2012 lousy so far for Louisiana football fans

Saints, Tigers both fall in new year

Courtesy photo

Former DHS player Ed Reed had a huge interception in the final minutes of Sunday’s 20-13 Ravens victory.

The 2011 NFL season for the New Orleans Saints was memorable with a 13-3 win/loss mark and so was the 13-0 regular season finish by the LSU Tigers, but I have to say that the start of the 2012 year was lousy for football fans across our area.

First of all the LSU Tigers were beat in every phase of the contest in their 21-0 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the BCS national championship game.

The score was no indication on just how dominate the Crimson Tide were that night and give full credit to Alabama head coach Nick Saban and his staff for having his team fully prepared both mentally and physically for the contest.

The good news is that LSU returns 12 starters back from the 2011 team and 32 key backup performers and niche players also return to the lineup.

Then Saturday afternoon at Candlestick Park in San Francisco despite five turnovers the New Orleans Saints came within a heartbeat of pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history. The Saints spotted the 49ers 17 points before making a furious comeback late in the game and actually took the lead twice in the final four minutes.

Despite the heroics of Darren Sproles, Jimmy Graham and Drew Brees the Saints were beat late by the 49er combination of quarterback Alex Smith and tight end Vernon Davis, 36-32.

The Saints defense more than held their own against the 49ers, but they just spent way too much time on the field and the Smith/Davis combination made the big plays when everything was on the line.

The loss smashed the hopes of the "Who Dat" faithful who had dreams of possibly playing the NFC championship game in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, if the New York Giants could upset the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field.

And you would figure that is exactly what happened.

The Giants won the game 37-20 and now they have to travel to San Francisco for the NFC Championship game.

It was a great year to cover both LSU and the Saints, but it has really been a depressing way to start the 2012 year if you are a football fan in Louisiana.

 

Reed comes up big in playoff game

The greatest football player to come out of the River Parishes area, safety Ed Reed from Destrehan High School, is on the verge of getting to play on Super Bowl Sunday.

Reed led the Ravens to a 20-13 victory over the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs. The future NFL Hall of Fame safety recorded six tackles, four pass deflections and had a crucial interception in the final minutes of the contest.

Despite injuring an ankle on the interception Reed said he will be ready to go Sunday when the Ravens play Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

"I’m OK and ready to go," Reed said. "At my age your never know when you will get this far down the Super Bowl path again and as a team you have to make the most of your opportunities. Just bring them on, we’ll be ready."

Former Nicholls State defensive back Ladarius Webb intercepted two passes during the contest against the Texans.