The Memory Makers

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:48:37 GMT

SUPER BOWL XLIV MOST-WATCHED TV SHOW OF ALL TIME
153.4 MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS AVERAGE VIEWERSHIP TOPS M*A*S*H FINALE

The 2009 NFL season concluded with another record as Super Bowl XLIV reached a total audience of 153.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched show in U.S. television history according to Nielsen Media Research. The Colts-Saints championship game topped the previous mark of 151.6 million total viewers set last year (Cardinals-Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII). Super Bowls account for the 19 most-watched programs in history in terms of total audience.

Most-Watched TV Programs, Total Viewers

Super Bowl XLIV (Colts-Saints), 2/7/10 153.4 million
Super Bowl XLIII (Cardinals-Steelers), 2/1/09 151.6 million
Super Bowl XLII (Giants-Patriots), 2/3/08 148.3 million
Super Bowl XXXVIII (Patriots-Panthers), 2/1/04 144.4 million
Super Bowl XL (Steelers-Seahawks), 2/5/06 141.4 million ******Source: NFL, Nielsen Media Research

In addition, a record average of 106.5 million viewers watched Super Bowl XLIV – topping the previous mark of 106 million for the series finale of M*A*S*H in 1983 and an eight percent increase over last year’s Super Bowl (98.7 million viewers).

Super Bowl XLIV earned a 45.0 household rating marking the highest-rated Super Bowl in 14 years (46.0 rating for Cowboys-Steelers in Super Bowl XXX, January 1996) and a seven percent increase over last year’s 42.0.

NFL Network’s Super Bowl Classics features the complete CBS broadcast of Super Bowl XLIV with Jim Nantz and Phil Simms calling the action along with all of the network’s original graphics.
Tuesday February 9
- 7:00pm CT – Super Bowl Classics: SB XLIV – New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts HD [3 HRS]

Note that NFL Network will also carry live the Saints victory parade at 5 PM CT today and will have a special NFL Total Access at 6 PM CT tonight

World Champs

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:45:31 GMT

Miami Gardens, Fla. – Leading 24-17 and trying to stop the Colts, CB Tracy Porter intercepted a Peyton Manning pass and raced 74-yards for a touchdown that gave the Saints a 31-17 lead. Porter, a native of Louisiana, delivered the first Super Bowl title in Saints history.

The Saints staved off two consecutive early scoring drives that staked the Colts to a 10-0 lead and responded with two long distance field goals by Garrett Hartley, including a 46-yard as time expired in the first half to bring the Saints to within four points of the Colts, 10-6.

The Saints out gained to Colts in the first half, 179 yards to 169 yards with the ten yard advantage primarily in passing game, as Drew Brees threw for 164 yards in the first half to Peyton Manning’s 97 yards.

The Indianapolis Colts opened the scoring with a 38-yard field goal by Matt Stover, giving the Colts a 3-0 lead 7:31 into the game and followed it up with a 96-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Colts QB Peyton Manning to WR Pierre Garcon that made the score 10-0. The Saints responded early in the second quarter when K Garrett Hartley hit a 46-yard field goal and the second year kicker finished the half with a 44-yard effort that made the score 10-6.

The Saints won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff from Colts kicker Matt Stover. KR Courtney Roby returned the kickoff 20 yards to the Saints’ 23. On first down RB Pierre Thomas tried the middle of the line for a gain of two yards, and on second down Brees checked a pass down to Thomas for a pickup of six yards. Brees, on third down, tried to hit a streaking Robert Meachem down the seam but overthrew the speedster by a few feet. Thomas Morstead hit a 42-yard punt that wasn’t returned for any yards as Roby hit rushing as soon as he caught the punt at the Indy 27.

Indianapolis and Peyton Manning came out firing on first down, with an 18-yard completion to TE Dallas Clark on first down. On the ensuing first down from the 45, RB Joseph Addai picked up two yards, while a second down pass to Addai picked up four yards. The Colts converted their first third down of the game when Manning hit Clark over the middle for a gain of seven yards. The Saints again seemed to have the Colts facing a third and long (seven yards), but Manning found WR Austin Collie for a gain of 14 yards and another first down. Addai the picked up three yards on the ground on first down, but the Colts were guilty of an illegal motion on G Kyle DeVan, which pushed the Colts back five yards. Manning and Addai then teamed to pick up seven yards, but the Saints stopped the Colts on a third-and-five when Manning and WR Pierre Garcon couldn’t connect and the Colts ended the 11-play, 53 yard drive with a 38-yard field goal by Stover.

The Saints began their second drive at their own 26 and after a first down incompletion, Brees hit Marques Colston for a gain of three yards. On third-and-seven Brees found Reggie Bush over the middle of the field for a completion, and Bush turned it up-field and picked up 16 yards and a first down. After a three-yard run by Bush, Brees found Colston over the middle, but the big receiver appeared to take his eyes off the ball at the last second and dropped a pass. Brees tried to find Colston again on third down but S Matt Giordano broke the pass up. Morstead hit a 46-yard punt that was down at the Indy by Roby.

On first down Manning threw a short pass to RB Donald Brown that picked up 11 yards and a first down. On the next first down Manning’s pass to Brown was incomplete. Addai found a hole for 16 yards on second down. On first down from the 31 pressure from LB Scott Shanle forced an incompletion, but Addai came right back with a pick up of 11 yards and another first down. Manning and Reggie Wayne picked up five yards to the Indy 47, and Brown picked up four yards on second down. On a third-and-one Addai shook a tackle and went for 26 yards. After a first down incompletion, Brown picked up four yards on a carry up the middle. On third-and-six from the 19, Manning faked a handoff and found WR Pierre Garcon in the end zone for a touchdown. After Stover’s extra point the Colts led 10-0 with :36 left in the first quarter.

The Saints responded with an 11-play drive that covered 60 yards in 6:02. Big plays on the drive included an 11-yard pass from Brees to Colston, a short run by Bush that was aided by Colts LB Phillip Wheeler hit Bush out of bounds and added 15 yards to the run, and a 10-yard completion between Brees and Colston. The drive ended on a third-and-three from the Indy 22 when DE Dwight Freeney sacked Brees for a loss of seven-yards. K Garrett Hartley put the Saints on the scoreboard with a 46-yard field goal that made the score 10-3.

The Saints then forced a Colts three-and-out, with Pat McAfee hitting a 44 yard effort that was fair caught by Bush at the Saints’ 28.

The Saints began the drive with a first down incompletion on a pass intended for TE Jeremy Shockey, but Brees came right back and hit Pierre Thomas for a gain of six yards. Brees and Colston converted the third down with a 13-yard completion. Bush then added a yard rushing on first down, and Brees and Shockey teamed up for a gain of seven yards on second down. On third down Brees found WR Lance Moore for a gain of 21 yards to the Indy 23. Devery Henderson was then stopped for a loss of seven yards on first down, but on second-and-17 Brees hit Colston over the middle for a gain of 27 yards to the Colts’ 3. CB Kelvin Hayden stopped Brees and Moore for no gain on a first down out route. Zach Strief was then flagged for a false start that pushed the Saints back five yards, but Thomas picked up seven yards on a second down carry to the Colts’ one-yard line on the final play before the two-minute warning.

On a third-and-goal Bell tried to get around the right tackle but slipped in the face of heavy Colts pressure. The Colts called their first timeout of the half with 1:55 remaining and the Saints facing a fourth-and-goal from the one. The Saints showed a multiple receiver set and ran a handoff to Thomas, who was stopped short of the goal line by LB Gary Brackett and LB Clint Session.

Indianapolis attempted to come off the goal line with inside runs and picked up four yards by Mike Hart on first down and five yards by Addai on second down. The Saints called their first timeout of the half with: 51 remaining and with the Colts facing a third-and-one. The Saints stacked up Hart at the line of scrimmage when Bobby McCray split a block and stopped the running back. The Saints called their second timeout with :46 left in the half and forced McAfee to punt from his own end zone. McAfee hit a 46-yard punt that Bush returned four yards to the Saints’ 48.

Brees hit Henderson over the middle for a gain of 19 yards and Brees directed the team to the line of scrimmage when he clocked the ball with :20 left. Brees then hit Henderson in the flat for gain of six yards and the Saints called their final timeout with :11 left. Brees hit Bush for a short gain and the running back stepped out of bounds with :05 left. Hartley ended the first half with a 44-yard field goal that narrowed the margin to 10-6 after the first half.

The Saints started the second half with a surprise onside kickoff that was recovered by LB Jonathan Casillas. The ball appeared to hit Colts receiver Hank Baskett but Reis came out of the pile with it at the Saints’ 42. Brees then hit Thomas over the middle for a gain of 12 yards. Brees then found Henderson crossing over the middle for a gain of nine yards and came right back to Henderson for five yards and a first down. Colston then helped Brees continue his hot hand, as the two teamed up for a gain of nine yards to the Indy 23. Thomas hit a cutback run for seven yards to the 16 for a first down and on the next play Brees hit Thomas on a screen pass that the elusive running back turned into a touchdown and the Saints’ first lead of the game, 13-10.

Starting at the Indy 24, Manning hit Clark for seven yards, then Addai for five yards and a first down. Addai then weaved his way through a hole for an 11-yard gain and another first down. Manning connected with Collie for a gain of two yards before Scott Fujita tracked him down. Addai tried a cutback run before being stopped by Hargrove on second down and the Colts, on a third and four witnessed Manning roll to his right and loft a perfect pass to Clark for a gain of 27 yards to the Saints’ 20. Manning tried to find Clark again but Shanle batted the ball away. A short completion and a run brought up another third down, with Manning again finding Clark over the middle of the field. Two plays later Addai spun out of a tackle and found the end zone from four yards out, giving the Colts the lead, 17-13, with 6:15 left in the third quarter.

Roby then returned the ensuing kickoff 34 yards to the Saints’ 34, where after an officials timeout the Saints set up shop. Thomas started the drive with a five-yard run. Brees found Bush circling out of the backfield for a 13-yard gain to the Indy 48. Following a first down incompletion, Brees hit Henderson for a gain of 12 yards and another first down. A first down completion to Meachem didn’t net any yards, but a second down carry by Thomas added three yards to the drive. A third down pass to Shockey picked up four yards, but was three yards shy of the first down. Hartley, with a 47-yard field goal, became the first player in Super Bowl history to convert three field goals from 40-yards or further in a single game. The score, after Hartley’s third field goal was 17-16.

The Saints’ Anthony Hargrove and Malcolm Jenkins leveled kickoff return man Chad Simpson at the Indy 11 after Morstead’s 74-yard kickoff. Manning and Collie started the drive with a nine-yard completion and Brown converted a second down into a first down with a five yard run. Manning, on the final play of the third quarter, found Collie for a gain of four yards. Manning then found Garcon cutting towards the middle of the field for a gain of 17 yards for another first down. Jonathan Vilma stopped Addai in the backfield for a loss of two yards on first down, and Manning tried to find Wayne deep downfield on second down but tight coverage by Tracy Porter forced an incompletion. On third-and-12 Manning found Wayne for a gain of nine yards, and Manning convinced the Indy coaching staff to go for it on fourth-and-three, with Manning finding Wayne on a slant for 14 yards to the Saints’ 32. Addai then picked up two yards on first down, but Malcolm Jenkins stopped Collie for a loss of three yards on second down. Vilma defended a seam route on third down, which forced Stover to try a 51-yard field goal, which he pulled to the left, giving the Saints the ball at the Saints’ 41.

Bush started the drive with an inside handoff that he turned into a 12-yard gain and into Indy territory. Brees then bought time and hit Pierre Thomas for a five-yard gain. Brees and Henderson teamed up for Henderson’s sixth reception of the game, this time a six-yarder for a first down. Brees and Bush then joined forces on a completion of eight yards to Indy 28. Brees found Colston for eight more yards to the 20 and another first down. Meachem then took a smoke screen and broke two tackles and picked up six yards to the 14. David Thomas caught his first reception of the game on a pass over the middle to the five for a gain of nine yards. Pierre Thomas then took a handoff and picked up three yards and on second down Brees hit Shockey slanting into the end zone for a touchdown. On the drive Brees hit all seven of his passes. The Saints went for two points but were stopped when Moore couldn’t haul in a pass attempt from Brees. The Saints led 22-17 with 5:42 left to play in the game. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton challenged the ruling on the field, stating that Moore had possession of the ball and got it over the goal-line, thus giving the Saints the two-point conversion and a lead, 24-17.

Brees’ 32 completions tied a Super Bowl record for most completions in a game (Tom Brady-Super Bowl XXXVIII against Carolina).

Simpson returned the ball to the Colts’ 30 with 5:35 left in the game and with the Colts trailing with a touchdown and an extra point. Ryan Diem was hit with a false start penalty on first and ten, but Manning bought plenty of time and hit Garcon for a 17-yard gain. Jenkins dove in front of a pass intended for Wayne and knocked the pass away. Manning came back and found Garcon for ten yards and then Wayne for 12 yards. Wayne reeled in another pass for a gain of five yards on first down and the Saints pressured Manning into an incompletion on second down from the Saints’ 31. On third and five Wayne tried to find Wayne but Porter stepped in front of the pass and streaked 74-yards for a touchdown that gave the Saints a 31-17 lead with 3:12 left.

Manning hit Clark for a short gain before being drilled over the middle by Jenkins on a crushing hit after a pickup of five yards. Manning and Clark completed another pass, this time for 11 yards. Manning and Collie teamed up for a 41-yard completion on the final play before the two-minute warning.

Manning and Addai then joined forces for a 17-yard completion, and again for six yards on the next play with Hargrove getting flagged for a late hit. Manning tried to hit Garcon in the end zone, but Garcon was flagged for offensive pass interference with 1:27 left in the game. Manning hit Addai over the middle on a pass that took the ball to the Saints’ three with 1:16 left and the Colts used their first timeout of the second half. Shanle batted a Manning pass into the air on second down and on a third down Addai tried the middle of the line but was stopped by Sedrick Ellis. On fourth down Manning’s pass was batted away by Shanle.

Rickey Jackson Headed to Hall of Fame

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:22:40 GMT

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Announced

CANTON, OHIO – Guard Russ Grimm, linebacker Rickey Jackson, cornerback Dick LeBeau, running back Floyd Little, defensive tackle John Randle, wide receiver Jerry Rice, and running back Emmitt Smith make up the Class of 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinees.

The seven-man class was elected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee who met today in South Florida. The newest members of the Hall were selected from a list of 17 finalists who had been determined earlier by the committee.

Grimm was a steadying force of the Washington Redskins’ offensive line known as “The Hogs.” The standout guard earned All-NFL acclaim and Pro Bowl trips four consecutive seasons.

Jackson helped turn the Saints from perennial losers to a playoff contender and becomes the first long-time player from the team to be elected to the Hall of Fame. He was named first-team All-NFL four times in his career.

LeBeau, was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns but cut, joined the Lions shortly thereafter. He went on to enjoy a 14-year career that saw him intercept 62 passes. That total currently ranks third all-time among cornerbacks.

Little, the first 1,000-yard rusher in Denver Broncos history, was a versatile star who amassed more than 12,000 all-purpose yards on rushing, receiving, punt returns, and kickoff returns during his nine-season career.

Randle, a seven-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro pick, amassed 137.5 sacks during his career with the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks. A member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s, he played in 219 career games.

Rice played an amazing 20 seasons and owns virtually every major receiving record. In all, he caught 1,549 passes for 22,895 yards and scored a total of 208 touchdowns.

Smith is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards and scored a record 164 rushing touchdowns. He won four NFL rushing titles and gained 1,000 yards in a record 11 straight seasons.

The 2010 class will increase to 260 the number of all-time greats permanently honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Enshrinement of the Class of 2010 will take place at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Enshrinement Ceremony will be televised live by both ESPN and the NFL Network.

The annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game that kicks off the NFL’s preseason will be played on Sunday, August 8, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. and broadcast live by NBC. Teams have not yet been announced.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival is a 10-day celebration of the enshrinement of the newest Hall of Fame Class.

Held in Canton each year, the festival includes 19 special public events and culminates with the Enshrinement Ceremony and Hall of Fame Game. Two other major events are the Enshrinees Dinner (Friday, August 6), and the Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable (Sunday, August 8). It is at the Enshrinees Dinner where each member of the Class of 2010 will be presented his gold Pro Football Hall of Fame Jacket. At the GameDay Roundtable, the members of the Class of 2010 will be featured center stage to share memories of the game and their personal feelings about being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Individual enshrinement tickets and Festival Fan & Travel Packages are on sale now. Ticket information can be found on the Hall of Fame’s website at Profootballhof.com.

Also, for the first time fans were invited to vote this year for their choice for the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the VanHeusen Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan’s Choice.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation and JCPenney Company teamed to provide the first-ever dedicated forum for fans to debate, discuss and voice their choice by voting for the Hall of Fame Enshrinee Class of 2010. The robust forum also included stats on all candidates and opinions from football experts, Hall of Fame players and fans around the country. For more on the Fan’s Choice, visit www.fanschoice.com.

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2010

RUSS GRIMM
Guard … 6-3, 273 … Pittsburgh … 1981-1991 Washington Redskins … 11 seasons, 140 games … Selected in third round (69th player overall) in 1981 NFL Draft … Originally pegged to play center, moved to left guard as rookie … Immediate starter on line that earned nickname "The Hogs" … Teaming with tackle Joe Jacoby, formed perhaps most punishing side of an offensive line in football at the time … With Grimm’s speed and strength, Redskins rode success of dominating running attack to victory in Super Bowl XVII in which John Riggins rushed for then-record 166 yards … During playoff run that year, team averaged 152 yards rushing … Following 1983 season, Grimm was selected to first of four straight Pro Bowls … Also marked start of four consecutive years (1983-86) of All-Pro recognition … Also named All-NFC in each of those seasons … In 1987 moved to center and started five games before being sidelined until season finale with knee injury … Missed 11 games in 1988 with knee injury … Appeared in five NFC championship games and four Super Bowls including wins in Super Bowls XVII, XXII, XXVI … Elected to NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team … Born May 2, 1959 in Scottdale, Pennsylvania.

RICKEY JACKSON
Linebacker … 6-2, 243 … Pittsburgh … 1981-1993 New Orleans Saints, 1994-95 San Francisco 49ers … 15 playing season, 227 games … Selected by Saints in 2nd round (51st player overall) in 1981 draft … One of key players that fueled New Orleans transition from perennial losers into contenders in late 1980s … Made immediate impact as rookie when he led team with franchise rookie record eight sacks and was leading tackler … In 1983 established himself as elite pass rusher recording 12 sacks … That year marked first of six double-digit sack totals in career … Also earned Jackson first of six trips to Pro Bowl … Named first-team All-Pro 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993 … In 1987, Saints first winning season, Jackson recorded 9.5 sacks, 74 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions … Saints captured their first-ever division title in 1991 and Jackson recorded 11.5 sacks, 59 tackles, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and three passes defensed … Team never finished below .500 during Jackson’s final seven years … Jackson finished NFL career with two seasons with 49ers who converted him to defensive end and pass rush specialist … Retired after 1995 season with 128 career sacks that does not include rookie total since sack did not become official statistic until 1982 … Also intercepted eight passes during career … Born March 20, 1958 in Pahokee, Florida.

DICK LEBEAU
Cornerback … 6-1, 185 … Ohio State … 1959-1972 Detroit Lions … 14 playing seasons, 185 games … Selected by Cleveland Browns in 5th round (58th overall) in 1959 draft … Cut by Browns during rookie training camp … Signed with Lions, earned place in starting lineup final six games of rookie year … Didn’t miss another game until late in 1971 season … Started 171 consecutive games, an NFL record for his position … In 1960, began to make mark by intercepting four passes, starting string of 12 straight seasons with three or more interceptions … In 1963, intercepted five passes which he returned for career-high 158 yards, including 70-yard TD return against Rams … It was one of three interceptions he returned for touchdowns in career … The following year, intercepted five passes and was voted to first of three consecutive Pro Bowls … Also earned All-NFL second-team accolades, an honor earned again in 1965, 1966, 1970 … Finest season came in 1970 when he recorded NFC-leading nine interceptions for 96 yards … In all, recorded 62 picks for 762 yards … Ranked second among pure cornerbacks at retirement with 62 interceptions, third overall … Currently ranks third all-time among pure cornerbacks … Born on September 9, 1937 in London, Ohio.

FLOYD LITTLE
Running Back … 5-10, 196 … Syracuse … 1967-1975 Denver Broncos … Nine playing seasons, 117 games … Selected by Denver in first round (6th player overall) of 1967 AFL-NFL Draft … Initially used mostly as return specialist . . . As rookie, led AFL in punt returns with 16.9 average on 16 returns … Scored only touchdown on a punt return that season in AFL, 72 yards against the Jets … Also returned career-high 35 kickoffs for 942 yards … In third year averaged league-high and career best 5.0 yards per carry rushing … In 1971, became Broncos’ first 1,000-yard rusher … Won NFL rushing title that year with 1,133 yards on 284 carries and 6 TDs … Receiving threat out of backfield, caught 25-plus passes in each of final five seasons … Had knack for finding end zone … During three-year stretch, 1971-1973 scored combined 32 TDs rushing and receiving … Named to two AFL All-Star Games, three AFC-NFC Pro Bowls … Named All-AFL/NFL twice, All-AFC first- or second-team four straight years … Amassed more than 12,000 all-purpose yards and 54 TDs … Gained 6,323 yards on 1,641 career carries, scored 43 TDs … Added 215 receptions for 2,418 yards, 9 TDs … Totaled 893 yards on 81 career punt returns, 2 TDs; returned 104 kickoffs for 2,523 yards in his nine-season career … Born July 4, 1942 in New Haven, Connecticut.

JOHN RANDLE
Defensive Tackle … 6-1, 278 … Trinity Valley Community College (TX); Texas A&I … 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks … 14 playing seasons, 219 games … Little All-America pick as a senior at Texas A&I … Signed by Vikings as an undrafted free agent … Played in all 16 games as a rookie … Recorded 137.5 sacks during career . . Had eight consecutive seasons (1992-99) with 10-plus sacks and a ninth in 2001 … In 1997 had career best and league leading 15.5 sacks, and career high 71 tackles (39 solo) … Signed a free agent contract with Seahawks in 2001 and turned in one of most productive seasons in team history with 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and fumble recovery in end zone for a TD … Named first-team All-Pro/All-NFC six consecutive years (1993-98) and once All-AFC with Seahawks (2001) … Selected to play in seven Pro Bowls (1994-99, 2002) … Led Minnesota defensive line recording double digit sack totals in three of four years that Vikings won NFC Central Division titles and eight sacks in fourth … Born December 12, 1967 in Hearne, Texas.

JERRY RICE
Wide Receiver … 6-2, 200 … Mississippi Valley State … 1985-2000 San Francisco 49ers, 2001-04 Oakland Raiders, 2004 Seattle Seahawks … 20 playing seasons, 303 games … Selected by 49ers in first round (16th player overall) of 1985 draft … Averaged 18.9 yards per catch on 49 receptions for 927 yards and 3 TDs as rookie … In 1986 caught 86 passes for a league-leading 1,570 yards and led the NFL in touchdown catches with 15 … Marked first of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons … Also recorded double-digit receiving touchdowns in nine of next 10 seasons … In 1987 set the NFL record for touchdown receptions in season with 22 … Four seasons with 100-plus catches … Led NFL in receiving yards six times including NFL record 1,848 yards in 1995 … Led NFL in touchdown receptions six times … Owns virtually every significant receiving mark including receptions (1,549); receiving yards (22,895); most 1,000-yard receiving seasons (14); total touchdowns (208); combined net yards (23,546) … Holds multiple playoff and Super Bowl records … Played in eight conference championships and four Super Bowls … Earned three Super Bowl rings with 49ers and was named MVP in Super Bowl XXIII … Named first-team All-Pro 11 consecutive seasons and voted to 13 Pro Bowls … A member of NFL’s All-Decade Teams of 1980s and 1990s and NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team … Born October 13, 1962 in Starksville, Mississippi.

EMMITT SMITH
Running Back … 5-9, 207 … Florida … 1990-2002 Dallas Cowboys, 2003-04 Arizona Cardinals … 15 playing seasons, 226 games … Selected by Dallas in first round (17th player overall) of 1990 draft … Rushed for 937 yards, 11 touchdowns to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors … Second season rushed for league-leading 1,563 yards … Won rushing crowns in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995 … Led NFL in rushing touchdowns three times and accumulated 277 pass receptions during that same five-season period … In 1995, recorded career highs for rushing yards (1,773), rushing touchdowns (25), and receptions (62) … Major contributor to Cowboys Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII, XXX victories … Named first-team All-Pro 1992-95 … In 1993, named NFL’s MVP and MVP in Super Bowl XXVIII … After narrowly missing the 1,000-yard mark as rookie, embarked on a record run of 11 straight seasons with 1,000 yards rushing … Streak came to end in 2002 when he missed the 1,000-yard mark by 25 yards … On Oct. 27, 2002 in game vs. Seattle Seahawks, he supplanted Walter Payton as the NFL’s all-time rushing leader … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s … Career totals of 18,355 yards and a 164 touchdowns rushing, 515 receptions for 3,224 yards and 11 touchdowns … Born May 15, 1969 in Pensacola, Florida.

Saints Go Through Final Practice Before SB XLIV

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:04:14 GMT

New Orleans Pool Report

Saturday, February 6, 2010

By Ashley Fox

Under a sunny sky and with the wind whipping across the field, the New Orleans Saints held their final walk-through of the season at 12:30 p.m. today at Sun Life Stadium in preparation for Super Bowl XLIV. All 53 players on the active roster were present.

Wearing shells and shorts, the players opened the 45-minute walk-through by running and stretching. The first-team offense ran through a handful of plays, followed by the first-team defense and special teams. Drew Brees wore a red No. 9 jersey, and he laughed with Reggie Bush after one particular play.

“I’m excited, just excited,” coach Sean Payton said afterward. “You get to this point and your concerns are always the scheduling and the logistics and the travel, and all of that was pretty smooth. So it’s good. At this point, everyone’s ready. It’s been two weeks already, so we’re ready to go.”

Reserve cornerback Randall Gay, who was absent from Friday’s practice with an illness, was on the sideline during the walk-through. Payton said that Gay had had a cold, with congestion, but said he would be ready to go tomorrow night. Reserve running back Lionel Hamilton, who missed practice the entire week, also watched from the sideline. When asked Hamilton’s status for tomorrow, Payton said “we’ll see how he does on Sunday.”

Payton said it will be business as usual leading up to the game, with meetings scheduled for tonight and tomorrow morning. Payton set curfew at 11 p.m. Although he has had guest speakers address the team at times during the season, Payton was noncommittal about whether he would do so again tomorrow, when the team has its final formal team meeting leading up to the game.

As is customary on Saturdays during the season, Payton invited all sons of players to attend the walk-through. About two dozen did – more than usual – and while the players practiced, the boys posed for a group photo and played touch football on the sideline. After almost everyone had left the field, Payton’s 9-year-old son Connor attempted five field goals with a black-and-gold football and with his father acting as his holder. Connor hit the cross bar once and the upright another time before making his last attempt from the nine-yard line.

“There’s a lot of challenges with coaching, in regards to family time,” Payton said. “Every once in a while, you get one of these opportunities, and it helps make up for it.”

Saints Head Coach Sean Payton Talks About the Week of Work

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:25:15 GMT

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS HEAD COACH SEAN PAYTON

(Opening statement) “It’s been a good week of practice. We have two more; one today and a walk-through tomorrow at the stadium.”

(On the importance of Drew Brees’ comfort during the game and how they will achieve that) “Well I think the flow of a game is important for a quarterback. You try to look at the defense that you’re getting and try to get some rhythm for him. He’s a guy that can get real hot early and I look at it as a coach, our coaches look at it, as certainly an objective of ours. Sometimes it’s through intermediate throws, sometimes a screen, sometimes a throw down the field. Just having the right balance and mix is important, but I do think that (comfort) is important in any big game.”

(On how the team has handled the Super Bowl week) “We’re on our normal schedule. There are a few little nuances just in regards to the bus logistics. This event here is a little different. We’re in meetings right now. But this is something that we’ve done before in regards to travel and relocate. Our London game last year; Houston in the pre-season this year; with (Hurricane) Gustav last year we relocated to Indianapolis. You know, you set up shop in the hotel much like you would at training camp. You get your meetings established, you get your itinerary established and you try to stay in routine. Those are things that are important.”

(On the game against the Dolphins and how it was a turning point for the team) “Well just in regards to the game, you know, as the season goes on you find yourself playing with leads, playing with deficits, and certainly in that game we fell behind, didn’t play too well early and Miami did a great job. We kind of hung in there in the second half and made a few plays, got some turnovers and capitalized on them, and that ended up really making the difference and giving us a chance to win. All those things, I think, build confidence and you hope to draw on those things in the post-season. Certainly that was a handful, one of a handful of games where we fell behind and battled back and were able to overcome some early mistakes.”

(On Saints DT Remi Ayodele) “Remi’s done a good job. He is someone that gives us size inside. He’s athletic. He’s a good worker and he’s been a nice edition really when you look at him as being someone we were able to sign as a free agent.”

(On the city of New Orleans and the team rebuilding together) “The relationship with the fans I think is unique. This is a city that really has been very close to this team through a lot of hard times. After Katrina, when the Saints were able to get back and play in the Super Dome, certainly there was some symbolism that evening. I think playing good football and giving them something to be proud of is important. With as visible as many of our players are in the community, and many of them are just because of the logistics of where they live, I think all of those things make it positive and make it pretty special.”

(On how his experience in Dallas prepared him to get to this point in his career) “Well I had three years there. I was fortunate to have had certainly three years with the Dallas Cowboys, an organization like that with Bill Parcells, three years before that with the New York Giants and those are a couple flagship organizations that have won a lot. Being with the people there in Dallas; Mr. (Jerry) Jones and his family, Bill (Parcells) and the staff we put together, Bill put together, was a great experience for me. I consider myself fortunate to have had a chance to be touched by all these people that we’re talking about, and they are a big reason that I’m sitting here today. It was very important, very instrumental in my development.”

(On acquiring TE David Thomas this year) “Well, we had lost Billy Miller in the preseason to an injury, an Achilles, and we knew New England had a lot of depth at tight end. We had done trades with them before, and it was just a matter of just trying to find out maybe if any one of those players would be available and fortunately we were, in our case, able to obtain Dave. He’s a guy that plays at a lot of different spots. He’s versatile, he’s smart and you know exactly what you’re getting. Sometimes, you’ve got to be careful to not play him too many snaps. With Jeremy’s (Shockey) health a few weeks ago, he was playing more than maybe you would have liked. But he’s certainly been an important part of what we’re doing offensively and gives us flexibility.”

(On any time spent with his family this week) “Last night was the one night we went out. A lot of the families got in yesterday, and I went out with my immediate family and in-laws and sisters and brother and just got something to eat and then got home and got some rest. It’s really the one night to do it. So it’s a great experience for the family members. They can come down here and enjoy themselves, and the key is just managing the distractions as players and coaches and handling that the right way.”

(On meeting his wife at Indiana State and his family ties to Indiana) “Well, I don’t know if they’ve been rooting for this matchup, but I’ve got a lot of family back in Indiana. Beth and I met at Indiana State when I was coaching. Her family is from back in that area, Morocco, Ind., which is in the northern part of the state. I spent two years as a coach (there). My high school coach was from Indiana. Had a lot of good friends and family that lived back there. My brother and sister-in-law live in Greenwood, just south of Indianapolis, and I think all of them were on the flight out here yesterday and probably were the only ones wearing Saints jerseys. But I consider that region home. Being from Illinois, you really, as you move from one state to the other, unless there was a sign that told you you were entering Indiana, you wouldn’t know it. So there has been a lot of people that I’ve met and am close with over the years there, and it’s still a pretty special place for me.”

(On how he has grown as a head coach since his first training camp) “Well, I think you’re learning all the time. I think that certainly, just as we ask our players to improve, study, hone their skills, the same has to be expected of us. There’s certain experiences that are hard to simulate, maybe, and each year, something – something maybe little, something maybe big – comes up, and you deal with it and reflect back sometimes at the end of the season. You try to look at ways where you can improve as a head coach. I think that’s the nature of teaching – at least good teaching – so that’s something we try to pay very close attention to.”

(On what a Super Bowl victory would mean to him personally) “You know, one of the things that you talk to your players about, an accomplishment like that almost binds you forever as a team, a coaching staff. More important than any of the celebration or any of the other things that go along with winning a championship, I think that in itself is pretty significant.”

(On if there’s a danger of getting too wrapped up in trying to play for the city of New Orleans) “Well, I think throughout the course of the week and by game time, I don’t think when we meet or talk, there’s any of this, ‘We’ve got to win one for the city’ speech. In other words, I think that’s just a sense, a feeling that exists or permeates really throughout the course of the year or throughout the course of the players’ time here. That sense of or that feeling of, ‘This is pretty important to everyone,’ and they remind us daily how great the fans are. They remind us daily how important it is to them. So that being said, I think games like this come down to the execution, the details. Players will be excited to play. All the little things that really allow you to win games and all the little things that potentially could cause you to lose games, and I think they understand that.”

(On if there’s a word he attributes to his team this week and if he expects to sleep well on Saturday night) “Focus is a good word. That’s kind of one of the things that we’ve talked about all week long. And I think (despite) the challenges that exist during the course of your week that break up maybe your routine or things you battle against, I’ll sleep fine. Just like any other game, you’ll have a routine. But I think that overall, the work week’s going well, and I think that the schedule and the way our players have managed the schedule and the distractions, that they’ve handled it well.”

(On how much offensive flexibility is taken into consideration when constructing the roster) “A lot of it is, when you sign a player, you have to have a vision for the player. In other words, we’re not going to draft and sign, and then when they arrive say, ‘’Well, we’ll do this.’ Generally, when you sign a free agent player, you have a pretty clear vision as to what you want to do with him. I think it’s important each year to be flexible in regards to the health of your team, in regards to whose playing well, and to try to put them in good situations that give them a chance to be successful. He (TE David Thomas) provides some flexibility in that he plays ‘Y,’ he plays ‘X,’ he can do a number of things. That’s a good trait to have.”

(On the task of getting his team ready for the playoffs after losing the final three games of the regular season) “I think the key was preparing to play well in the playoffs. Much was made of finishing the regular season and a lot was written about it. Most importantly, it was just getting prepared physically and mentally to play the divisional round, no different than the approach Indianapolis was taking. Certainly, we wanted to win, a couple of those close games we weren’t able to. To get guys healthy, and to really focus on taking advantage of playing at home against Arizona, and then home again the next week against Minnesota, that becomes most important.”

(On what he has learned from football that he applies to his daily life) “Hard work. I think that commitment is critical. The challenge often times is finding that balance with football and family. It can at times consume you and take from family time, and that’s something that I think you have to pay attention to always. It’s something that still I can continue to look at from a schedule standpoint and really look and try to evaluate how to do a better job of managing time that way. I think that the commitment aspect of hard work and dedication, those things all would apply.”

(On the relaxed feel of this team this week) “If you go back earlier in the year, this term ‘big game’ was used. In week four against the Giants it was a ‘big game,’ and then week seven or eight another ‘big game,’ and then another one on Monday night against Atlanta. Then there’s another ‘big game’ against the Patriots, so you get used to that idea that we’re in a big game. If you continue to play well, we’re going to be in more games that are certainly bigger than this one, and obviously this is the last game. This is the championship game and yet, that routine, that mindset as to preparation and going and playing, and keeping it just like we’ve done throughout the course of the year. Sure, there’s going to be nerves, and guys are going to be wound up, but we’re going to manage that fine.”

(On if he has done anything to prevent his defense from becoming awed by Peyton Manning) “He’s a tremendous player. We’ve got a lot of respect for his accomplishments, just like we did with Kurt Warner, Hall of Fame player a couple weeks ago, and Brett Favre, another Hall of Fame player last week. We’ve had a stretch here, where each week these guys are special. He’s done it – we were talking about this at breakfast – he’s done it over time. His staying power, and his consistency, and his approach is unique. That’s why it is talked about so much. We’ve got a lot of respect for his abilities and what they’ve done offensively there, and coaches, and preparation. It will be a tremendous challenge for us. We’re going to have our work cut out for us with the way he’s playing.”

Thursday Practice Report

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:56:43 GMT

Saints coach Sean Payton cut back Thursday’s practice about 20 minutes from the previous day and it was by design. He also limited team drills to eight snaps while also interspersing some special teams’ work between offense and team defensive work.

“We’re in the second week now and we can do that,” Payton said. “It was a little warm out here. (Around 80 degrees when practice began.) I think you have to be a little careful; some guys would worry about getting all the plays in. All I was concerned about was getting good work in and we accomplished that.”

For the last 40 minutes of practice, the Saints removed their shoulder pads for shells.

Once again, the only key player who didn’t participate in practice was running back Lynell Hamilton. However, Hamilton, a stout special teams’ player and short-yardage runner, did some jogging on his sore left ankle under the eyes of the training staff.

“He’s feeling better,” Payton said of Hamilton. “I’m hopeful of him playing.”

Once again, the Saints worked on turnover drills where defensive players batted their way through two dummies and then had to cut around a third one before picking up a rolling football. They also used an unusual receivers’ drill where a towel is held on a stick high enough that it blocks the player’s view of an incoming pass.

“There are a lot of times in a game when a player doesn’t have that clear vision when you have to catch a pass in traffic,” Payton said. “It’s a good ball security drill because there are distractions during a game.”

For five minutes at the start of team drills, the sound system at the U. of Miami football fields blared a popular Superdome song during the season by the Ying Yang Twins, “Halftime Stand Up and Get Crunk.” The team also had some crowd noise blaring during some drills although Payton is well aware that neither team will have a dome-noise advantage on Sunday.

Scott Fujita Talks About Playing in Super Bowl XLIV

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:42:07 GMT

LB SCOTT FUJITA

(on the last time the Saints played the Colts in 2007) “It didn’t go real well. They came out and we played them well in the first half, but in the second half they opened it up on us and ran away with the game. It’s an extremely challenging offense to prepare for and they always close things out really well. It’s tough. We’ve got to work it out for us, but I feel good about what we’re doing on defense.”

(on why the Saints are better equipped to handle the Colts now) “We have more depth, way more experience and a lot more maturity than we did years ago, especially on the back end. You talk about (S) Darren Sharper, (CB) Tracy Porter. All those guys are playing at a really high level. I like our matchups a lot against the Colts.”

(on if he was concerned about their matchups going into the 2007 game against the Colts) “I think you’re always concerned anytime you face this offense because they are so dangerous at so many positions. They are so good at what they do. I’ve been telling people all week, this offense is like a machine. They’ve been doing the same thing for a very long time. There’s always concerns about it, but this year I have more confidence than I ever had in the past. I’ve faced them a lot of times. They knocked me out of the playoffs in ’03 when I was with the Chiefs in Kansas City. That loss stung me a lot. They really got after us. We didn’t force one punt that game. The athleticism, the talent and maturity on this team creates much better matchups for us.”

(on getting pressure on QB Peyton Manning) “He’s tough because he’s so intelligent. He recognizes coverages and where blitzes are coming from so early that it’s tough to get to him. You really have to pick your spots. If you’re going to send the house, you better be smart about it. He’s one of those guys that can single handedly beat the pressure sometimes.”

(on if he feels the defenses are being disrespected) “Perhaps a little bit. I know we’ve been disrespected in the past and Indy’s defense has been disrespected in the past as well. Don’t get it twisted. This defense in New Orleans is a huge part of why we’re here today. Creating all the turnovers we did and giving Drew Brees and the offense that many more opportunities to score. There’s a direct correlation between that and our success this year. No doubt about it.”

(on Sean Payton’s leadership) “He’s been everything. Coming in here four years ago, taking a job that I bet a lot of coaches wouldn’t have wanted to take at the time and making a huge investment in bringing in the right kind of guys who understood the bond and the connection between the city and the team and how this whole thing could really be about a lot more than just football. The partnership is so unique. I think he recognizes that. Guys like (QB) Drew (Brees) and I both recognized it when we came in. We have a great locker room. There are no knuckleheads. There are no cancers. There are no problem guys you have to worry about. It’s a bunch of great guys who have come from all over the place. Together, they form a really great team with great chemistry.”

(on if Sean Payton is a player’s coach) “I would say so. Sean does a really good job of sensing the needs and the demands of the team. We don’t need to go to him and say. ‘We need this’ or ‘We need that.’ He senses it. If he thinks we need to back on the reps in practice one day, he does so. If we have to take the pads off one day, he does so. He’s also a really good motivator. Seeing his growth as a head coach the past four years has been great. This year, without question, has been his best.”

(on last week’s practices) “Last week’s practices were pretty intense, but that was coming off a really physical game against Minnesota. We had some guys who needed some rest and weren’t able to practice. It was still kind of a training camp mentality. We’re getting back to the basics. Some of the things that need to be cleaned up, you work on. To be honest, yesterday felt like training camp practices as well, being down here outside in the heat on grass getting ready for the biggest game of your life. We were getting after it. “