What they did right there is pretty much unheard of. The only time teams go for an onside kick is when the game is almost over and they have just scored and need to score again and the other team would likely be able to run out the clock if they got possession of the ball. If you are familiar with basketball, it is similar to when one team starts intentionally fouling the other near the end of the game to make them score with the clock stopped. That said, I think that was a pretty dumb call. Yes, it happened to work, but the onside kick is an extremely high risk gamble. Teams do it out of desperation for a reason, it rarely pays off. To get a better idea of how risky it is, think about how insane the struggle for the ball was even though the Colts had no idea it was coming and everyone on the Saints did. If the Colts get that ball, you can pretty much assume a field goal at least. THAT said, congratulations to the Saints on a heck of a year. I wish I could be in NO from now through mardi gras. It must be mayhem.
I was surprised that the Colts D didn't stick with the first quarter game plan. Press coverage fucked the Saints in the 1st, then the Colts went back to playing "Tampa-2" and Brees only sees that about 6 times a year. The Saints O-line deserves serious props for keeping Brees as clean as they did. I know Freeney wasn't 100%, but they have more weapons, and the Colts D-line was silenced in the second half.
Pass rushing is very hard work. As the commentators mentioned in the telecast, the Colts had not seen passing teams very much during the season and certainly not the Jets or Ravens. I think the Colts defensive line ran out of gas by the end of the first half and Brees started to have more time to get down field completions. The more completions and first downs the Saints got, the more pass rushing the Colts had to do. As far as Manning being the best ever. Not a chance when Mr. Joe Montana is still around with his 4 super bowl wins out of 4 tries, 3 Superbowl MVP trophies and zero interceptions in the Super Bowl. Oh and he beat Dan Marino and John Elway in two of those Super Bowls.
Not that anyone cares (except for maybe a few of the females here), but the Colts player who lost the onside kick was Hank Baskett, husband of former-playmate Kendra Wilson.
FTFY It was disappointing, but the Saints are a great team with a big swinging pair. The onside kick and route jumping could have ended up like the 4th and goal attempt and the game would have been very different, but the reason the Saints had made it that far was that their gambles usually paid off.
As to the onside kick: I don't feel it was as big a risk as everyone is making it out to be. Sure, the Colts might end up with the ball on the 50, but up to that point the Saints had been watching Pey-pey and Co. sustain long drives down the field to score almost at will. So really, what did Payton have to lose, vs. what to gain? Also, great fucking game and I'm sad I missed 2 thirds of it driving from L.A. to Phoenix, but thank god we stopped at the first place we could to watch the end. (listened on radio up to that point)
It's a shame really. Now, I hate the Colts, because I'm a Broncos fan, but Peyton is in the 'Greatest QB Discussion' but I don't think he makes Top 5 All-Time. And it's because the guy chokes in the big games. I thought he turned a corner in his performance against the Jets, and to be fair, he really made only that one error. He still has time to win another one, though. So he may well finish his career in the Top 5 (in my opinion). I think he's a fantastic regular season QB, but until he wins more in the playoffs, he will not break into that best of the best in my opinion. One more ring, with better performances on the way there in the playoffs, should put him there.
He should have gotten MVP I swear to God. Between that and the 2 point conversion to burn the clock, so damn smart. All in all it was a good game, not a great one. The tempo of the entire thing seemed off to me for some reason. The Colts D was non existent in the second half. I don't know if it's more the Saints outplayed the Colts more than it is the Saints outwitted them. Even the commercials seemed kinda blah this year.
? The clock doesn't run on a 2 point conversion. It was the smart play because they were only up 5, kick the extra point and a TD still beats you.
I dont know where to ask this so if its ok ill just ask it here. What is the % of field goals that are made around 50-55 that are successful? Cant find the number anywhere...
I hate Peyton Manning because nothing is ever his fault. He threw a pick and after the game ESPN and co. were trying to find ways to make it not his fault. I also hate him because HE never takes any blame himself. That one year they got bounced out of by Pittsburgh and Manning graciously threw his offensive line and coaching staff under the bus when he said "I'm trying to be a good teammate here. Let's just say we had some problems in protection.'' I loved seeing him get teary-eyed as the Saints won the Super Bowl. Made it that much more enjoyable. The amount of time it is going to take Nawlinns to sober up is going to be measured in years.