My Favorite Football Team - The New Orleans Saints

I grew up in Northern Louisiana; it is about the same distance to Dallas, Texas from my hometown as it is from my hometown to New Orleans. The Saints have historically been a dismal football team in terms of games won and playoff appearances, especially compared to the Cowboys. Because of this, I was one of the very few Saints fans (other than my Dad) that I knew while growing up in Louisiana. Most of my friends were actually Dallas Cowboy fans because of that teams history of winning. Most people would kid me, and ask why I like such a sorry team as the Saints. Besides their cool looking uniforms, I have always been a huge fan of any underdog, and the Saints have certainly been an underdog for a vast majority of their seasons in the NFL. I moved away from Louisiana at the age of 20 when I enlisted in the Navy. That was 22 years ago, and except for a 4-year stint when I was stationed in New Orleans in the 1990s, I have lived in other states since then. However, I have stayed a die-hard New Orleans Saints fan no matter where I have lived, and I always will. GEAUX SAINTS!

Even though the Saints are 4-4 at the halfway point of the season, the Saints have one the most potent offenses in the NFL, lead by their quarterback Drew Brees. Since coming to the Saints from the San Diego Chargers in 2006, Brees has been one of the leading quarterbacks in statistics in the NFL. In his first season with the Saints, he lead the team to it's first ever appearnce in the NFC Championship game against the Chicago Bears.

Drew Brees 2008 Statistics:
COMP....ATT.....YDS......TD.....INT
266.....398.....3251.....18.....11

Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush was the New Orleans Saints first round draft choice out of USC in 2006. He was the 2nd choice overall in that year's draft. Since joning the Saints, he has electrified fans with his blazing speed and versatile moves. Reggie had a great first season with the Saints, and was voted as the NFL's 2006 Offensive Rookie of the Year. His performance helped the Saints to their most succesful season in the teams 40 year history.

Reggie Bush 2008 Statistics:
Rushing
ATT....YDS.....AVG.....TD
87.....294.....3.4.....2

REC....YDS.....AVG.....TD
42.....366.....8.7.....3

Deuce Mcallister has been the Saints workhorse running back since 2001, when he was picked 23rd in the first round of that years draft. Though he has been sidelined quite a bit with knee injuries the past couple of years, he has become the Saints all-time leading rusher in only 7 seasons with the team. Perhaps his most memorable game was in the 2006 playoffs against the Philadephia Eagles. Deuce ran for 143 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown, and caught 4 passes for 20 yards and another touchdown to help the Saints reach the NFC Championship game for the first time in team history.

Deuce Mcallister 2008 Statistics
ATT....YDS.....AVG.....TD
81.....299.....3.7.....2

Saints running back Reggie Bush as limited in practice on Thursday and it is unknonw if he will play Monday night against the Packers.

Sep 07 vs. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (Win)
Sep 14 @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS (Loss)
Sep 21 @ DENVER BRONCOS (Loss)
Sep 28 vs. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (Win)
Oct 06 vs. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (Loss)
Oct 12 vs. OAKLAND RAIDERS (Win)
Oct 19 @ CAROLINA PANTHERS (Loss)
Oct 26 vs. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (Win)
Nov 02 BYE
Nov 09 @ ATLANTA FALCONS 12:00PM (Loss)
Nov 16 @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 12:00PM (Win)
Nov 24 vs. GREEN BAY PACKERS 7:30PM
Nov 30 @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 12:00PM
Dec 07 vs. ATLANTA FALCONS 12:00PM
Dec 11 @ CHICAGO BEARS 7:15PM
Dec 21 @ DETROIT LIONS 12:00PM
Dec 28 vs. CAROLINA PANTHERS 12:00PM

(1) The Saints are the first team in NFL history to make it to the conference championship game the year after losing 13 games.

(2) The New Orleans Saints are the only NFL team that Archie Manning ever played for.

(3) The Saints are 1 of only 6 NFL teams that have never been to the Superbowl.

South Division W......L

Panthers........8......2
Buccaneers......7......3
Falcons.........6......4
Saints..........5......5