YEAR IN REVIEW
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January 4, 20071. September 25, 2006
On Sept. 25, the New Orleans Saints officially returned to New Orleans. In a game that represented more than what was happening on the football field, the Saints gave a sellout crowd a reason for optimism when …
2. Steve Gleason blocks Falcons punt
It could not have been scripted better. The Saints’ first game in the Superdome since Dec. 26, 2004, started with the Black and Gold on defense. After forcing a three-and-out by the Atlanta Falcons’ offense, special teamer Steve Gleason broke through the line and blocked the Falcons’ punt. Curtis Deloatch recovered in the endzone for the Saints lead—a lead they would never relinquish.
3. Drafting Reggie Bush
The draft took place on April 29, but news of the Houston Texans decision to pick Mario Williams spread on the Friday night before the draft. At that point, Saints fans everywhere dreamed of the team drafting Bush, but did not really expect it to happen. Not until commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced the pick did Saints fans celebrate … and still today the fans chant his name: “Reggie, Reggie, Reggie!”
4. Firing Jim Haslett; hiring Sean Payton
One of the keys to changing things in the organization was to bring in a new attitude. Getting rid of Jim Haslett and hiring Sean Payton did just that. When Haslett left, so did a team of undisciplined players that were not held accountable for their mistakes. When Payton entered, so did a team of disciplined players that were held accountable for their mistakes. And in came a winning season.
5. Signing quarterback Drew Brees
It was only appropriate that with the exit of Jim Haslett, that quarterback Aaron Brooks leave the Saints as well. In finding Brooks’ replacement, the Saints’ staff put their faith in a quarterback coming off of a devastating shoulder injury. With the season nearing an end, consider that faith fulfilled. Brees has been a difference maker both on and off the field.
6. Selling out the Superdome on a season-ticket basis
As special as the Saints’ offseason moves were, it would mean nothing if there were no fans at the Superdome to watch it. However, the team’s fanbase repaid it by selling out the season on a season-ticket basis and creating a waiting list for future years. Not only did it show the team that the fans were behind it, but it showed the NFL that New Orleans’ fans can and will support the Saints.
7. Reggie Bush’s punt return against Tampa Bay
It took five weeks, but when Reggie Bush finally scored a touchdown, it was a difference maker. Trailing 21-17 with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Bush fielded a Tampa Bay punt and took it 65 yards for the first touchdown of his career. It became the game-winning score and improved the Saints to 4-1 on the young season.
8. 16 plays, 72 yards, 8:26
In week six, the Saints face the Eagles in the premier NFL matchup of the season. With the score tied 24-24, the Saints took over at their own 28-yard line and 8:26 remaining in the game. Quarterback Drew Brees then led the team on a 16-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a game-winning field goal by John Carney. Not only did the drive win the game for the Saints, but also legitimized them as an elite team in the NFL.
9. New Orleans 42, Dallas 17
It was the kind of game that Saints’ teams of old would have lost. Not this year’s team. Entering a primetime matchup against the hottest team in the league, the Saints did whatever they wanted to in a 42-17 win over the Cowboys. The win put the Saints in second place of the NFC, where they stayed the remainder of the season.
10. NFC South Champions and first-round bye
While the Saints officially clinched the NFC South after losing to the Washington Redskins, they won it by performing beyond expectations throughout the season.
With the team’s performance came the franchise’s first-ever first-round bye.
