MIAMI — According to New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, his team’s destiny was written in the stars.
His quarterback certainly believes it. So do many of the Saints fans, who made the trip from Bayou Country and packed Sun Life Stadium for Super Bowl XLVI Sunday night.
The signs were all there, they’ll tell you. Prior to Hurricane Katrina devastating the gulf coast region in 2005, Super Bowl XLIV was scheduled to be played at the Superdome in New Orleans. The Who was the halftime entertainment. Don’t see the connection? Try on some ‘Who Dat?’
Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi — last name ring a bell? — is the grandson of former Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi, whose name graces the silver trophy that is awarded to the Super Bowl winning team.
“Joe Lombardi, his father, Vince Jr., and his two brothers sat and posed with this trophy, the four of them, while pictures were taken. And I just thought to myself, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ ” Payton said Monday during the annual post-Super Bowl press conference.
“If you believe in heaven, and you believe Vince Lombardi is there looking down on his grandson, it doesn’t get any better. This is a guy that coaches our quarterbacks, coaches Drew Brees and here a trophy that’s named after his grandfather.”
National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell believes in the Saints’ karma.
“I keep thinking of the word ‘magical,’ ” Goodell said. “When you think about the relationship between the Saints and the Gulf Coast and the city of New Orleans, it was more than just a football game and more than just a football team. The hopes, the dreams and the struggles of that community were all reflected in that football team. It was a great night for the people in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region.”
n Payton takes time to appreciate Super Bowl win — The former Eastern Illinois quarterback and Indiana State assistant coach celebrated until around 3 a.m. Monday. Then he went to bed for a few hours, clutching the Vince Lombardi Trophy while he catnapped.
“You can’t get enough of this,” Payton said. “Rolled over it a couple times. I probably drooled on it. But man, there’s nothing like it.”
He also found some quiet time to think long and hard about the route that it took to become the Saints’ head coach.
“I said a prayer of thanks for these special times that don’t come around too often. For that I’m very appreciative and very humbled,” Payton said.
“When [Saints general manager] Mickey Loomis hired me in 2006, not having been from New Orleans, it would be hard to describe the relationship between the fans and the players there, and it became apparent to me that football was obviously very important but it was much bigger than football. When we got into coaching or playing, we got into it for certain reasons and yet the reasons in New Orleans far exceeded what we ever expected.”
n Brees still trying to comprehend Super Bowl win — Drew Brees may have been selected as the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLIV, but he is not sure if it’s for real or just a very nice dream.
“I’m not sure if it’s completely sunk in yet,” Brees said Monday. “It seems like as the minutes go by, it slowly does. Our victory [Sunday] night was the culmination of four years of hard work, fighting through a lot of adversity, ups and downs and more importantly than that, representing a city that has been through so much.
“Our city, our fans, gave us strength and we owe this to them. That’s made all the difference. There’s no people that you would want to win for more than the city of New Orleans. So it’s an honor.”
n High ratings — According to the Nielsen Company, Sunday night’s Saints-Colts Super Bowl clash received the highest ratings in over 23 years.
Super Bowl XLIV earned an average overnight household rating/share of 46.4/68. Only Super Bowl XXI in 1987 scored better (47.8/68).
There’s a chance that when the ratings are adjusted that Super Bowl XLIV could end up being the highest-rated Super Bowl of all time.
Colts
Signs were all there for New Orleans’ team of destiny
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Colts have no plan to move from Anderson
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Colts’ new QB has a lot to keep him busy
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Mr. Irrelevant may find home with Colts
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All eyes on new Indy quarterback
Day One of the Andrew Luck era went off without a hitch Friday at the Indianapolis Colts’ West 56th Street practice facility.
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Colts fill need at cornerback
While the Indianapolis Colts failed to add any cornerbacks among the 10 players selected during this past weekend’s National Football League draft, general manager Ryan Grigson and the team’s scouting department were able to snag three undrafted free agents to play the position.
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New Colts GM, coach pleased with first draft
In a sense, first-year general manager Ryan Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano were rookies during the 2012 NFL draft.
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Colts’ new look comes into shape tonight at MSG
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Colts confirm that Luck is choice
It’s official. The Indianapolis Colts will select former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft Thursday night.
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Colts know, but won't say who No. 1 pick will be
With the first round of the NFL draft just a week away, Indianapolis Colts first-year general manager Ryan Grigson admitted Wednesday that team officials know who they are going to select with the No. 1 overall pick.
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New-look Colts open against Bears
While the Indianapolis Colts knew back in February who they would be playing during the 2012 regular season, there were plenty of questions about the dates, locations and times of those games.
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Colts look nothing like team of old with workouts under way
For the first time since last month’s massive roster purge, Indianapolis Colts players — both those that are returning as well as some of the newer additions — were available to talk about the franchise’s immediate future during an open lockerroom session Wednesday.
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Former Colts Saturday, Diem decide their NFL futures
The revolving door to the Indianapolis Colts locker room keeps spinning at the team's headquarters on West 56th Street.
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Going to Denver: Manning’s move bound to shake up AFC
The Denver Broncos got their Man. Make that Peyton Manning.
Pending final contract negotiations, Manning will join John Elway’s Broncos with hopes of winning another Super Bowl.
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Wayne surprises many with move
Welcome home Reggie Wayne.
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Wayne stays put in Indy
After a week of bad news for Indianapolis Colts fans that included the release of quarterback Peyton Manning, tight end Dallas Clark, running back Joseph Addai, middle linebacker Gary Brackett, safety Melvion Bullitt and quarterback Curtis Painter, finally something positive.
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Indianapolis puts team roster under knife
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay sounded the warning bell during Wednesday’s press conference announcing the release of 14-year quarterback Peyton Manning.
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MARK BENNETT: Manning leaves great memories for Colts fans
The emotion behind the words was obvious.
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Peyton-palooza: Manning will have significant number of suitors
Rex Ryan’s Jets need leadership in a lost locker room.
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Irsay offers only ‘circumstances’
So if Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay wanted Peyton Manning to stay with the team, what happened?
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UPDATE: Colts announce they’re releasing Manning
Peyton Manning’s record-breaking run as quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts ended today, when owner Jim Irsay announced the team would release its best player.
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Colts, Peyton Manning prepared to part ways?
It looks very much as if an era will be coming to a close today.
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Colts agree to deal with Mathis
After signing a multi-year deal on Monday, it looks as if Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Mathis will play his entire National Football League career with the Indianapolis Colts.
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Colts defense about to receive overhaul
Changes are coming quickly for the Indianapolis Colts defense.
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Luck may be ready to go from start
Talk about walking into a pressure-packed situation.
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Choices at QB are plentiful for Indianapolis
Whatever decision the Indianapolis Colts ultimately make on who will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2012, the job will ultimately be in good hands.
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Pagano ready to begin Colts' rebuilding process
With the Peyton Manning situation still unresolved, a pair of recently hired Indianapolis Colts — coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson — are moving on with plans to rebuild the franchise.
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Colts welcome Manusky aboard as defensive coordinator
On Thursday, Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson, coach Chuck Pagano and potential No. 1 draft pick Andrew Luck led the parade.
Grigson and Pagano confirmed the hiring of several assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, Marwan Maalouf (special teams), Roy Anderson (safeties), Alfredo Roberts (tight ends) and Brandt Boyer (assistant special teams). -
Mathis, Garcon at top of Colts’ wish list; Wayne isn’t
Expect defensive end Robert Mathis and wide receiver Pierre Garcon to be priorities for the Indianapolis Colts during free agency.
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