Rebuilding Project

A few years ago Hurricane Katrina ripped through the heart of New Orleans, bringing the once proud, tradition rich city to its knees. Across the nation, as well as the rest of the world, we all watched as an inept federal government simply watched as an entire city was nearly washed away. By the time help arrived it was nearly too late, and it was only by a nation wide collective effort that New Orleans was salvaged. One of the long lasting images of the Katrina tragedy were the thousands of refugees huddled in a ravaged Superdome, massive holes gaping in the roof, with any real hope of rebuilding seemingly infinitely far off.

This is why Super Bowl 44 in Miami will be special. It is not because the match up features arguably the two best QBs in a quarterback league, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. And while

Dolphin Stadium in Miami should be a worthy Super Bowl host, perfectly capable of hosting such a gala event, the city of Miami will not, and should not, be the focal point of the 2010 edition of the biggest sport event of every year. Amidst the still continuing recovery of New Orleans from Katrina has been the New Orleans Saints, going to their first Super Bowl in franchise history. It seems almost right that they will be facing the best quarterback of our generation, maybe of all time, and perhaps begins the final chapter of the rebuilding of New Orleans.

The Saints have become more than just a football team. The city of New Orleans has rallied around this team, a constant throughout the tragedy, and the payoff is now, complete with a trip to the Super Bowl. But the storybook ending will by no means be a guarantee. The Saints face the best QB in the league, as well as the fastest defense they have seen all season. And if they can keep Peyton Manning and the prolific Colt offense out of the end zone, as well as keeping Brees' jersey clean, they will hoist the Lombardi trophy, and perhaps begin a step in the right direction for a city so desperate for any progress.

But in football terms I am hard pressed to see the Saints overtaking the Colts. While both teams feature high powered offenses, both with MVP caliber QBs and Pro Bowl players at nearly every offensive position, but the Colts boast the fastest defense in the NFL. Will Brees be able to avoid the rush? And even if he does, will Shockey, Colston, and Thomas have enough left in the tank to find holes in the Indianapolis D? My bet is no. The Colts are clear favorites in this match up, and Vegas seems to agree as the Colts opened as 4 point favorites. This number is still climbing, and perhaps it would be insane to bet against Peyton Manning and the Colts. But it would also be insane to think that the Superdome would be hosting a conference championship just 4 years removed from the most destructive hurricane to strike American soil. And last Sunday was a testament to the insanity which has defined these New Orleans Saints. A packed house of nearly 73,000 fans witnessed a great moment in the history of the city, and it seemed only right that Drew Brees and his comrades would pull out the gut wrenching victory from Brett Favre and the visiting Vikings. So no matter who your allegiances may lie with, on Super Bowl Sunday we can all be Saints fans.