View from the Couch

BY WILLIAM LEEMAN

Still basking in the afterglow of the Fablulosio Super Bowl.  Was that just about a perfect game, or what?  I loved it from the opening kick to the final gun.   Not a single boring moment!   (I didn’t even think of painting the kitchen).

I’d personally like to thank the Powers That Be for bringing us the most exciting Super Bowl, for my money, since the 49ers were in it.

Of course, when Peyton Manning and his Colts got out to a 10- nothing lead, I figured it was just about over.  

But it was not to be, now was it? 

Ohhh, no, our Saints (and they are our Saints, thank you) controlled the ball for the entire second quarter, kept pushing, fighting, and staying IN the game.  When they scored their first touchdown and started celebrating on the sidelines, I thought it was bad form, and bad luck.  I didn’t want them to jinx their chances.  Turns out that they didn’t have to worry about that, because, and I’d like to be diplomatic about this, uh, they were the BEST TEAM. 

Well, how’d ya like then apples?   Oh, you’ve gotta love ‘em!

You know, Peyton Manning was being touted as the best damn quarterback to ever lace up a pair of shoes, now wasn’t he?   You know, Mister ‘Refuse To Lose.’   Mister march down the field and get it done.   Except this time he marched down the field and threw an interception!   Well, Glory Be!  Looks like he turned out to be quite human after all.

You know, about 20 years ago, my wife and I had a room-mate, a young college kid who seemed normal in every way, but he had one eccentricity:  He was a die hard Saints fan.  Lived and died with them, and mostly died.  They were pitiful.   And I still don’t have a clue how he formed his allegiance, I mean, he was from Olema, for crying out loud!

Anyway, I wish I could find him now, to say “Oh, yeah!  All your years of hard luck and dues paying have just been rewarded.” 

And all of us have been rewarded.   Everyone who appreciates the underdog, anyone who’s ever rooted for a lousy team, or been on a  lousy team, or had their butt kicked, or their nose rubbed in it, been fired from a job, dumped by a woman, or had your shoes peed on by a dog can really appreciate this tremendous victory.

Now, I could be wrong, but with the possible exception of Archie Manning, I think everyone in America was pulling for the Saints.

At least that’s what it seemed like from my living room.

Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Feb. 17. 

Hope springs eternal once again.