What was it like at the NFC National Championship Game? Read this account that was emailed to me.
The game was like a parade block party,strangers acting like they knew each other, joking around with some crazy but classy Vikings fans (in contrast with the thugs that comprise too large a percentage in Chicago) before the game and everyone just soaking up the atmosphere. We sat on the 10 yard line 3 rows up in what is now the Club Section.
Brees was a bit off, throwing high all night long (we have come to expect perfection Drew). Our receivers had a case of the jitters, bobbling passes that did hit them in the chest and the defense failing to pick up two fumbles they should have had by trying to be heroes instead of just falling on the damn ball. By the way, when a running back fumbles and 5 defensive players are around the ball, one can fall on, sit on or hold the running back so one of the other 4 can FALL on the ball before Peterson beats them to it. You all saw Reggie Bush’s brain fart on the fumbled punt return. The return was not on, they only bumped the lead cover guy on our sideline.
But they hung in there like champions and beat a meaner bigger nastier and overall more talented team. Believe me, when a Viking hits a Saint, the Saint goes backwards. The good thing is, we have a lot of room for improvement and will not be playing nearly so physical and huge a team in the Colts.
The Saints fans were worth 14 points and the damn refs gave them 7 at least. AT NO TIME DID THE CROWD STOP SCREAMING THEIR EVER-LOVING DRUNK (at least 50-60%) HEARTS OUT EVERY TIME THE VIKINGS GOT THE BALL. It was deafening. It never ceased or slackened the ENTIRE game. There is no place like the Superdome and no fans like those in New Orleans (and Metairie) anywhere in the world.
You can see a few things at a game in person that are not shown on a TV. I want to mention in particular that Sharper had a great game. He was like a Coach on the field, constantly giving instructions to everyone. He would move over across the field after Favre set the play just before the snap. Several times Favre, who was brilliant back there (most of the game) would see the double coverage that was not there before and check off.
Unfortunately Favre usually found his secondary receiver, normally in the form of their huge tight end, who was so open sometimes, you would have thought he had rabies. The Saints also missed a lot of tackles. The Vikings didn’t.
I couldn’t bear to watch Hartley’s kick, at least not at first. I had my Drew Brees autographed Saints cap over my eyes and I was praying a threatening prayer (Forgive me God I got caught up in the moment.) I knew we were OK when they tried to ice Hartley with the timeout. This 23-year ole balls of steel kid was clapping as he walked to the sidelines. Earlier we noticed John Carney talking to him. Hartley had been topping the ball on kickoffs but got it corrected in the second half and was knocking it out the end zone which really adds to the momentum and saves a lot of field position. Anyway, with the prayer over, I figured what the hell, I’ll watch.
The ball was snapped. They got it off OK. Hartley kicked the hell out of it. I looked to my right at the end zone where the ball was headed and saw the whole section there immediately raise up their arms signaling that the KICK WAS GOOD!!! Instantly, there was a wave of raised arms around the entire stadium. The Saints were really going to the Super Bowl. “Next year” was finally hear. For me, I still could not quite believe it. The best I can do to describe it is that it was like entering a great dream instead of waking up from one.
Who Dat?
The Saints of course. They are for real. They deserved the great victory and best of all when the Super Bowl starts, they are going to be in it.
