Posts Tagged ‘NFL’

Hurricane Katrina five years later(Photos)

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Posted 25 Aug 2010 — by T.T.S.
Category NFL

As the five-year anniversary of Katrina approaches the folks over at the Frame have taken current photos and  juxtaposed them with images taken in 2005. The Superdome looks great, as for other areas(Lower 9th Ward) some more work still needs to be done.

Getty Images / Mario Tama

The New Orleans Saints look on during a preseason game against the Houston Texans at the Superdome August 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Bottom Photo) Stranded victims of Hurricane Katrina rest inside the Superdome, which has become a makeshift shelter for hurricane vitcims, September 2, 2005 in New Orleans.

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Congratulations Saints!

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Posted 08 Feb 2010 — by T.T.S.
Category NFL

In honor of the New Orleans Saints winning thier first Super Bowl in franchise history, here are two prime examples of New Orleans. Enjoy!

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The Comeback that Never Happened

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Posted 08 Feb 2010 — by spechater
Category NFL

Peyton Manning attempted to mount a comeback in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, but it was too late and the former laughing stock of the NFL, the New Orleans Saints, claimed a 31-17 victory in Super Bowl XLIV.

For all of the bandwagon fans rooting for the Black and Gold, especially with all that the Big Easy has been through since Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc back in 2005, most believed, including me, that the NFL MVP-led Colts would be victorious. I mean, how could you doubt Peyton Manning, especially with how he dissected the NFL’s top defense in the AFC Championship game?  So when the Saints took a 24-17 lead with over five minutes remaining in regulation, I was 100% positive that the Colts would tie the game and probably set up the first overtime game in Super Bowl history (I guarantee the NFL did not want that to happen). And, like clockwork, they began to march down the field.

A pass to wide receiver Pierre Garcon for 17 yards.  A few plays later, a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne.  In a matter of a few minutes, the Colts had made it to the Saints’ 31-yard line. I’m sure that New Orleanians around the French Quarter were probably nervously sipping their Hurricanes at this point. But, a few plays later, it happened.

On 3rd and 5, defensive back Tracy Porter broke on a pass intended for Reggie Wayne and intercepted it, taking it to the house for a championship-sealing touchdown. Replays demonstrate that Porter knew exactly where Peyton Manning wanted to throw the ball and quite simply beat Wayne to the spot. The rest was history. A dejected Manning walked off the field, a look of anguish in his eyes. I think even he knew at that point that it was over. Defeated by his hometown team; the team his father quarterbacked for over 10 years.

As I write this article, I’m sure the streets of New Orleans are still buzzing with joy and excitement. And, I’m pretty sure that many residents called-in to work today. The Colts were outplayed and outcoached by the Saints. Coach Sean Payton made gutsy calls, such as the on-side kick to start the second half, and Super Bowl MVP and future key-to-the-city holder Drew Brees methodically beat the Colts’ defense time and time again.  As for Peyton Manning and the Colts, a long offseason ensues.

Although #18 is a lock for Canton and will arguably go down as one of the top two QBs ever, he will relive that fateful attempted pass to Wayne in his nightmares all summer long. The supreme architect and perfectionist, Manning was not able to muster up the 4th-quarter comeback that has become his trademark. But, he’ll be back and more prepared than ever.

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LET VICK PLAY!

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Posted 23 Jul 2009 — by T.T.S.
Category NFL

Michael VickRodger Goodell, NFL commisioner has a decision to make. In many ways its a tough decision, should he allow Michael Vick who was convicted on bankrolling a dog-fighting organization, the chance to resume what he is most gifted at doing, playing football. The fact Vick served a 20 month sentence should be enough incentive that he has “learned his lesson”, but Rodger Goodell wants to rid the NFL of any headcases. But lets not forget it is FOOTBALL we are talking about, a sport where concussions and strecthers run rampant. If 20 months in prison isnt enough time to be fully exonerated by the public for dog-fighting, how much time is nessecary. And if reinstated Vick faces protesters that feel it nessecary to berate an ex-con, but sadly where absent when other NFL players had run-ins with law enforcement….example

St. Louis Rams linebacker Leonard Little for instance. After leaving a birthday party drunk in 1998, Little crashed into and killed Susan Gutweiler in St. Louis, MO. When tested, his blood alcohol level measured 0.19 percent, a level that exceeds the statutory level of intoxication of 0.08 in the state of Missouri. Little received 90 days in jail, four years probation and 1000 hours of community service.

Six years later, in 2004, Little was again arrested for drunk driving and speeding. The probable cause statement filed by police said Little had bloodshot and watery eyes, smelled of alcohol and failed three sobriety tests. Because of Little’s 1999 guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter in his drunken-driving crash case, prosecutors charged him as a persistent offender. This made it a felony case. Little was acquitted of driving while intoxicated, but was convicted only of the misdemeanor speeding charge.

This example isnt to compare the killing of a human to a killing of a dog, but the scrutiny that falls on Vick far outweighs what Little dealt with. Of course Michael Vick was a much more popular figure and the fact he played a posistion(quarterback) that was always surrounded by a racial cloud, could be the reason for so much negativity. But he served his time, he has kids, and a huge debt to the Atlanta Falcons. Let Vick play, and when he does get the chance lets all focus on the present and not what he has already paid dearly for.

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