Saints offense wins on paper

Originally Published: Feb 4, 2010 10:0 AM CDT

Time to continue our breakdown of Sunday’s Super Bowl 44. It looks on paper that New Orleans has the Edge. But as they say, games are not played on paper. We begin with the Man Under.

QB Edge Colts
Drew Brees is an All-Pro whose leadership and spunk and accuracy set him apart from most. Minnesota put the clamps on him last week but he can be deadly. Problem is he’s not in the same big-game class as Peyton Manning, who is another offensive coordinator at the line of scrimmage and who will go down as the greatest NFL QB to ever play the game. Manning’s smarts, experience and efficiency are indisputable.

Run game Edge Saints
Indianapolis statistically doesn’t have a great rushing game. By pro standards, Donald Brown and Joseph Addai are only a step ahead of average and they can thank Manning for most of their success. New Orleans’ Reggie Bush is becoming a solid NFL back. His receiving ability makes him doubly dangerous.

Receivers Edge Push
It’s hard to not give the edge to the Colts as Reggie Wayne and TE/H-Back Darren Clark have been outstanding once again for Manning. But Brees spreads the ball around to Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, and Robert Meachem, plus gets the extra benefit from RB Bush and his home run threat. Tulsa native Meachem is joined by fellow Okie in TE Jeremy Shockey, who could be a threat even though he comes in hobbled.

Offensive line Edge Saints
This is strength of the Saints who line up with three all-star caliber players. RG Jahri Evans, OT Jonathon Stinchcomb and C Jonathon Goodwin had great years. Imagine what they could do if former OU All-American and Pro Bowler Jammal Brown had not been lost for the season due to injury. Indy is led by All Pro C Jeff Saturday, who has been tied to Manning for years.

The Freeney injury will play a factor in the game. But so will the other30 players or so who will wage warfare for three hours. Too often, we in the media over emphasize the impact of an injury. I still like the Colts by double digits.

Thanks for checking in--DB