The Steve Gleason Story - Peter King's feature from Super Bowl pre-game
posted by MegaWarpSpeed
| New York Giants (NFC) | Super Bowl XLVI | New England Patriots (AFC) | |||
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| Date: | February 5th, 2012 | Location: | Indianapolis, IN |
| Time: | 5:30 p.m. Central |
Stadium | Lucas Oil Stadium |
| TV: |
NBC (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya) |
Internet: |
NFL.com's Game Center |
| Radio: |
WWL 870AM/105.3FM Westwood One Radio: Kevin Harlan, Boomer Esiason, James Lofton & Mark Malone (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 88 (WW1), 92 (NYG), 86 (NE) XM: 88 (WW1), 225 (NYG), 226 (NE) |
SBN Coverage: | |
| Favorite: | Patriots by 3 | Weather: |
Not that it matters but...Weather Underground. |
| Over/Under: | 54 | Current Mood: |
This sucks! |
The Saints may not have made the Super Bowl this year (dagnabit, Hans!! why do you keep reminding us of that fact in every single $%&*ing post you've written today? WE GET IT ALREADY!!), but that doesn't mean they're not there in spirit or body. The body of players and coaches who used to work for the Saints, that is.
I thought it might help us feel more connected to the game to find out who from the Patriots and Giants used to be connected to the Saints.
So, make the jump to run down the list of former Saints players and coaches who will be part of the big game later on today...
Rob Ninkovich, OLB, New England Patriots
This may the biggest name of them all on this list. Ninkovich was originally a fifth-round draft choice (135th overall) of the Saints in 2006, and played in 3 games that year, recording two tackles, two assists, and a defensed pass. He played for the Miami Dolphins in 2007 and 2008, before catching on with the Patriots in 2009. This season he notched 80 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, four passes defensed, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions (and one INT TD return!).
We sure could have used that kind of production from a Saints OLB this year...
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Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants
Weatherford appeared in 39 games over three years with the Saints from 2006-2008, averaging 43.5 yards per punt. He was cut seven games into the 2008 season, (after kicking five times for a 35.4 yard average @ Carolina, and just before the Saints got on a plane for London). He kicked for Jacksonville and Kansas City to finish 2008, and then spent 2009 and 2010 with the New York Jets, before joining the Giants in 2011.
The Saints haven't really missed Weatherford, replacing him with a couple of "camp legs" (Ben Graham and Glenn Pakulak) for the remainder of 2008, before drafting the Legatron of Destiny in 2009, Thomas Morstead. Anyone remember Ambush? Yeah, I thought so.
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Brian Ferentz, Tight Ends Coach, New England Patriots
Ferentz had a brief and mostly unremarkable two and a half week stint as an offensive lineman with the Saints during the end of training camp in 2007 (August 13 - September 1). He went undrafted in 2006, but spent that year on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad before getting cut by them on May of 2007. That's it for his NFL "playing" career.
He joined the Patriots in 2008 as a scouting assistant, then moved up to coaching assistant in 2009, and then again up to offensive assistant in 2010. 2011 was his first year coaching the tight ends.
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Now that I've covered the Saints Super Bowl connections, we can now briefly dip into the broader New Orleans and Louisiana connections to the game that I am aware of...
Everyone knows the obvious Eli Manning, nola native and son of former Saints QB Archie Manning, but the Giants' roster also includes two former LSU Tigers: starting CB Corey Webster (who notched a career-high 6 INTs this year), and IR'd WR Michael Clayton (who appeared in five games without a single catch before getting hurt).
On the AFC side of this matchup, LSU has two star running backs playing for the Patriots. The first is multiple-ring owning and 13-year veteran Kevin Faulk, and the other is young-pup rookie Stevan Ridley.
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Please take a moment in the comment section below to let us know if you are aware of any other Louisiana Super Bowl connections...oh yeah, you can also take a few minutes to tell me how lame this post is as an attempt to make up for the fact that the Saints aren't playing today.
hakimdropsball I used to think the ESPYs show was the worst in sports broadcasting. Holy s*** was I wrong. #NBC #NFLHonors
hakimdropsball This #NFLHonors show is the Egg McMuffin of award shows. If that Egg McMuffin was cooked by @darrenrovell ... #f***thatguy
hakimdropsball My condolences to Dave over at @CSCtweet who actually watched that God awful #NFLHonors show. #NBC "cancels" #Community and now this???
hakimdropsball "@whodat9000: Rogers was better. Brees was great, too. What a year for QBs!" is there a USA TODAY style chart or graph to demonstrate this?
ChrisHarrisNFL Cam look like he supposed to be on 125th street selling bean pies #imjustsaying #NFLHonors
Pierre_Thomas Da Bulls!!
BaxFootballGuru Most @ProFoootballHOF members by team (Primary): #Bears (27), #Packers (21), #Steelers (20) w/add. of C Dermontti Dawson & DB Jack Butler
scottfujita99 Very happy for @Willie_Roaf...he always treated me well, even as a punk rookie!
SI_PeterKing RT @Alex_Flanagan: @SI_PeterKing 's story on Steve, on NBC's pre game sun=must see ... Thanks a lot, Alex. On in the 4 pm ET hour.
team_gleason Just heard from @SI_PeterKing. The NBC feature on our journey with ALS will air at 4:37 EST. 1 big step 2 a solution. -SG #NoWhiteFlags
scottfujita99 Everyone please tune into NBC's pre-game SB feature tomorrow w/ @SI_PeterKing & @team_gleason at 4:37EST #NoWhiteFlags
scottfujita99 ... and there's a chance I make a small cameo... #NoWhiteFlags
thomasmorstead "@ProFootballTalk: Apparently, sarcasm doesn't translate well on Twitter." Haha #TRUTH
Pierre_Thomas Man I wish it was warm in Chicago...out here freezing!
FletcherMackel Per @scottfujita99 the report from Peter King on Steve Gleason will be airing on NBC (@wdsu locally) at 3:37pm CST.
hakimdropsball "@neiltyson: bet there's nobody left in America whose home TV isn't bigger than the ones in their local Sports Bar." /raises hand //cries
robyslyfe Those in Indianapolis we at Club 6 tonite..come party wit ya boi..!
camjordan94 Rev run Dj'n Hahahaha all da old heads are here two steppin listening to older songs like ballin n all I do is win... #silly
camjordan94 Haha it's gettin better more younger people my age comin n and we gettin it
Willie_Roaf Just landed in Indianapolis. Thanks to everyone for the congratulations. It's an honor just to be considered for the hall of fame
Deadspin The Drew Magary Super Bowl Chili Recipe deadspin.com/5882376/
NFLfootballinfo Something to watch for today: all 11 teams to return INT for TD in SB have won game, including past 3 SB champs
hakimdropsball If #Tebow winds up with 3 MVP votes in his life, I'm flipping cars and setting them ablaze. Only two votes for Drew Brees? #SMH #Saints
ZachStrief I think for tonight's game, I'll commentate on how Collinsworth commentates. Share my opinions of his performance how he does mine...
ZachStrief Congrats to @Willie_Roaf for his induction into the #halloffame. Truly deserving. He was an absolute monster.
JonVilma51 Who's throwing the best Super Bowl party this yr?? am I invited??
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Former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason and retired N.O. fireman having trip of lifetime at Super Bowl | NOLA.com
Jeff Duncan - Fireman Dudley Jordan won a contest to make the trip.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is on the verge of cementing his status in the QB hierarchy | NOLA.com
Mike Triplett - Manning has produced his best pro season.
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Former New Orleans Saints tackle Willie Roaf is elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame | NOLA.com
Mike Triplett - Roaf joining Jackson as Saints players enshrined in Canton.
Former Jets, Pats RB Martin headlines Hall's Class of 2012 | nfl.com
Willie Roaf got barely one sentence in this whole article.
Roaf HOF honor adds to Saints' legacy - NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y. - As they near their 50th year of existence, the New Orleans Saints finally have a legacy.
What they're saying about Willie Roaf - NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y. - Like you would expect from any proud franchise, the New Orleans Saints just sent out a massive media package moments after it was announced that offensive tackle Willie Roaf has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Tackle Roaf elected to Hall of Fame | The Advocate
Sheldon Mickles - The New Orleans Saints will be represented at the Pro Football of Fame Induction Ceremony for the second time in three years.
Former Saint Willie Roaf inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame | wwltv.com
Former New Orleans Saints great Willie Roaf was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Willie Roaf Elected To Hall Of Fame | WWL.com - AM 870
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee announced today that New Orleans Saints offensive tackle William Roaf will be enshrined as part of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012.
Roaf's road to Canton | KansasCity.com
Personal and career highlights in the life of former Chiefs and Saints tackle Willie Roaf, 41, who on Saturday was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Morten Andersen getting Pro Hall of Fame word out | NOLA.com
Mike Triplett - Former Saints kicking great is eigible for induction next year. (HansDat note: oops - looks like this was written Friday night or early Saturday and an editor forgot to check it - "...and left tackle Willie Roaf is a strong candidate to be elected this season or next." 2nd HansDat note - I foresee much shameless self promotion - SSP - coming from the Great Dane in the coming year...)
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Video: NFL Honors: AP Offensive Player of the Year | nfl.com
Don Draper hamms it up to give Saints QB Drew Brees the 2011 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award after Brees set a single-season record with 5,476 passing yards. Includes Drew's acceptance speech.
Drew Brees is named NFL Offensive Player of the Year | NOLA.com
Associated Press - He broke Dan Marino's passing record.
Drew Brees gets consolation prize - NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y. - New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees has been named NFL Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.
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team_gleason team gleason
Just heard from @SI_PeterKing. The NBC feature on our journey with ALS will air at 4:37 EST. 1 big step 2 a solution. -SG #NoWhiteFlags
Today is Super Bowl Sunday, and with our attention freed up because our beloved Saints aren't playing, we can focus on the cool and fun commercials!! @YAY!!!!!@ #silverlining?
With Dave putting up that easy cash pay ad Friday on CSC, I was inspired to post this story about my all-time favorite Super Bowl commercials.
In my Super Bowl predictions, I forecast that the commercials this year will be just ok, with none that vault into "instant classic" status, so why not engage in some nostalgia and enjoy the good ole days of Super Bowl Ads.
Come along with me across the jump to see my favorites and read a bit about why I like(d) them so much. And after you've seen all those and commented below, feel free to post links to your own favorites and tell us why YOU like(d) them!
TERRY TATE, OFFICE LINEBACKER is my numero uno all-time favorite. Why? Because it combines aspect of football, the Theatre of the Absurd, and Office Space. Those are three things I enjoy separately, and when they're all together in one soft taco - YUM!! And don't forget the cover sheet on your TPS report.
MEAN JOE GREENE, "HEY KID, CATCH." This one hit me right between the eyes when I was a child, and it has stayed with me all these years.
1984 APPLE'S MACINTOSH AD This one also stuck with me, but I must admit that as a 13-year old, I really wasn't sure what it was all about...I mean, I had read Orwell's book and all, but I wasn't really doing much with computers back then.
BUDWEISER FROGS loved this one at first, but then it got old in a real hurry...
USUALLY THEY GO FOR TWO Clever ad with an even cleverer punchline.
SALES ARE DOWN Call me a rube, call me a simpleton, but I do very much enjoy a "silly monkeys in suits" commercial now and again...
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OK, now that I've shared some of my all-time favorite Super Bowl ads, jump in and tell me what you think of them, and let me know what your favorites are, and link to them if they're not already here so we can all enjoy them, too!
OK. We all knew this was coming. But 48-2? Really? Did these folks vote before Thanksgiving?
Willie Roaf, who played left tackle for the New Orleans Saints from 1993-2001, has become the second long-time Saints player to be elected to the NFL Hall of Fame.
Roaf joins Jack Butler, Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Curtis Martin as members of the 2012 NFL Hall of Fame Induction Class.
Make the jump for more on the now Hall-of-Fame career of William Layton Roaf...
Roaf, who played collegiately at Louisiana Tech University, was drafted in the first round of the 1993 Draft by the New Orleans Saints with the 8th overall selection.
The Saints had to trade star LB and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Swilling to the Detroit Lions get him, and while it tore up fans to see the Dome Patrol broken up, it turned out pretty sweet for the Saints after all.
Roah anchored the left side of the Saints offensive line for nine seasons, earning seven Pro Bowl and two First Team All-Pro selections during that time.
He played in only seven games in 2001 due to injury, and was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in March of 2002. Roaf played for the Chiefs from 2002-2005, going to the Pro Bowl four more times, and making All-Pro once again before retiring in 2006.
Roaf was named to the NFL's All-Decade Teams of both the 1990s and 2000s, and by 2009 had become the Saints' most awarded player. (source)
The Times-Picayune/nola.com had this immediate story available online, and had this Tom Benson statement:
"We're glad to congratulate William Roaf in his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He meant a great deal to our team during his career with us. He was the best player on our team during his entire tenure with us, one of the top players in the history of our franchise and one of the NFL's greatest at his position."
The Saints official site posted this story following the announcement.
Roaf joins Dome Patroller Rickey Jackson (HOF Class of 2010) as the only players to play the majority of their careers with the Saints in the NFL Hall of Fame
Join your fellow Saints fans in celebrating the career and this great achievement by Willie Roaf in the comment section below.
j_bushrod7475 In the airport again... Back to kg
camjordan94 Top of the Mornin world.I think I'm bout to be in a flag football game out here... It's been a few yrs since i've played flag ftball #rusty
camjordan94 Day #4 let's honor Frederick Douglass, for all that he has done and how he contributed to the abolitionist movement #blackhistorymonth
caplannfl Super Dome wasn't finished being bulit? @jimsteeg: #SB46 Super Bowl IX was played in Tulane Stadium, why?"
dmcallister26 Twit fam how's everyone doing
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Photo: IndyCar gets New Orleans Saints treatment - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Mike Triplett - NFL descends on Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Super Bowl XLVI.
Moore Using End of Regular Season as Motivation | neworleanssaints.com
Alex Restrepo
New Orleans Saints looking forward to adding former left tackle Willie Roaf to short list of former Saints to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame | nola.com
Nakia Hogan - Still with some uncertainty surrounding his Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy last year, Willie Roaf asked his father to not make the drive to Dallas.
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Indy's Nice, But It Ain't New Orleans | wwl.com
Jay Vise
Super Bowl preparations bring New Orleans delegation to Indianapolis | NOLA.com
Michelle Krupa - Next year's NFL championship game is slated to be played Feb. 3, 2013, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
New York Giants boast Super group of receivers and top passing attacks without new-age tight end | NOLA.com
Mike Triplett - Wideouts are an assets that was initially considered a big concern for G-Men.
Former Saints linebacker Rob Ninkovich rises to the top with New England Patriots | NOLA.com
Jeff Duncan - Tough path becomes Ninkovich's blessing after knee injury in New Orleans.
Ten things to consider before Super Bowl XLVI kicks off | nfl.com
Michael Lombardi ponders things about the game as Super Bowl XLVI moves closer to kickoff.
What a week it's been | nfl.com
NFL video: Relive the excitement and media frenzy of Super Bowl week, as covered by NFL Network.
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NFC South programming notes - NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y. - It should be a quiet morning, followed by a busy late afternoon and evening around these parts.
Inaugural National Football League Honors | nfl.com
The night before Super Bowl XLVI, the NFL will salute its best players and plays from the 2011 season with "NFL Honors," a star-studded football and entertainment event.
My 2012 Hall pass: Parcells, Carter, Brown and Martin | nfl.com
Jason Smith - Despite playing with a series of lackluster quarterbacks, Tim Brown made the Pro Bowl nine times. Is he a Hall of Famer?
Brees Challenges Kids, One Video-Game Sprint at a Time | NYTimes.com
Mike Tanier - Drew Brees, representing the N.F.L.'s Play 60 initiative, wants kids to exercise and challenged some at a Super Bowl event to video game sprints. Includes video.
Every Friday during the NFL season we have a tradition here on Canal Street Chronicles: our weekly prediction contest. It's been a regular fixture for years now. As it turns out, the New York Giants have their own Friday tradition during the NFL season: eating Umberto's pizza.
It's a ritual that dates back to Michael Strahan, who started ordering pizza from Umberto's four years ago during their previous Super Bowl winning season. Yesterday, with the Giants preparing for another big game away from home, the famous Long Island pizzeria kept the tradition alive by hopping on a plane and delivering 15 pizzas to the team all the way in Indianapolis. It's been all over the local NY news and was big enough news to make Yahoo!'s front page slideshow, right next to the story about Tom Brady's athletic sisters (see right).
All of this, of course, has absolutely nothing to do with the Saints so you're probably wondering why the hell I'm even mentioning this. But it has everything to do with football and food and I believe it was the ancient and wise poet Meatloaf who once said, "Two out of three ain't bad."
As you might have guessed, there's another reason I've decided to devote an entire front page post to this topic. I'm a huge f*@#%$ Umberto's pizza lover!
Most of you know I grew up on Long Island, which inherently means I grew up eating their famous pizza. And, to put it quite simply, they make the greatest pizza that's ever been made in the history of pizza making on this planet. Yeah, I just said that. You can go ahead and name your favorite pizza place and try to convince me otherwise but I won't be listening, because I know you're wrong. Unless your favorite pizza joint also happens to be Umberto's. If you've never tasted the cheesy, crispy, garlicky goodness of a Grandma slice, you have no room to talk. Just ask Michael Strahan.
Am I biased? Yeah, a little. Am I friends with the family that owns the restaurant? I might be. Did I work at two of their establishments on two separate occasions in my younger days? It's possible. Do I love it so much that I have unaltered personal photos of a Grandma pie talking to me?
But if it wasn't as good as I claim then they wouldn't be voted Long Island's best pizza year in and year out, they wouldn't be the best thing that Rocco DiSpirito ever ate and a bunch of very large and very hungry men wouldn't have it delivered every Friday for years now across state lines into New Jersey.
I know this has nothing to do with the Saints but we're all New Orleanians either in actuality or at heart, which means the other thing we're all passionate about aside from football is food. And Umberto's, my friend, is as good as food gets. So the next time you're within a 50 mile radius of Nassau County, NY, be sure to hit up Umberto's and see what all the fuss is about. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Also, as Saints fans, I'm sure we can certainly relate to not only the culinary but the superstitious tendencies of the pizza-loving Giants. After all, where would Drew Brees be without his cheesy mac?
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