What they said

Losers now winners

The New Orleans Saints, for decades the NFL’s lovable losers, used the biggest stage Sunday to answer the question their fans have been asking for 43 years.

Who Dat think they gonna beat them Saints?

The answer: Nobody.

The unbelievable is a reality. The unthinkable has come true. The Saints reached the NFL mountaintop Sunday, knocking off the mighty Indianapolis Colts.

“Louisiana, by the way of New Orleans, is back!” said Saints owner Tom Benson, standing on a midfield platform while lifting the Lombardi Trophy over his head. “And this shows the whole world!”

Sam Farmer

Los Angeles Times

Colts go bankrupt

Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne is money in the bank for the Indianapolis Colts.

The way things have been going with banks, maybe it shouldn’t have been such a shock that when Manning looked to his ninth-year wideout, needing 5 yards on third down, down a touchdown late, cornerback Tracy Porter jumped the route and cradled Manning’s pass as if it had been thrown to him.

Seventy-four yards later, the New Orleans Saints had a 14-point lead in the Super Bowl.

Les Bowen

Philadelphia Daily News

It’s sweet for Shockey

Jeremy Shockey wasn’t in a suite for this Super Bowl. Instead, he was part of the New Orleans Saints’ sweetest victory.

Shockey hauled in a touchdown catch for the go-ahead score Sunday night.

And for Shockey, that 2-yard score had to feel like redemption. He was with the New York Giants – in name only – when they won the Super Bowl two years ago, watching that title game from a suite and feeling like an outcast after breaking his left leg and missing their scintillating playoff run. That essentially set up his trade to New Orleans. This ring, he can say he earned.

Tim Reynolds

Associated Press

Manning great, not best

Peyton Manning is supposed to be the best quarterback in NFL history.

Better than Otto Graham. And Johnny U. And John Elway. Better than all of them, if we’re to believe what we’re told.

He’s not.

Manning is great.

Only a fool would debate that, but when we’re discussing the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, we must nit pick. Manning has four MVP trophies – more than anyone else in NFL history – and one Super Bowl ring.

That just doesn’t add up.

Jeff Hostetler has one ring. So does Trent Dilfer. Manning isn’t supposed to be in their class.

Jean-Jacques Taylor

Dallas Morning News

Porter comes through

Louisiana native Tracy Porter played a crucial role in the New Orleans Saints’ magical run to a Super Bowl title and their victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

A second-round draft pick out of Indiana, who grew up across the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge, Porter watched the Saints every Sunday with his family and friends. He remembers bags on the heads of embarrassed fans during the lean years.

Now the Saints have done the previously unthinkable in large part because of him in.

Brett Martel

Associated Press