Ready for more King Cake....

The Saints did a lot of things right last night, and what I love about this football team is how much they spread the big plays around. Brees is obviously a masterful leader of his offensive line, but last night, more even than in the NFC championship game, we were reminded of how brilliant a defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is. His defense took out Kurt Warner, took out Brett Favre, and last night they held Peyton Manning's Colts to 17 points, with only seven of them even coming in the second half of the game. The Jets and the Ravens couldn't do that, so I think everyone should step back and look at what really does make a great defense. Stopping yardage is great, but Tracy Porter picking off two hall of fame worthy quarterbacks in consecutive games (effectively winning both games with his plays mind you) is the kind of stuff we will still be watching in twenty years.
So give Gregg a float in the Mardi Gras parade, and then let's talk about my new favorite coach in the NFL, Sean Payton.
When Sean decided to go for it on 4th and goal and it didn't work, a lot of folks probably thought he wouldn't try anything too tricky again. Once burned twice shy maybe? Let me reach down and grab my inner Cajun drawl: HEYALL NO! That onside kick to open the second half of the game was one of the greatest moments i have ever seen in a football game, and it took stones the size of boulders to make that call. So some big love to Payton for that one.
Next, when Payton told the Saints to go for two points after their second touchdown,it at first appeared that it was incomplete. Then, with the risk of losing a challenge and a timeout, Payton called for a review and his boys in gold got to keep the points.
Good coaches have winning seasons. Like Jim Mora. But fearless coaches win championships. That's how Payton outcoached Brad Childress and Jim Caldwell. I wouldn't say the Saints outplayed the Vikings per se, but you are damn sure they outgeneraled them.
Oh and Titans fans? Guess who was your defensive coordinator during your one run to the Superbowl? Yep. The man with two "g"s. Nothing but love to Chuck Cecil, but damn I wish we had Gregg back.