Week 9: Saints v. Bucs (1 Viewer)

[MLU]

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How do you define "class"? If actions are louder than words, look no further than the fourth quarter of the Saints/Buccaneers game. In a last gasp attempt to make the score respectable, <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/411598">Bruce Gradkowski</a> drops back to pass on 3rd down with seven yards to go. Smelling the blood in the water with a three score lead, Saints defenders move in as the Bucs Quarterback drops back to pass. With no one open and <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/202784">Brian Young</a> and <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302196">Charles Grant</a> closing in, Gradkowski is forced to take the sack and fumbles the ball in the process. Grant recovers the fumble in the four yard line with two minutes and seven seconds left on the clock. Joy fills the New Orleans sidelines and the offense trots out onto the field as the defense celebrates, skipping and running to the bench for a much deserved rest.

Then <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/235197">Drew Brees</a> kneels the ball.

With a two minute warning left in the game (meaning that Tampa Bay will get the ball back) and facing a division rival, the Saints knelt the four consecutive downs just four measly yards away from six or even three more points. To me that speaks to the heart of what <a href="http://www.neworleanssaints.com/coachbio.cfm?coachid=312">Sean Payton</a> is trying to instill in this franchise. He wants to win and to win with their heads held high, respected.

Had he pulled that stunt with the Falcons, I would have called for his head..

MOD EDIT: post teaser, and link if you can.

 

[Shibby]

Nice read. Thanks for posting.

 

[MLU]

Ummm... Mods? I wrote this. Also, you deleted the link to the article.

 

[SaintlyAgenda]

Ummm... Mods? I wrote this. Also, you deleted the link to the article.

Well, that should certainly be a compliment to you my man! LOL!

 

[MLU]

I don't know. It's not like I haven't been posting the good, bad and ugly off and on for a few years now. It's only recently that I started putting thoughts on a blog to dabble in writing again.

 

[SaintlyAgenda]

Well, I must certainly say, I enjoyed reading your blog.

 

[RazorSaint]

Yeah, it was a class move to kneel the ball, knowing the Bucs would still get the ball back. But then again, Gruden and Payton coached together in Philly, so they're buds. The game is sealed, so why add insult to a friend's injury?

Still a classy move, but I don't think it was done for the benefit of the Saints (ie instilling some sportsman-like attitude), it was done for the benefit of a friend that helped him get a start in the league, and may ultimately be partly responsible for him having a HC job.

That said, I would be po'd if I had bet on the game and it was for a cover, or if I had Deuce on my fantasy team, like a buddy of mine who I watched the game with. I realize fantasy football and point spreads are the last thing Payton is thinking of, but it still would've stung.