Sean ‘Madden 2010’ Payton

Last night’s Super Bowl was entertaining to say the least, and as I did not know anyone who wanted the Colts to win, I feel safe in saying that the popular favorite came out on top. The Saints who came out a bit shaky were able to stay with the Colts in the first half. In the second half, they came out guns firing and took the lead and rode that momentum to become the 44th Super Bowl Champions. The MVP on the field was QB Drew Brees who completed a Super Bowl record 88% (tied with Phil Simms in Super Bowl XXI) of his passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Tracy Porter sealed the game with his ‘pic 6’ in the 4th quarter, and Garrett Hartley became the only player to kick three field goals beyond 40 yards in a Super Bowl. Despite all of the fantastic performances from the players, there is someone else I would like to commend, head coach Sean Payton.

Sean Payton went into that game with an unconventional coaching style that I like to call the ‘Madden Way’. Basically what the ‘Madden Way’ is, is the style of coaching that takes no prisoners. 4th and 15 on your own 30? Eh, I’ll go for it. Be honest, you know when you play Madden, it doesn’t matter what down it is, you’re going deep. Onside kick on the opening kickoff? Why not. Of course Sean Payton didn’t make decisions to those degree, but for the Super Bowl, he was certainly aggressive.

His first unconventional call was towards the end of the first half when the Saints had driven down the field and it was 4th and goal after Pierre Thomas had been held up at the line for no gain. So from the sideline Payton called for the offense to stay on the field and go for it on 4th. They didn’t convert and later got a field goal before The Who stormed the field for halftime. Even though the play didn’t have the desired effect, Payton sent a message that he wasn’t afraid to take risks in order to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to ‘Nawlins’.

Coming out of the lockers at halftime Sean Payton’s heart must have been beating uncontrolably because he was about to attempt an onside kick to start the second half. If it is successful the Saints get the ball in good field position and are given a chance to take their first lead.  However, if the onside kick failed Peyton Manning of all people would have the ball at midfield and be in position to put the Super Bowl out of reach for the Saints. Alas, the risk paid off and the Saints took the lead.

Sean Payton coached that game like he had a game controller in his hand, and I’m sure that no one in New Orleans would have it any other way.