New Orleans is seeking to become the NFL’s first repeat champion since the New England Patriots won consecutive titles after the 2003 and 2004 seasons. First-time Super Bowl winners have a 12-4-1 record in their opening game the next season.
New Orleans defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, intimated that the crash-dummy images of a certain Minnesota Vikings quarterback being pulverized in the NFC championship game last season should serve as a preview of how the reigning Super Bowl champion Saints intended to attack their title defense.
Williams welcomed (if not warned) the league to take note of defense that took names, including some of the greatest in NFL history during the playoffs. It started with Kurt Warner, who the Saints knocked into retirement. It ended with a Super Bowl upset of Peyton Manning.
In between was the Brett Favre sandwich.
If the Vikings have any say in the matter the road to the Super Bowl won’t be easy for the Saints. Favre, at age 40, is returning for another shot at his second Super Bowl title. He’ll get an early chance to avenge last season’s disappointment in the opening game with the Saints.
“There still is a sense of urgency,” said Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who was voted Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. “Nobody around here is relaxing. Everybody around here still feels like we have so much to prove.”
The Vikings’ offense played well, piling up 475 yards and 31 first downs against the Saints’ defense. Five Minnesota turnovers, including three in the fourth quarter, ultimately led to a 31-28 defeat and ended their 2009 campaign. Speaking of this years’ opening game Favre said, “We don’t turn the ball over, it’s a different ball game.”
