New Orleans Saints Review

Jonathan Goodwin credits coach Sean Payton with keeping the team focused during the week prior to the Super Bowl.

1. First, I have to ask, how would you describe the atmosphere in the Superdome after you won the NFC Championship?
Electric!! As soon as the kick got over the line of scrimmage the fans in the end zone started to celebrate, so at that point I knew it had to be on track to be good. After that it was a man hug session (haha). We all were so excited! Everything that we said we wanted to accomplish had been done. We still had one goal left, but to get to that point was a great feeling for us also. Four years ago we got to that point and came up short and that was one of the worst feelings you can ever experience as a professional athlete.

2. The week before the Super Bowl seems like it would be full of distractions. How were you guys able to focus on practicing and film study with so much going on around you?
Well coach Payton did a great job of preparing us for the distractions. We took care of all out tickets and things like that during the bye week, so we could focus on just football the week we spent in Miami. Another thing that coach did that was smart was he didn’t give us the whole gameplan until we got to Miami. This was key because we spent the week in Miami learning the game plan instead of just trying to remember it from the bye week.

3. You guys had a little bit of a slow start against the Colts, but from the second quarter on it was all Saints. Was there anything said in the huddle or on the sidelines that helped get you going?
Honestly we played well in the first half we just missed a couple plays. On the first series Drew missed Meach, on the second series we had a drop, and then we had the goal line stand. The whole game we had confidence we just started taking advantage of our opportunities in the second half. We believe we are the only people that can stop our offense.

4. Did you have any idea during halftime that Sean Payton called for the onside kick to begin the second half? I’ve heard that Thomas Morstead was terrified when he was told, but did the rest of the team know what was going to happen?
Coach told us all week he was going to call it. He just didn’t know when he would. At half time he told us we would start the half with the ball because he was calling the ambush.

5. During the game, when did it sink in that you guys were actually going to win and become champions?
When we took the 24-17 lead Jon Stinchcomb said to me that we were just over three minutes from winning the Super Bowl. A few plays later Tracy got the interception and then I asked Stinch to tell me that again. So I would say at that point.

6. When the game ended, was there anyone or anything that you thought of right away?
Just my wife, I was trying to see if she was making her way down to the field. It was the greatest feeling you can ever experience as an athlete so I wanted to share it with my family.

7. Looking back on the season as a whole, one thing that struck me was how many things have to go just right for a team to win the Super Bowl. Have you had a chance to sit back and reflect on what it took to win it all?
You are right. Just think if we don’t come back in the Dolphins game or the Carolina game at home then we don’t have home field advantage. That alone could have made it tougher to get to Miami.

8. Personally, you had a great season, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl for the first time. Would you attribute your success to a different approach to the game or is it more about gaining experience and being out there every Sunday?
I had a dream season to go to your first Pro Bowl and win the Super Bowl in the same season is a dream come true. I prepared the same way as I have always done. I think more people just noticed me and some of the other guys more this year.

9. You guys sure seemed to have a great time at the big parade in NOLA. What was it like to be in the middle of that scene?
It was great! It was an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. The city of New Orleans made us all feel like kings. The fans love us and we love our fans back.

10. Finally, do you have plans to do anything exciting during the offseason?
No just relax and take some vacations.

(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

 Loading ...

The Saints should celebrate Darren Sharper's performance by bringing him back in 2010.

It’s hard to believe that it’s even a question, after the great 2009 season that veteran safety Darren Sharper put up. But the Saints must make the determination on whether or not Sharper and his 9 interceptions belong in the team’s secondary next season.

It has already come out that the Saints won’t use the franchise tag on Sharper, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they won’t sign him to a deal.

The predicament the Saints face is not Sharper’s 2009 stats, but his 2010 age (he’ll turn 35 in November). Sharper wants a multi-year deal, but the Saints may not be so sure. While it’s true that most NFL players don’t continue playing into their mid 30’s, Sharper wouldn’t be the first safety to do so.

I’m reminded of Rodney Harrison, whom the Saints (and a host of other teams) had a chance to sign back in 2003 after he was let go by the San Diego Chargers. There was talk at the time that most teams thought the veteran was simply too old to play at a high level. The New England Patriots picked him up and never regretted it as Harrison played 6 seasons with the team.

Hall of Fame corner/safety Rod Woodson also played productive football well into his 30’s, and long after the Pittsburgh Steelers let him go.

During the Saints’ Super Bowl season, Sharper showed no ill effects of age or injury. His leadership and play-making skills looked as great as ever. He was a perfect fit in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ aggressive system and took advantage of opportunities to make game-changing plays.

Putting his advanced age aside for a moment, it’s hard to find any other legitimate argument that Sharper doesn’t belong as the starting free safety on this team. It’s not as if the team has his replacement waiting in the wings. And play-making safeties don’t exactly grow on trees. Did anyone watch the Steelers play without Troy Polamalu this season?

General manager Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton may see this as a tough decision. Yes, the odds are against Sharper being as productive in 2010 and beyond. It’s hard to imagine him, or anyone else putting up 9 interceptions per season. Still, it’s also hard for me to believe that he won’t still be an effective player in this system. And his veteran presence would surely be missed just as much as his on-field attributes.

Loomis and in particular Payton are known for rolling the dice and making gutsy calls. Here’s hoping they take a gamble on Darren Sharper leading the Saints defense again in 2010.

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Well, lazy and busy at the same time, if that’s possible.  But don’t worry Saints fans, I haven’t forgotten about you!  I’m working on getting some offseason interviews.  Hopefully, there will be a few Super Bowl champions appearing on the site sometime soon, keep you fingers crossed for me!

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Sounds good to me! After so many years of taking crap from people, it is COOL to be a Saints fan!!!

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

I can’t stop smiling!  It’s still a little bit surreal to think that our Saints are really Super Bowl Champions.  The parade, Drew Brees appearing on just about everything…it’s finally our time to shine!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely splurged on plenty of Super Bowl items.  I want a piece of history, but no I don’t think I’ll buy any of that endzone turf they’re selling

There’s already a lot of talk about what the team will look like next season.  There will be plenty of time to think about that.  I just want to savor this a little longer.

The draft should be interesting (it is nice to have the 32nd pick for once!).  Where do you think this team needs help?  I’d be inclined to say left tackle, but that all depends on Jammal Brown’s status.  No disrespect to Jermon Bushrod because I think he did his best, despite being put in a tough position.  But Brown has proven himself to be capable of playing at a high level.  If he’s ready, then I can’t imagine the Saints going in another direction.  If his health is a serious question mark, then that may be something to address in the draft.

Other spots to consider could be defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker and safety.  The Saints are pretty solid in most areas (they did just win a Super Bowl, after all), but I don’t think Sean Payton will turn down some added depth.  Just something to chew on.

As for me, I’m going to get away from the computer and figure out what I’m going to do with no football to watch!

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

 Loading ...