Peyton vs. Goliath

While 4 MVP's and 2 Super Bowls could jump Peyton Manning to the top of the all-time quarterback debate, can he get by the team of destiny? The "New" Orleans Saints, given birth to by Hurricane Katrina, is rolling into Miami with a chip on their shoulder, and a Nation behind them that never backs down.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans as the one of the five deadliest Hurricanes in U.S. History and the sixth ever strongest among Atlantic Hurricanes. Many fled the city, but many stayed and paid the price. Homes, families, stores, schools, and lives were torn apart, and it was evident that New Orleans would never be the same. With holes in the top of the Louisiana Superdome, the home of the New Orleans Saints, owner Tom Benson had a choice; to keep the Saints in New Orleans and play the home games that season in various places, or to move the team where the fan base would not be in a state of crisis. Benson kept the Saints right where they were. For the 2005 Season the Saints played their home games in the Alamodome in San Antonio and LSU's Tiger Stadium, and in the fall of 2006 the team returned to New Orleans. On September 25th, 2006, the Saints beat the Falcons 23-3, and blood, sweat, and a whole lot of tears were left on the ground of the Superdome. Just one year ago the city was underwater and New Orleans was a barren, desolate place, that would maybe never see the light ever again. But the Saints were that light. The Saints brought hope to the city of New Orleans. With every game the Saints played in the coming years, it was much more than just football; it was a team embracing a Nation, and lifting it as it had lifted them.

Now with Katrina in the rearview mirror, the Saints have a date with the Indianapolis Colts two Sundays from now in Miami, for Super Bowl XLIV, and the "Who Dat" Nation is louder than ever. After their overtime victory over the Vikings in the NFC Championship, Darren Sharper was seen leading the crowd in their newest chant; "Who Dat! Who Dat! Who Dat Say They Gonna Beat Them Saints!" The Colts led by All-World Quarterback Peyton Manning hopes to quiet those Saints' fans riding on Cloud 9. The Colts, who were the "other" perfect team this season in the NFL, have almost flown under the radar in the playoffs. While the Jets had the rookie, the Vikes had the old man, and the Saints have "destiny," the Colts are just a very good team that is quietly getting the job done. Their story, is Peyton Manning. Peyton, who is in line to break just about every significant quarterback record, is playing to build his resume as the best NFL quarterback of all-time, and this Super Bowl would certainly help his case. There is always an argument against a team's success, and this playoffs the Colts have not been challenged by the Ravens or Jets, teams with good defenses but sub par offenses. Now their challenge lies ahead as they take on the Saints, who have a defense who takes the ball from you, and an offense that melodically shoves the ball down your throat.

Come Super Bowl Sunday the Saints run will not cease. The first Super Bowl win in Saints history will cap off a remarkable resurgence of a city once under water, but now under the wing of their pro football team. The Saints are New Orleans, and with the "Who Dat" Nation on their side, are a team playing not only with strength and skill, but with "destiny," and a whole lot of heart.

JD