Saints 13-0? Somebodypinch me
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Yeah, guys, I can’t wrap my mind around it either.
It’s mid-December. The Saints are undefeated.
As in, no losses.
As in, no Black Mondays.
As in, no gut wrenching, soul crushing, TYPICAL Saint defeats this season.
We’ve seen the potential for those defeats all season. In years past, we’re talking about a blowout loss at Miami, an embarrassing loss in the closing seconds to the hapless Rams, a demoralizing loss at Washington followed by a “is our season falling apart?” loss to the Chris Redman-led Falcons.
This season? No way.
It’s tough to fathom how everything could be going the Saints way when, well, so many things haven’t this season. The season ending injuries to Jamaal Brown, Heath Evans and Billy Miller. The team’s three top cornerbacks all missing significant time with injuries, and going to war with a rookie and street free agents in the secondary. Lance Moore and Reggie Bush missing chunks of the year.
But unlike the team that folded in so many close games last season – six losses by a combined 18 points is every Saints fan’s favorite stat from 2008 – this one finishes like no other in Saints history. The fourth quarter belongs to New Orleans. If it’s even, they’re leavin – with a ‘W’.
Sure, some close wins over recent sub par competition have a few of the locals concerned. But if this team gets Scott Fujita back to shore up the run defense…if it gets Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter back at peak efficiency in time for the playoffs, allowing Gregg Williams the freedom to leave his corners on an island and attack the running game and quarterback with zeal – not to mention allowing Darren Sharper to once again freelance and be the nightmare he was for opposing quarterbacks in September and October – then…
Well, then this is the best team in the NFL. Bar none.
On Saturday night, the Saints could essentially salt away a chance to set road through the NFC to the Super Bowl straight down Poydras St. A win over the Dallas Cowboys wouldn’t clinch it without a Vikings loss – but Tampa Bay isn’t leaving the Superdome with a win in Week 16.
Make no mistake – a win over Tony Romo and the Cowboys means two potential playoff home games for the Saints.
An NFC Championship game in the Superdome? It’s hard to fathom what that atmosphere would be like.
I truly hope to find out.
Who Dat!
This past weekend was a strange feeling. I knew the Prep Classic was going on in the Superdome, but the first time in my time at L’Observateur, I had no local team to go and cover.
We may never know if Lutcher or St. Charles would have been able to advance had weather conditions been less harsh on semifinal weekend.
Tim Detillier nor Frank Monica are going to beat a drum of excuses, and Curtis and Neville were championship round caliber teams – Neville, especially, opened eyes with a decisive win over Franklinton for the 4A title.
But falling short in the semifinal round doesn’t diminish what either team accomplished this season.
St. Charles only lost games to a true powerhouse in the Patriots.
Lutcher was on a ridiculous undefeated tear before its loss to Neville, and quarterback Gavin Webster left his mark all over the Lutcher record books.
Each played in most memorable games this prep season.
Lutcher’s overtime win over Hahnville was one of the year’s most anticipated games, and it exceeded all expectations.
St. Charles’ 19-18 loss at Thomas Dupuy Stadium, likewise, was a classic game that was decided by a touchdown in the final minute.
To the seniors on each team – and really, on all the River Parish teams — congratulations on a fine effort. It’s been my pleasure to cover all of you.
To you underclassmen…we’re only about nine months away from kickoff.
Lets do this thing again next year.