On Football, Glory and the ESPY

As a long time Saints fan, or should I say long suffering fan 2009 was pure heaven. Not only did we win the championship but we did it against all odds in an epic game showing guts (on sides kick to open the second half!) and an interception that will be shown for years.

That being said, 2009 is over. Well put by in this article from Canal Street Chronicles:

Share Saints Kick Some ESPY; Now Time to Move On
by Dave Cariello

Had the pleasure of watching the ESPY's last night. Never paid attention to it before this year, when I actually had a horse in the race. A couple of the races actually. The Saints as a team were nominated for two awards, 'Best Moment' - for their Super Bowl XLIV performance - and 'Best Team,' which they took home with them at the end of the night. Drew Brees was the star of the show, earning the award for 'Best Male Athlete' as well as three others.

Sure, winning an ESPY is meaningless. It's a pat on the back, a thumbs up and a Good job! A trophy for having already won a trophy, and a better one at that. One that you've dedicated your entire life to earning. But as a Saints fan, there's something nice about seeing the team get a little more respect on a national stage one last time. With their votes, fans all over the country said We see you. Plus, beating the Yankees at anything is always icing on the cake. I don't know about you but I'm beginning to get used to this winning thing. Not much more and I'm going to start expecting it.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the fun is over. Last night's award ceremony was the going away party for the Saints 2009 championship season. The final celebration. We see you. Now let's see what you've really got. I think the entire organization did a great job of getting the most out of winning but it's time to move on. The record books have been written. Training camp is now just around the corner and with it brings a brand new season. A season that has no memory of the one that came before it.

So I offer my sincere thanks to the Saints for everything they've given us, the fans, this past year. It truly was magical. But it's time for the team to get back to business because the work is not over. Part of winning a championship is how you follow up that championship the ensuing year. The encore performance. Come out flat, and the accomplishments from the year prior are tainted. Come out strong, and they're amplified. The Saints now sit at a fork in the road. Which path will they choose?

At the end of the movie Patton, the General is walking away with a voiceover:

For over a thousand years, Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of a triumph - a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeters and musicians and strange animals from the conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conqueror rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children, robed in white, stood with him in the chariot, or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror, holding a golden crown, and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting.

I believe the Saints have two great challenges this season. One, Sean Payton has to keep his boys hungry. To borrow a music quote from Rocky IV, Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger: "So many times, it happens too fast, You change your passion for glory". The Saints have this challenge that all defending champions have. Everyone has to wants to knock you off and you gotta want it again.

The other challenge is unique. Everyone knew New Orleans would never make it to the playoffs…well, they won the division, no big deal, the NFC South is weak and they’ll get knocked off first game…hey, Minnesota will kick their asses in the NFC Championship, guaranteed….hey, put your money on the Colts…. That presumption that the Saints are not to be taken serious is gone. And it was something in our corner.

I am looking forward to the NFC Title rematch on Thursday September 9th (Minnesota...come out and play...) and the whole season. And to my buddy Wag buying me many lunches at work…and dinner and beer during the playoffs!