Q: We know the Saints are Super Bowl champs, but 2010 is a new season and everybody’s got to start from scratch.  What are your biggest concerns about  the team going into the opener?

A: Returning 20 of 22 starters from last season is a very good start and arguably the defense you see take the field in 2010 should be a much improved unit from last year but if there is one thing you have to point out is how will they respond when everyone is coming for them, ie the hunter has now become the hunted.

Q: Everyone knows the big stars like Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey.  But is there a lesser-known Saints player you particularly like?  An unsung guy who is a personal favorite?

A: Personally I really dig defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove.  He joined the Saints last season fresh out of rehab for drug and alcohol abuse to become one of the Saints best players along the defensive line.  Also there is Pierre Thomas who is never talked about even though he has lead the team in rushing for three straight seasons.

Q:  As a Viking fan, I have absolutely no idea what it feels like for my team to win the Super Bowl.  Is it as amazing as I think?

A:  It is absolutely as amazing as you think.  You simply cannot put into words how it feels for your team to be the absolute best after a lifetime of mediocrity. As a lifelong Saints fans I have been at the butt of many jokes regarding our bottom feeding Saints. Who’s bottom feeding now suckers!

Q:  Admit it:  Some of those hits on Brett Favre last year were dirty.  No?

A:  No I dont think any of the shots were “dirty”. I define dirty as eye gouging. spitting, etc. I would agree that the Saints were vicious in their attempts to get to Favre, but hey that’s football. Did you see some of the hits on Brees including the head hit by 51 (I think Ben Leber)? It happens to say the least but here is a link to a video, not put together by me, on questionable calls in general. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qais_eGMnWk&feature=related

Q:  All right, time to put you on the spot:  What’s your prediction for Thursday night’s game?

A:  Call me superstitious but I never make predictions before games especially when it involves the Saints. I will say I do expect this one to be another instant classic….WHO DAT!

And for my answers to the five questions Keith hit me with, check out his post on Who Dat Dish.

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On their first possession, the Vikings did indeed drive the ball down the field, scoring a touchdown on Adrian Peterson‘s 19-yard run, and greatly reducing the enthusiasm of the Superdome crowd.

The Saints, unfortunately, got the crowd back in it on their own opening possession, when Drew Brees hooked up with Pierre Thomas for an electrifying 38-yard screen pass TD.

The game looked like it might degenerate into a shootout, but after one more score from each club, the defenses began making some plays, slowing down the pace of the game, forcing punts and keeping the score at 14-14 until late in the second quarter.

With time running out in the second, the Saints seemed to hand the Vikings a great opportunity when Reggie Bush muffed a punt, setting the Vikes up with the ball at the Saints’ 10.  Unfortunately, Adrian Peterson saw a recurrence of his ball-handling issues and fumbled away a great chance to take a lead going into the half.

A big part of the story in the early game was the Saints’ hits on Brett Favre, which certainly hurt his 40-year-old body, but didn’t knock him off his game.  Amidst the barrage, Favre was able to hit Sidney Rice for a touchdown pass.

Having withstood the Saints’ early punches, the Vikings now just need to win the second half and they will find themselves facing the Colts in the Super Bowl.

A Wild One

The game began ominously for the Vikings:  The Saints‘ Pierre Thomas received the opening kick off and ran it back 56 yards to set up Drew Brees and the prolific New Orleans offense.  8 efficient plays and a PAT later and the Saints led 7-0.  A poor offensive series ensued for Minnesota; the Saints soon took the ball back, and charged down the field until they were once again knocking on the door of the endzone.  Another TD looked inevitable when Reggie Bush ran 18 yards down to the Minnesota 1.  Then, the football gods in the guise of the officials intervened:  A holding penalty was called, nullifying Bush’s effort and pushing back the Saints.  After failing to achieve the first down the Saints were forced to try a field goal.  Martin Gramatica, not the most reliable kicker to begin with, booted the ball low, allowing Kevin Williams‘ flailing hand to deflect it.  As if by a miracle, the ball landed in the arms of Antoine Winfield who was already running toward the opposite endzone.  Winfield easily outraced the pursuing Saints to score the game-tying, and indeed game-changing, touchdown for Minnesota.

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