-Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who announced his retirement last week, apparently isn't bitter about having his career end with a loss to the Saints in a divisional playoff game on Jan. 16.

Warner, a future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, wished the Saints luck for the rest of the playoffs by sending the coaching staff a box of Fairy Tale Brownies before they defeated the Vikings.

Saints coach Sean Payton said they received another box of brownies from Warner last Friday. He said Warner explained that they were good luck for the game with the Vikings, so he sent another.

"He's a first-class person," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "He's had a special career. I think this league's better having had a Kurt Warner play in it."

-Payton and Brees will be among those recognized during the NFL Alumni Player of the Year Awards Dinner on Friday night in Hollywood, Fla.

The event honors the top offensive, defensive and special teams players, as well as the coach of the year in the NFL. Payton was chosen as the league's top coach and Brees was voted the season's top quarterback by former NFL players.

Each honoree will receive his award from a Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee although Payton and Brees will not be able to attend because they'll be just two days away from Super Bowl XLIV.

BY THE NUMBERS: 21 - NFL coaches that have won the Super Bowl in their first appearance. Saints coach Sean Payton or Colts coach Jim Caldwell will join the club with a win Sunday night in Super Bowl XLIV. It will mark the fourth straight year that a coach will win in his first try.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't know what I should have said. Maybe I should've said we're going to blow him kisses or send him a Valentine's Day card, or something like that. But I don't know that would have been the right message to send to the defensive guys that I have." - Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, on the controversy created when he said that his team will have to get heavy pressure on Colts quarterback Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLIV.

Strategy, Personnel

The Saints may have to do some shuffling in their secondary once again for Super Bowl XLIV depending on cornerback Randall Gay's foot injury.

Gay, who plays mostly in the nickel and dime alignments, hurt his foot in the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings. He was able to participate in Wednesday's practice on a limited basis.

If they do have to make some changes, it's nothing new to the Saints' secondary, which had to play the second half of the season with one or both of their starting cornerbacks out.

PLAYER NOTES

-RB Lynell Hamilton, a reserve who plays primarily on special teams, did not practice Wednesday because of a left ankle injury and his availability for Super Bowl XLIV was not known.

-TE Jeremy Shockey, who's been battling a right knee injury, was limited Wednesday when the Saints returned to work for Sunday's game. His status for the game was unknown, but he is expected to play

-RDE Will Smith, who came out of the NFC Championship Game with a groin injury, worked on a limited basis Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday.

-CB Randall Gay was limited in Wednesday's practice because of a foot injury and it was not known if he'll be ready to go Sunday.

-FS Darren Sharper, who has been given some rest late in the season because of a sore knee, was limited Wednesday but should be ready for Sunday.

-MLB Jonathan Vilma participated on a limited basis Wednesday because of knee soreness but should be able to play in Super Bowl XLIV.

-LDE Bobby McCray was limited on Wednesday with back and ankle injuries and his availability for Sunday was not known, although he is expected to play.

-SS Pierson Prioleau worked limited Wednesday because of a quadriceps problem but is expected to play Sunday.

-CB Malcolm Jenkins, who has a hamstring injury, was limited Wednesday and his availability for Sunday's game was not known.

-WR/KR Courtney Roby injured his right knee on a kickoff return late in the NFC Championship Game and was limited Wednesday. His status for the Colts was not known.

-T Zach Strief was limited Wednesday because of a shoulder injury, but should be ready for Sunday's game.

GAME PLAN: Even though many people are expecting a wide-open passing game from both teams in Super Bowl XLIV, the Saints might try to put their sixth-ranked rushing offense to work against the Colts, who ranked 24th in the regular season in allowing 126.5 yards per game and an average of 4.3 yards per carry. But the Colts will have something to say about that after allowing their two playoff foes to average 86.5 rushing yards per game. They held the New York Jets, who had the best rushing game in the league this season, to 86 yards and a 3.0 average in the AFC Championship Game. Defensively, the Saints, who came up with 46 takeaways in 18 games, will have to get at least a couple to stay in the game.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Saints CBs Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter vs. Colts QB Peyton Manning. The last time these teams met in the 2007 season opener, Manning simply roasted the Saints' secondary. He was 18-of-30 for 288 yards and three TDs and it could have been worse if the Colts hadn't jumped out to a big lead in their eventual 41-10 victory. Greer and Porter weren't around then, so the Saints have to hope they're up to the task, which they have been most of the season, against Manning and top-notch receivers Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon.

Saints RBs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush vs. Colts front seven. The Saints will have to run the football against the Colts to be successful, so a mixture of flash and dash with Thomas and Bush could be what Sean Payton orders up. They've complemented each other quite well in the playoffs and picking up some tough yards against a smallish Colts' front seven - except for the defensive tackles - could make a big difference.

Saints RT Jon Stinchcomb vs. Colts LDE Robert Mathis. Stinchcomb, a solid four-year starter, made the Pro Bowl this season for the first time. He'll have to come up big against Mathis, who will try to pick up the slack if right end Dwight Freeney can't play because of a ligament problem in his ankle. The 245-pound Mathis could be a big problem for Stinchcomb with his speed-rushing ability. He had 9.5 sacks this season and five forced fumbles.

INJURY IMPACT: TE Jeremy Shockey hopes to play in the Super Bowl despite a knee injury, but his snaps could be limited as they were in the last two playoff games.

-TE David Thomas should get extra snaps if Shockey continues to be plagued by a right knee injury.

-CB Randall Gay, who plays in the nickel and dime packages, has a foot injury that could limit the number of snaps he gets Sunday.

-LDE Bobby McCray will again start Sunday in place of Charles Grant, who is on injured reserve with a torn triceps muscle.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACK: Starter - Drew Brees. Backups - Mark Brunell, Chase Daniel.

Brees didn't throw for 5,000 yards like he did in 2008, but he did surpass the 4,000-yard mark for the fourth straight season - joining Peyton Manning as the only quarterbacks in league history to do so. Brees set an NFL record for passing accuracy as he completed 70.62 percent of his passes in going 363-of-514 for 4,388 yards with 34 TDs and 11 interceptions. He had a career-best passer rating of 109.6 for the season. The 39-year-old Brunell is a capable backup, but didn't look good in starting the regular-season finale. Daniel split his time between the active roster and practice squad.

RUNNING BACKS: Starters - RB Reggie Bush, FB Kyle Eckel. Backups - RB Pierre Thomas, RB Mike Bell, RB Lynell Hamilton. Injured reserve: FB Heath Evans.

After not being able to run the ball the previous two seasons, the Saints had a balanced attack in 2009. They ranked sixth in rushing with 131.6 yards per game behind Thomas' 793 yards, 5.4 average and six TDs and Bell's 654 yards and five scores. Bush added 390 yards, a 5.6 average and five more scores. Thomas and Bush are also polished receivers out of the backfield. Hamilton contributed mainly on special teams, but ran hard in short-yardage situations. Evans was having a solid season before blowing out a knee in late October.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter - Jeremy Shockey. Backups - David Thomas, Darnell Dinkins, Tory Humphrey. Injured reserve: Billy Miller.

Shockey played with high emotion and was a big part of the offense before a toe injury forced him to miss the final three games. Still, he caught 48 passes for 569 yards and three touchdowns. Thomas was a key acquisition just before the season started and contributed with 35 catches for 356 yards and a TD after Miller was lost for the season with a torn Achilles' tendon.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters - Marques Colston, Devery Henderson. Backups - Robert Meachem, Lance Moore, Courtney Roby, Adrian Arrington. Injured reserve: Rod Harper.

Colston, Henderson and Meachem were Brees' three main targets this season with the rangy Colston leading the team in receptions (70) and yards (1,074) and tied for the lead in TDs (9). Henderson had another big season with 804 yards and two scores on 51 catches, while Meachem broke out in his third season with 45 catches, 722 yards and nine TDs. Moore, the team's leading receiver in 2008, suffered through four different injuries and caught just 14 passes for 153 yards and two TDs.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters - LT Jermon Bushrod, LG Carl Nicks, C Jonathan Goodwin, RG Jahri Evans, RT Jon Stinchcomb. Backups - T Zach Strief, G/C Jamar Nesbit, C Nick Leckey. Injured reserve: Jammal Brown.

This unit played solidly throughout the season, protecting Brees and allowing just 20 sacks, and leading the way for a running attack that picked up 131.6 yards a game. Evans, an All-Pro, and Stinchcomb were primary Pro Bowl picks; Goodwin and Nicks were alternates. Bushrod, a third-year pro, had never played in a game until he was thrust into the lineup when Brown, a Pro Bowler last season, had surgery in the preseason for a sport hernia and then had season-ending hip surgery. But Bushrod was up to the task and played well all season. Strief, Nesbit and Leckey were capable backups.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters - LDE Bobby McCray, DT Sedrick Ellis, NT Remi Ayodele, RDE Will Smith. Backups - DT Anthony Hargrove, DE Jeff Charleston, DT DeMario Pressley, DE Paul Spicer. Injured reserve: LDE Charles Grant, NT Kendrick Clancy, DT Rodney Leisle.

Smith and Grant had bounce-back seasons as Smith piled up a career-high 13 sacks while Grant recorded 5 1/2 before tearing his triceps in the regular-season finale. Ellis enjoyed a solid season when he was healthy and Ayodele took over as the starter after Clancy, a solid run-stopper, was lost to a knee injury in the opener. McCray was bothered by a back injury all season and Hargrove, who did not play in 2008, was a huge surprise with five sacks, 11 quarterback hurries and three fumble recoveries. Charleston and Pressley provided depth outside and inside.

LINEBACKERS: Starters - SLB Scott Fujita, MLB Jonathan Vilma, WLB Scott Shanle. Backups - MLB Marvin Mitchell, SLB Troy Evans, WLB Jonathan Casillas, WLB Anthony Waters. Injured reserve: MLB Mark Simoneau, SLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar, WLB Stanley Arnoux.

Vilma, who came to the team in a 2008 trade and immediately solidified the linebacking corps, was a Pro Bowl pick this season with his solid play. He is the unquestioned leader of the group. Shanle and Fujita had big seasons as well and both have been dependable players for the last four seasons. Mitchell, Evans and Casillas are solid backups and key special teams contributors.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters - LCB Jabari Greer, FS Darren Sharper, SS Roman Harper, RCB Tracy Porter. Backups - LCB Randall Gay, RCB Malcolm Jenkins, SS Pierson Prioleau, FS Usama Young, FS Chris Reis. Injured reserve: CB Leigh Torrence, S Chip Vaughn.

This unit made the biggest strides on the defensive side of the ball as Sharper, an All-Pro selection, and Greer, who missed half the season with a sports hernia, were major upgrades. Porter also played a big role as a top cover cornerback after playing in five games as a rookie in 2008. Harper also enjoyed his best season as a pro and was solid in all facets of Gregg Williams' defense. Gay had a nice season as the nickel back and as a spot starter, while Jenkins, the team's top draft pick, struggled a little when he had to play cornerback because of injuries but was a contributor on special teams. Prioleau, Young and Reis helped mainly on special teams.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Garrett Hartley, P/KO Thomas Morstead, LS Jason Kyle, KOR Courtney Roby, PR Reggie Bush.

Hartley missed the first four games because of an NFL suspension, then was inactive for seven games while John Carney hung on to the job. But Hartley played the final five games and was 9-of-11 in field goals with one of the misses coming from 58 yards at the end of a game. Morstead, a rookie, was certainly worth a fifth-round draft pick as he averaged 43.6 gross yards per punt with a net of 36.0. Morstead was asked to kick off when Hartley was suspended and came up big with long, booming kicks and was fourth in the NFL with 27 touchbacks. Roby was outstanding as the kick returner with a 27.5-yard average and a 97-yard touchdown. Bush averaged just 4.8 yards on punt returns, but he shook loose for an 87-yard touchdown in the playoffs.

(SportsXchange)

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