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Saints D Coordinator Williams Is My MVP
By Bill Michaels
The over and under on Kim Kardashian sightings never really took hold for the fact that CBS focused squarely on the game and, for the most part, that’s where my attention was targeted. Aside from the lackluster commercials and the screeching owl-like vocals of the elderly Who at the half, the game was the centerpiece, as it should have been.
For as much hype as Saints Defensive Coordinator, Gregg Williams, received this past week for his tough comments regarding his defense’s attitude towards Peyton Manning, Williams came up with a brilliant game plan. Drew Brees took home the Super Bowl MVP hardware, and rightfully so, for the way he played but Williams should be recognized for his coaching masterpiece in holding Manning and the Colts to a mere 17 points. Williams’ Saints mixed it up with 3 and 4 down linemen, mixing in 3 and 4 linebackers and continuously disguising the blitz pressure to the point that Manning, and his receivers, looked confused at times. Early on, Manning to Dallas Clark seemed to be the key for the Colts to sustain a drive but it was Williams who then figured out how to keep Clark occupied with blocking and chipping schemes to exclude the Indianapolis tight end from being truly effective. Colts wide out Reggie Wayne showed signs of still being a bit dinged up but even he looked confused at times. Then came the comments after the game by Saints DB, Tracy Porter, whose pick-6 solidified the win for New Orleans. Porter said, “It was coach’s (Williams) who gave us the film and made us study every down. He told us to trust what we see and be aggressive.” Porter elaborated on the 3rd down interception of Manning, “It’s something we saw on film. They ran that play a lot and coach just told us, if you see it, jump it (the pass route) and that’s what I did.”
Williams’ defense didn’t pound on Manning the way they did 2 weeks prior to Brett Favre, mainly for the fact that Manning gets rid of the ball so quickly, but they did keep the Colts QB’s feet moving and seemed to throw off his rhythm just enough to make a difference.
You can't discount the gutsy calls by Sean Payton and the way that he convinced his team to buy into the "we're the aggressors" mentality, it all starts at the top...no doubt. The onside kick to start the second half will go down as one of the more legendary calls of Super Bowl history but Williams.....he gets my MVP vote.
The Canyon of heroes in New York has seen so much history and so many great parades. Everyone from the historic Yankees teams, to the Giants, Joe Namath and the Jets to war heroes and troop homecomings&hellipthey have all passed through the tickertape air in New York City but I can’t imagine any bigger party than the one that’s about to take place in New Orleans. That champion’s parade, through The Big Easy, will be unlike any other in the history of sports. For a city, an economy, fan base that was devastated only 4 years ago, you can’t help but smile for the current riches New Orleans and the state of Louisiana is enjoying right now.
Saints D Coordinator Williams Is My MVP
By Bill Michaels
The over and under on Kim Kardashian sightings never really took hold for the fact that CBS focused squarely on the game and, for the most part, that’s where my attention was targeted. Aside from the lackluster commercials and the screeching owl-like vocals of the elderly Who at the half, the game was the centerpiece, as it should have been.
For as much hype as Saints Defensive Coordinator, Gregg Williams, received this past week for his tough comments regarding his defense’s attitude towards Peyton Manning, Williams came up with a brilliant game plan. Drew Brees took home the Super Bowl MVP hardware, and rightfully so, for the way he played but Williams should be recognized for his coaching masterpiece in holding Manning and the Colts to a mere 17 points. Williams’ Saints mixed it up with 3 and 4 down linemen, mixing in 3 and 4 linebackers and continuously disguising the blitz pressure to the point that Manning, and his receivers, looked confused at times. Early on, Manning to Dallas Clark seemed to be the key for the Colts to sustain a drive but it was Williams who then figured out how to keep Clark occupied with blocking and chipping schemes to exclude the Indianapolis tight end from being truly effective. Colts wide out Reggie Wayne showed signs of still being a bit dinged up but even he looked confused at times. Then came the comments after the game by Saints DB, Tracy Porter, whose pick-6 solidified the win for New Orleans. Porter said, “It was coach’s (Williams) who gave us the film and made us study every down. He told us to trust what we see and be aggressive.” Porter elaborated on the 3rd down interception of Manning, “It’s something we saw on film. They ran that play a lot and coach just told us, if you see it, jump it (the pass route) and that’s what I did.”
Williams’ defense didn’t pound on Manning the way they did 2 weeks prior to Brett Favre, mainly for the fact that Manning gets rid of the ball so quickly, but they did keep the Colts QB’s feet moving and seemed to throw off his rhythm just enough to make a difference.
You can't discount the gutsy calls by Sean Payton and the way that he convinced his team to buy into the "we're the aggressors" mentality, it all starts at the top...no doubt. The onside kick to start the second half will go down as one of the more legendary calls of Super Bowl history but Williams.....he gets my MVP vote.
The Canyon of heroes in New York has seen so much history and so many great parades. Everyone from the historic Yankees teams, to the Giants, Joe Namath and the Jets to war heroes and troop homecomings&hellipthey have all passed through the tickertape air in New York City but I can’t imagine any bigger party than the one that’s about to take place in New Orleans. That champion’s parade, through The Big Easy, will be unlike any other in the history of sports. For a city, an economy, fan base that was devastated only 4 years ago, you can’t help but smile for the current riches New Orleans and the state of Louisiana is enjoying right now.
