Saints Plan to Hold On to Lombardi Trophy

This story was written by CBSSports.com Senior Writer Clark Judge

But holding on is precisely what Payton and the Saints intend to do.

Special Section: Super Bowl XLIV

For those wondering, yes, they not only plan to defend their Super Bowl title; they half-expect to be in Arlington, Texas, the site of next season's Super Bowl, this time next year. Of course, that doesn't mean they get there. Nobody has been to back-to-back Super Bowls since New England in 2003-04. But then nobody has a coach with the guts and temerity of Payton, either.

He's the guy who called the onside kick that changed the momentum of Super Bowl XLIV, and he's the guy who called the second-half plays that worked so effectively that quarterback Drew Brees missed on only one of 17 attempts. Heck, he's the guy who called the plays that worked so effectively that Brees was 29 of 32 over the final three quarters.

Brees wound up with the second-highest completion percentage (82.1) in Super Bowl history, and that was no fluke. The guy led the league in completion percentage, touchdown passes and passer rating this season.

And now you know why Payton and his coaching staff are reaching for that map of Texas.

"Somewhere last night we talked about Dallas, Texas," Payton said, "and there's probably never enough in regards to the challenge. That's the neat thing about it. When you get a quarterback like Drew Brees who's in the prime of his career, it's not enough.

"Last night was great, yet there's still something that burns in you to separate yourself more. So we'll spend a little bit of time recharging and refueling the batteries and getting ourselves prepared for the challenges ahead, and we know it will be difficult. Yet it will be no more difficult than getting this team going after Katrina and everything that took place in 2006. Our players will be ready for the challenge."

They were this season. After winning their first 13, the Saints suddenly went cold -- losing their final three games, including two at home -- and seemed incapable of recharging themselves for the playoffs. But they did, burying Arizona, surviving Minnesota and overcoming a 10-0 deficit to surprise Indianapolis.

Now that they've arrived, they don't plan on leaving.

"One thing about [the Super Bowl] is that it pulls you that much closer to wanting to be in it again," said Payton. "There is so much about it that is right. There is so much about it that is special. There is no other championship game like the Super Bowl.

"Last night about midnight I grabbed [the Lombardi Trophy] and one of our coaches, his name is Joe Lombardi, [is] Vince Lombardi's grandson. And Joe Lombardi and his father and his two brothers sat [with the trophy] and posed while pictures were taken. And I just thought to myself, 'You've got to be kidding me.' If you believe in heaven, and you believe Vince Lombardi's there looking down on his grandson, it doesn't get any better.

"You can't get enough of this. This thing [the Lombardi Trophy] laid in my bed last night. I rolled over a couple of times and probably drooled on it. Man, there's nothing like it. To be a coach and be a part of a great team with players like Drew Brees, I'm honored. I feel very fortunate, very blessed and I'm humbled by it."

The Saints, naturally, will be an early choice to defend their first Super Bowl title, but there are traffic hazards. One is their roster. Over half of the team -- 29 players to be exact -- are either unrestricted or restricted free agents, and while an uncapped year will benefit them, trying to keep the club intact will be a chore.

Then there's the competition itself. The Saints play in a competitive division where Carolina and Atlanta will push for the top. The Falcons are the chief concern, primarily because they have a young franchise quarterback in Matt Ryan and a head coach who hasn't had a losing season in two years. But never discount Carolina, especially with the Panthers winning their final three games under quarterback Matt Moore, the frontrunner for the position next season.

There is the bigger picture, too, and that means Minnesota, Green Bay and the best of the NFC East. If Brett Favre returns, the Vikings could be the team to squeeze New Orleans. They looked like the better club in the NFC Championship Game but bowed out after five turnovers sabotaged them. The Packers, meanwhile, were one of the hottest clubs -- winning seven of their last eight before the playoffs -- and have one of the game's best young quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers.

Nevertheless, New Orleans is the wall others must go through. The Saints are the defending champions and have the best quarterback in the NFC ... and one of the best quarterbacks in football. Payton is right: With Brees at the top of his game, the Saints should be a playoff factor -- and maybe a Super Bowl candidate -- for years. And Brees and Payton are such a good fit that the pyrotechnics we witnessed Sunday night might become weekly events.

Think about it: You have an accurate quarterback with a live arm and a head coach who isn't afraid to unleash him and his teammates -- taking chances few others would. Plus, you have the two so in sync that Brees confessed that "at times it feels like ESP." That's how good offenses are made. In this case, it's how a good team became great.

Sean Payton said he doesn't plan to let go of the Lombardi Trophy for awhile. The rest of the league should consider itself warned.