ABC26 Sports

At this evening's press conference, head coach Sean Payton wouldn't even address the issue of the ankle injury to Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney. Payton said he "wouldn't speculate" about what affect it might have on the outcome of the Super Bowl if Freeney can't play.

Losing Freeney would be a major blow for the Colts, who have relied on a good pass rush to cover up a secondary playing without injured safety Bob Sanders.

The Saints did have one obstacle to overcome when they arrived in Miami. They drove to the University of Miami, south of town in Coral Gables to dress. Then they had to leave and go north to Davie to the Dolphins facility to practice indoors because of rain.

Tomorrow's media day at Sun Life Stadium has been moved indoors to the club level because of wet grounds and a 60 percent chance of rain.

The rest of the week, past Tuesday, is supposed to be good weather days. Sunday's forecast is for a 70 degree day and no rain.

Stat of the day: first time organizations in the Super Bowl are winners only 4 times out of 19 against repeat clubs.

In the NFC south, Tampa won its first Super Bowl trip in 2002. But, Atlanta and Carolina were both losers in their only Super Bowl visits.

Said Reggie Bush, "I didn't know that stat. I wish you hadn't told me.."

Ed Daniels
Miami, FL
Monday February 1st

The Saints injury report, issued for the frst time in Super Bowl week, listed running back Lynell Hamilton as the only who did not practice. Hamilton is hobbled by an ankle injury.

Former Saint Archie Manning attracted a huge media throng as he appeared to honor the Saints offensive line as the Madden most valuable protectors. The inaugural award is symbolic of the best offense line in football.

Many said what he has said many times in the past 10 days. He will pull for his son Peyton's team in the Super Bowl. But of the Saints he said, "I knew they would make it eventually. I told Olivia (his wife) that I wanted to see the Saints in the Super Bowl and Ole Miss again in the Sugar Bowl." Ole Miss has not appeared in the Sugar Bowl since January 1, 1970 when Manning quarterbacked the Rebels to a win over Arkansas.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees knows his New Orleans. He was asked by a member of the media throng what was the meaning of the fleur de lis? Brees explained it expertly, harkening back to the time Louisiana was under French rule.

It was Brees, as always, superbly prepared.

The Saints not only won their first Super Bowl honestly, they won it in dominating fashion.

The Saints scored 31 of the last 38 points. Once he got rolling, Drew Brees was unstoppable. He completed 32 of 39 passes, and 16 of 17 in the second half.

After falling behind 10 nothing, the Saints held Peyton Manning and the Colts to one TD over the final 3 quarters.

The Saints had lots of motivation. Despite a 13 win season, they were almost a touchdown underdog. And, during the week, former Colts coach Tony Dungy made a major mistake. He told USA Today the Colts would win by two touchdowns. That clip was more bulletin board material for a club that was already stung by the disrespect it felt it received from the national media.

The bottom line on this Super Bowl victory is this: all year long, the Saints played in the better conference. Against 4 AFC East opponents, the Saints were convincing winners. That should have been a tip off for Super Sunday.

After watching the Super Bowl, I say this convincingly. The Vikings were better than the Colts.