A Metaphorical List Of Thanksgiving “Thanks” By The New Orleans Saints
By Keith Null
The Saints are now hours away from an important game against the Dallas Cowboys as they attempt to win their fourth game in a row to keep pace with Atlanta in the NFC South.
New Orleans has played increasingly well over the last four weeks after sputtering during the first quarter of the year. The Super Bowl championship definitely took it toll on the franchise but the fog may finally be lifting and it appears their best football is still ahead.
In celebration of Thanksgiving the Saints have put together a short list of just what they are thankful for this year.
1. A Super Bowl Championship
In one season the 2009 Saints erased a franchises 46 year history of failure by ascending to the top of the NFL during a record breaking 13-3 season and eventual Super Bowl championship. New Orleans plowed through three tough teams in the play-offs all of which were headed by future Hall of Fame quarterback’s in Kurt Warner, Brett Favre and Payton Manning. Simply put they were a team of destiny that would not be denied their Championship. Payton and Brees finally get to be labeled Super Bowl winners, titles they rightly deserve.
2. Drew Brees and Sean Payton
No quarterback means more to their city than does Drew Brees to New Orleans. Since his arrival in 2006 he has taken a struggling franchise and turned them into one of the more elite teams in the NFL. No quarterback in the NFL has completed more passes for more yards or has a higher passer rating than has Brees since 2006. He delivered the franchises first ever Super Bowl championship and will continue to be the catalyst for their success this season and future season to come.
Payton (46-29-0) is equally important transforming the Saints offense into an elite unit that consistently ranks among tops in the league since 2006. In his five years with the club he already ranks among the most successful head coaches in franchise history. He is the only coach to lead the Saints to an NFC Championship, a Super Bowl victory and was a unanimous choice for NFL Coach of the Year in 2006.
3. Chris Ivory
Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas were lost very early this season to injury leaving the Saints to turn to undrafted rookie Chris Ivory to handle the teams rushing responsibilities. He has not lit the league on fire but has managed to put together some pretty nice games and currently leads all Saints running backs and rookie running back in yards (481) and yards per carry (4.8). If not for Ivory the Saints rushing offense would be non existent and the Saints are surely thankful they found this diamond in the rough.
4. The Who Dat Nation
Saints fans are among the most rabid and loyal in the NFL and win or lose we have stuck by our team through thick and thin. We continue to spend money on Saints paraphernalia and will travel to most anywhere to watch the team play. It’s us who have propelled the Saints franchise to among the most valuable in the NFL and everyone in or around the organization knows much of the Saints success starts with the average Joe. We are also responsible for giving the Saints one of the best home field advantages in the NFL as the ruckus created in the Super Dome on game day is unlike any other stadium in the country.
Check out Keith Null’s weekly article about the Saints on NFL.com by clicking here.
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