Remembering the 2009 Season
by Dave Cariello on Dec 31, 2009 2:09 PM CST
Email
PrintWell Saints fans, another year is in the books. Fortunately, the Saints season isn't over just yet. And while the best part of this amazing journey may still lie ahead in the playoffs, there have been some memorable moments already in the regular season.
I was planning on putting together some sort of top ten list of the greatest plays/moments from the 2009 season thus far but never really had time to get to it. Ralph asked me the very same question on our radio show last night and I figured what a great question to throw out at all of you.
For me, it's probably the Miami and Washington games. They were just magical. But what about you? When you look back on the 2009 season, what do you think will stick out most in your mind, even twenty years from now? Perhaps it was the deal that allowed the Saints to stay in New Orleans or the Unknown Who Dat. Whatever it is, I want to hear it.
Looking forward to your responses in the comment section.
39 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
3 things
Overall win-loss record.
Kenny Wilkerson predicting that the Saints would be 2 and 2 at the bye week, presumably having lost to the Eagles and the Jets, and implying that they might be 2 and 3 after losing to the Giants. Those were big games. Somebody got their asses kicked.
Hoodie, Brady, and Moss quitting with over 4 minutes left in the Superdome.
You telling lies thinking I can't see,
You can't cry 'cause you're laughing at me.
Broken Heart.
My most memorable moment, having my heart broken in the dome against the Bucs.
by Melanie120320 on Jan 1, 2010 9:01 AM CST up reply actions
3 things again
1 – The look on Zorns face in the Washington game-priceless.2-Gotta go with AIR-REGGIE man the guy can leap.3-Yea, the Pats just giving up.
Best Moment:
The Pats running up the white flag with more than 4 minutes left on national TV, and me being in a room FULL of Pats fans to witness it.
:-)
Irony: An atheist Saints fan.
Payton's face in Washington...
… when Meachem is to score a TD after stripping the ball. For the ages
You gotta go there to come back
special?
When I was a kid the most special season was ’79 (?) when we got 5 players into the Pro Bowl. I watched that pro bowl like it was the super bowl and manning and muncie were great in that game.
How three decades can change one’s opinion of what is special. Certainly the run to the NFL title game after Katrina was special but this season is already the most special in history in my book no matter what happens from here on out. The Dolphins and Redskins stunning victory-from-the-jaws-of-defeats; crushing the Patriots; Meachem’s strip; Sharpers interceptions; Vilma’s stop against the Falcons; and of the course the run at history by starting 13-0. Wow. What a magical ride. Hope it doesn’t end anytime soon.
I have 2
going to the Saints/Giants game & watching us beat them BIG TIMEand the other is watching us tear apart the Patriots on national tv.
10-25-09, Q2, 0:05
The weird, hitherto unknown confidence that emerged in the Miami game. That “we’re 5-0 and we’re for real” feeling when we just started to know that something would change after Ricky @ co tore through us and it was 24-3.
The feeling that didn’t dissipate even after Carney missed a 40-something yard FG. Everyone’s stomach sank, but there’s this thought in the back of your mind: “If the Saints are ever going to do it, when have they been better equipped than right now? Why can’t they come back from this?” And you almost daren’t acknowledge it, because it flies in the face of everything you’ve seen from this team before. And 99% of all NFL teams would be dead and buried at this point.
But then Shanle recovers that fumble with about 1:30 to go and Drew struggles to drag the team into Dolphin territory. Then he hits that HUGE pass to Colston and you just can’t contain your hope, you can’t hold back from yelling at the TV or the computer. And after the overturned touchdown and the Miami timeout and Brees remonstrating with Payton, you’re certain he’ll find a way over the line, you can’t be let down now you’ve invested so much emotion into a two-minute drive of a football game on the damn television.
And he flops into the air like it’s Shark Week and you go nuts.
Brees emerges from under the pile and slams the ball into the turf and it’s all over. That’s the Rocky moment, when the Saints start punching back and the stirring music swells and no matter what gets thrown at them, they’ll win from here, even if they’re still 10 points behind after the third quarter.
etc etc.
Sharper’s 99 yard TD, Will Smith’s sack of Sanchez, Vilma’s one-man defense, Meachem’s strip, even the pandemonium of the Patriots game, nothing beats the Dolphins game for my favourite part of the regular season.
but YOU HAVE to be proud of this serious turn of phrase
And he flops into the air like it’s Shark Week
that is poetry like I’ve never read before!
"In the end, the bread was in the pudding." -- Bobby McCray
Shop as usual, and avoid panic buying.
by Hans Petersen on Dec 31, 2009 3:41 PM CST up reply actions
Top 2
Robert Meachem’s strip
Brady and Belichic’s faces on the sidelines with over 4 minutes left in the game
truly
Not only was Meachem’s strip the greatest play of this season. It is arguably one of the greatest play’s in Saints history and maybe the NFL. How and when does that ever happen again?
I wanted this to be the look on Wade Phillips’ and Tony Romo’s faces. But I’ll take Belichick and Tom Brady as consolation. Great consolation.
has to be the sheer domination
of the patriots. that’s when I felt for sure we were real. still got a lot of work to do though! geaux saints!
by DeuceisLoose926 on Dec 31, 2009 4:15 PM CST reply actions
Seeing more dumbfounded faces on opposing sidelines
than I can ever recall. Cases in point: 1) Umenyiora & Tuck sitting on the bench looking at each other can just shake their heads. 2) Brady and Hoodie checking the scoreboard trying to remember 2007. 3) Zorn mentally going from “We just beat the unbeaten Saints. I may have just saved my job” to “What the Hell just happened and where can I hide?”
I always thought the 1987 season would be hard to beat (12-3). Then it was 2006, post-Katrina and NFC Championship game. This season has surpassed both easily.
by WhoDat_OH on Dec 31, 2009 4:28 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Hard to Pick
The whole season has been special, but top 5:
1. Meachem’s strip
2. The Mad Hoodie quits
3. Miami Comeback
4. The Washington Miracle
5. GGM’s “Black Pant’s” Spell
My top 11
11. Saints shut down Terrell Owens, holding him to no catches whatsoever.
10. Mike McKenzie, in his first game back as a Saint, picks off Tom Brady, one of the best quarterbacks to ever play this game.
9. Saints hang 48 points on the 5-0 New York Giants.
8. Saints overcome an 11 point deficit against the Carolina Panthers to win 30-20
7. Drew Brees hits a WIDE OPEN Devery Henderson in the New England Patriots game, and the look on Bill Belicheck’s face after that very play.
6. Reggie Bush’s freakish jump into the endzone against the Miami Dolphins to inch the Saints closer to an improbable comeback.
5. Saints miracuously overcome a 24-3 deficit against the Miami Dolphins to win 46-34.
4. The Saints embarrass the New England Patriots on national television, forcing Mr Hoodie to wave the white flag. the look on his face after the game was classic :)
3. Shawn Suisham’s missed field goal(actually i liked the whole storyline about that…we caused him to lose his job, but then nick folk missed his field goal against us and the cowboys signed him…thats the funniest thing ever and i will never forget it.)
2. Robert Meachem’s strip-fumble-touchdown.
1. My first Saints game ever-Giants at the Saints!
Depends
I honestly have to say that I still believe the 2006 season was the most memorable. I guess depending on what happens this year that could change. There was just something magical about that year. I’ve really never seen a team go from THAT BAD to THAT GOOD as they did after 2005. With bringing in Brees and Payton, and drafting Reggie, and the renewed sense of the team, pride, and city uniting after the storm, and making a run like no other previous saints team had ever gotten close to….how can that not be one of the greatest seasons in Saints history.
And NOTHING will ever come close to that memorable monday night dome reopening and pounding of dem dirty birds.
I just hope by the end of this year that I can change my opinion that this year is the greatest, maybe getting a chance of revenge on the cowgirls or the vikings (whom we never seem to be able to beat). Cuz boy I’ll tell ya, being from Chicago that NFC championship loss to the bears was the most disheartening loss I’ve ever witnessed. I hope we have a different ending this year…..WHO DAT!!
by #1SaintsFanInChicago on Dec 31, 2009 4:57 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Yeah. I think this season is very VERY close to surpassing 2006. But until we win at least one playoff game and actually HOST the NFC championship (and hopefully win it too), it doesn’t QUITE make it.
And if we manage to block a punt for a TD in the divisional game, that would help. Because nobody will ever forget where they were or what they were doing that magical moment.
But then again, 13-0 is a pretty good argument for an override. But we need a playoff win or preferably two to really push it over the top.
I'm with you.
It all depends. 2006 is hard to beat with out at least going to the big dance.
"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." --Mike Tyson
Agreed
No doubt, this has been a good year to be a Saints fan. But so was ‘06. When we win the NFC Championship, it will surpass ’06. Should we win the Super Bowl, it’s a no brainer. At that point, this season will forever stand as the best of all time. Even if we were to go 19-0 next year, nothing ever trumps your first time.
ATTITUDE
This year everyone in the system seems to be on the same page. You hear rumors but nothing ever sticks. To me it’s been a team thing since the start . I for one have enjoyed every second of it, good and bad.
OldFartFan
and if 09 is better than 06....
like i said a couple posts up, 2006 was da best but if indeed this year does turn out better than 06, than I just wanna put my top 3 moments:
3. Thrashing of the Eagles (might of gotten more attention if it happened not so early in the season)
2. Improbable comeback vs Dolphins
1. Pounding the Pats on the national stage in the Dome
honorable mentions: domination of giants, comeback vs ’skins, comeback vs panthers
by #1SaintsFanInChicago on Dec 31, 2009 5:05 PM CST reply actions
The most memorable moment hasn't occurred yet
…it will occur Jan. 3, when I attend my first Saints game since 1983.
I know, it’s not technically 2009…but it’s the 2009 season. And whatever happens, even if they play Chase Daniel the whole way, I’ll be there. Cheering my fool head off.
BURN THE BLACK PANTS!!!
try to be hoarse before the end of the 1st quarter...
they may need your help early and often…
"In the end, the bread was in the pudding." -- Bobby McCray
Shop as usual, and avoid panic buying.
by Hans Petersen on Dec 31, 2009 6:08 PM CST up reply actions
My most memborable moment:
This season altogether
"All kind of knowledge, eventually becomes self knowledge" - Bruce Lee
by SBookerSaintsFan on Dec 31, 2009 6:06 PM CST reply actions
hard to say up til now
I will reminisce after the season is complete…
"In the end, the bread was in the pudding." -- Bobby McCray
Shop as usual, and avoid panic buying.
Not sure if it beats out the post-Katrina year.
That was just insane. Might take superbowl for me to think of this season as better. This is a special season, no doubt.
This is easily the most memorable season..
The team is better this year than it ever has been for one thing. The games have generally all been very memorable, wheras 2006 had only 2 games I remember distinct plays(Atl and Dal). The 2001 team was lucky to even be there. The late 80’s early 90’s teams had no offense.
This season has been so special that its hard to come up with only one shining moment. Here are a few obvious ones:
1. Sharpers long pick 6 vs “the Sanchize”
2. How completely unstoppable the offense was vs the Giants for the whole game and the looks on Eli and Coughlins faces.
3. Basically the whole Miami game was a classic, but a few moments from it standout:
a)Breesus dunk over the goalposts after the QB draw.
b)Shockeys 40 yard stiffarm of Vontae Davis
c)Sharpers pick 6 to open the 2nd half
4. Devery’s “he could backstroke into the endzone” catch vs New England.
5. The Washington game was also a classic with many moments that will go down in Saints lore:
a)Meachem’s strip TD and long ref review where I was literally eating my fingenails off
b)Suishams missed FG from 20 yards to seal the game for the Skins
c)The bomb to Meachem with 1 min left to send it to OT
d)The close OT fumble by the Skins and another long replay. Payton called timeout or the stupid refs would not have reviewed it.
6. The Nick Folk 20 yard missed FG after which he ended up being the second kicker fired after facing the Saints.
Great memories and I am sure there are some I forgot along the way. Happy New Year!
What can I say that hasn't been said?
I’m with the 2006 season being the most special season I’ve ever witnessed. Not only because we went to the NFC Championship but how we got there after being 3-13 the year before. It was the beginning of an era. The Payton and Brees era. The reopening of the Dome. The way the city bonded to the team stronger than ever.
Special moments from this season not in a particular order:
1. 13-0 was a great feeling.
2. The Miami game was a site to see.
3. The bitch slapping we put on the Giants. (More because I was at that game)
4. The one that takes the cake (so far) would have to be Drew against the Patriots. That may be the greatest performance we EVER see from a Saints quarterback and arguably any quarterback.
"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." --Mike Tyson
hmm...
1. Meachem’s strip…
2. How we handled the Pats
3. The Dunk by Breezy after the draw
Don't worry I got your back cuz...
It's been a fantastic ride
Never a bandwagon fan always a true Saints fan. Never wore a bag at 1-15 and always knew they would come back and win that year! This year to me is by far the most memorable. To many good things have happened this year to name then all. It’s not over yet and I hope we add even more great memories before we’re through!! GEAUX SAINTS!!
My absolute favorite photo - Brady walking off the field looking up at the score board. . .one more time!
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jan 1, 2010 8:37 PM CST reply actions
Deckape 69
His insight on the Saints has raised the entertainment value of this blog to a whole new level. Dave, please don’t ever boot him. Every court needs a jester.
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Jan 2, 2010 12:16 PM CST reply actions
And every harem needs a eunuch!
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jan 2, 2010 6:50 PM CST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
