Falcons fans: Are you rooting for or against the Saints?
The Falcons have been going against the Saints forever. So should Falcons fans be pulling for Indianapolis? (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Had an interesting exchange last night with Falcons coach Mike Smith, when I spoke to him about two conference championship games. At one point, I asked Smith if he had any feelings about the New Orleans franchise finally making it to the Super Bowl.
“No, not really,” Smith said.
So the whole thing about the tormented franchise . . .
“No.”
This wasn’t surprising, I suppose. Smith coaches the Falcons. Football coaches don’t get emotional about other team’s conquests, particularly when the other team is a division rival. (The Falcons lost two close meetings this season). But I was wondering: How do Falcons fans feel about this?
In the live blog off championship Sunday, several Falcons fans chimed in, saying no true Falcons fan should be pulling for the Saints. Maybe because I didn’t grow up here, I can’t relate to the hate in the rivalry. Plus, I’ve never gotten a sense of that “hate” in annual Falcons-Saints games that I do Georgia-Florida, Georgia-Georgia Tech and even Braves-Mets.
Question: Am I wrong for liking the fact the Saints finally made it, especially with the backdrop of the problems in the city of New Orleans? How to do you feel about the Saints being in the Super Bowl, and will you be pulling for them or Indianapolis?
Let me know what you think and I’ll check back.
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307 comments Add your comment
Patrick
January 25th, 2010
11:23 am
I rooted against Favre. But that’s all the Saint fandom I can take. I’ll now be rooting for Manning which, as a dawg fan, is an entirely different sin. But, sue me, I like the guy. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Falcons fans rooting for the Saints, it makes the NFC and NFC South look stronger and makes everyone more legitimate.
An Observation
January 25th, 2010
11:23 am
I just don’t want the Saints to win a Super Bowl before the Falcons…..at least we’ve been there before and even though the Falcons lost, up to this point, they had not gotten to a Super Bowl……..GO COLTS…..I love the city of NO, but hate the obnoxious Saints’ fans.
FALCON
January 25th, 2010
11:23 am
GO COLTS!!!
The Ain'ts
January 25th, 2010
11:23 am
Those low-lifes are going down. Hurricane Manning will give them nightmares for decades.
Mora Sr.
January 25th, 2010
11:26 am
Play…offs…Play…offs……The Saints won’t be able to beat there way out of this “Paper-Bag”.Pop goes the weasel cause the weasel goes pop.
UGA Student
January 25th, 2010
11:27 am
I am pulling for the Colts, even though Peyton went to UT. As a lifelong Falcons fan, it is just too much to pull for the Saints. I am happy to see them in it because it shows that a long-suffering franchise (such as the Falcons) can do it. And at least they arent the Bucs. When it comes down to it, I dont care who wins as long as the excitement from the last two Super Bowls is still there.
Rectal Bleeding
January 25th, 2010
11:27 am
There are a lot of obese people in New Orleans.
DB
January 25th, 2010
11:28 am
I will NEVER be able to bring myself to pull for the Aints…. Lets go Peyton!
UGA Falcon Fan
January 25th, 2010
11:29 am
The Falcons-Saints rivalry reminds me of the UGA/Auburn rivalry, in which it’s very friendly. I have been to New Orleans several times post-Katrina, and they could definitely use a Super Bowl title. Also, as a UGA fan, I despise the Colts because of Peyton Manning/UT. GEAUX SAINTS!!!!
Reid Adair
January 25th, 2010
11:30 am
Jeff, while I wholeheartedly disagree with you, I don’t think that makes you wrong. I don’t believe this is an issue with a clear “right” or “wrong.”
The problems that still exist in New Orleans won’t be helped by the Saints going to the Super Bowl. That doesn’t re-build houses or replace lost belongings – unless the players are all donating their playoff checks to relief efforts.
That being said, my experiences over the past 25-plus years have not been so positive as a visiting team fan in the New Orleans area. It is amazing how they feel their franchise (even prior to this season) was far superior to the Falcons.
So, personally, I was not for the Saints (especially not after how reviews played a factor in determining the outcome of last night’s game). I will not be a fan of the Saints in two weeks either.
juxta
January 25th, 2010
11:32 am
the saints had too easy of a schedule to deserve the superbowl this year. the “quality” teams they played against shot themselves in the foot like the vikings did (5 vikings turnovers and the saints only win by a field goal?). go colts!…you deserve to thrash the saints and make this superbowl one of the most one-sided in history…which it will be
Dunkley
January 25th, 2010
11:34 am
Atlanta is full of bandwagon fans, the Braves are a perfect example as when they were in the gutter few people cared but when they began to win it was tomahawk chop and Go Braves from the whole city. SOME Georgia Bulldawgs fans are the absolute worst to, there are fans that actually believe that ESPN kept them out of the National Title in 07 even though they didn’t win the East nor did they play in or even win the SEC Title. SOME of them talk about about them having National Title years in 02 and 05 like that means anything considering the Coaches Trophy is not sitting in Athens. When they lose a game it is always someone elses fault like the refs, Willie Martinez, or even worse one of their own players. Worst fans in college football by far……….they can’t even keep the campus clean during gameday. 41-17
Laughing Gas
January 25th, 2010
11:35 am
You people in New Orleans need to all go down to Bourbon st. and buy some of those Nitrous Oxide torpedo’s and balloon actuators before going to Miami.That way you can laugh with the Colt fans after Manning shreds your team for 400-500 yards and 4 touchdowns….BOO-HOO
MSS
January 25th, 2010
11:35 am
Manning is the best QB ever he diserves to win Go Colts
A Rod
January 25th, 2010
11:36 am
go colts I despise the saints.
blazerdawg
January 25th, 2010
11:37 am
Saints fans are low rent, but I hope the team wins the SB. Good for the NFC South.
R.U.KIDDIN'MEE
January 25th, 2010
11:38 am
AFTER THE WAY WE GOT SCREWED BY THE REF’S IN BOTH OF OUR GAMES WITH THE NEW ORLEANS “KATRINA’S”…..HAH,GO COLT’S !!! DAT WHO!!!!
DBerds4ever
January 25th, 2010
11:41 am
Paraphrasing Jack Dundee in the movie “Best of Times” : “New Orleans must be destroyed!”
Falc. exec.
January 25th, 2010
11:41 am
Colts all the way! I hate the Saints…they may not all be this way but their fans that travel and sit next to my section in the Ga. Dome are the most rude, obnoxious, classless fans in the league. And they are our rival so…no way I pull for them. I want a COLTS blowout…plus I like the Colts new headcoach.
wintervilledawg
January 25th, 2010
11:42 am
In most years I would pull for the Saints but I really don’t like their team. I get tired of Brees and all his jumping up and down, I don’t like Shockley and I think there defense stinks but they jump up and down every so often when they make a play. Factor into the fact that I like Peyton Manning and I’ll be all for the Colts come super bowl Sunday.
Chattanooga Chuck
January 25th, 2010
11:43 am
It’s hard to have warm feelings toward the Saints when you look at one of their messageboards and read all the insults directed against the Falcons, When it comes to bad blood, the Saint fans are the aggressors. That said, I’ll try to be happy for their good fans if they happen to beat the Colts, but it won’t be easy,
Retired on the lake
January 25th, 2010
11:46 am
Go Colts. !!!!
Mr. Thomas Anthony "The Taxman Cometh" Jones, SR (Waf-SS, Lt. Colonel, Berman, Germany /ret.)
January 25th, 2010
11:48 am
As an formar Atlanta Falcons follower (no Mr. Michael Vick, no Taxman), I wanted the Saints to beat that New orleans saints to beat the man who should be retired. I no longer work in Heaven at the Internal Revenue Service and Favre should not have been brought back to steal jackson’s position. Who next Sam Huff or Leroy Jordan or Bart Starr or Johnny Unitas or Sammy Baugh. God intends for us to be in our on place at our own time. I was at Stalingrad and Sevestapol and Farve should stay retire after he won all those games at Green Bay. My father brought us to be Green Bay fans and he don’t cotton to traitors.
I will root for the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl,because these have the best coach in the National Football League in Mr. James “Jim” Caldwell. But I am glasd the Falcons’ divisional rivals the New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons twice this year. (God is on our side.) And I am glad the Saintas won the divsion and went to the playoffs and are going to the Supwer Bowl and the falcons did absolutely nothein this year.
By the way did you folks see Mr. Michael Vick in the Eagles vs. Falcons game this year on Sunday, december 6th, 2009? That is why we wore on our belt buckle thet God/Allah is on our side. Sweet!!!! And then on Thursday December 31th, Mr. Michael Vick’s university, Virginia Tech beat Tennessee 37-14 here in the Chick-fil-A Bowl here in Georgia Dome in downtown Marthasville, Georgia (Atlanta, GA). Yes the Georgia Dome the house that Mr. Michael Vick built and filled up! Yes God/Allah is on our side. Today Amerika, Tomorrow the World! History always repeats itself. Lose falcons, Lose falcons. Go Colts, Go Saints, Go Eagles!!! Anybody but the backstabbing Falcons.
I think I saw Mr. Michael Vick, Mr. Marcus Vick and Mr. D’Angelo Hall all at the Chick-fil-A Bowl Game.
All I got to say for the loser Marthasville Falcons is Burn, Baby, Burn!
atlanta sports fan
January 25th, 2010
11:51 am
I will not be watching the super bowl this year. Manning is a child. /(baby) and and being a long time Falcon fan I will never cheer for the AINTS
Ree Roe
January 25th, 2010
11:55 am
I’m disgusted by you “Falcons fans” who want NO to lose. I hope the Saints lose everytime they play, including in the Super Bowl. Go Falcons!
-REEcently Roe!!!
Ree Roe
January 25th, 2010
11:56 am
I’m disgusted by you “Falcons fans” who want NO to win. I hope the Saints lose everytime they play, including in the Super Bowl. Go Falcons!
-REEcently Roe!!!
Paulitik
January 25th, 2010
11:58 am
I’d pull for cancer before I pulled for the Ain’ts.
Tea Bagged by Peyton
January 25th, 2010
11:59 am
You know how I feel about Peyton……Go Saints!
Colts
January 25th, 2010
11:59 am
I hope the Colts DEMOLISH the Aints. Tired of “Who Dat” and idiots misspelling Go like “Geaux”. Saints fans are just as annoying as LSU Fans and Katrina was 5 YEARS AGO! The “Chocolate City” needs no more fans – how soon we forget the OTHER areas that were hurt so badly by Katrina but they didn’t matter and they still don’t. If you always supported the Aints, even when suffering fans would put bags on their heads, congrats, but if you’re the typical Atlanta “Fairweather Fan” sportin yo Yankees Caps and freshly purchased Aints Jersey then I hope you remove your head from your rear end and support yo local teams more – Lord knows ATLANTA sure could use fans of ATLANTA TEAMS. And to root for a rival of the Falcons (who have yet to Win a Superbowl) is downright criminal! Jeez!!!!!!
Big B CH 99
January 25th, 2010
12:01 pm
Born and raised in Atl, but I don’t hate the Saints, I think it’s great for the city to see them finally get to the Super Bowl, & I hope they win. I have nothing against the Colts & I love Peyton, but they won it a couple of yrs ago, so I want the Saints to win one.
I don’t think that Falcons/Saints is a hatred rivalry like several local college ones (Tech/UgaY- lifelong Tech fan, now a student), UgaY/Fl, the Iron Bowl.
DawgDad
January 25th, 2010
12:01 pm
Yes, I’ll be rooting for the Saints.
1. I DO generally “root for teams from my Division” when my home team or favorite is eliminated. SEC, NFC South/NFC, NL East, etc.
2. Somewhat like last year, if you get beat out, it’s reassuring to go down to the best team. Who thinks finishing second to a playoff loser is better than finishing second to the eventual Super Bowl winner?
3. The Colts don’t deserve to win after laying down at the end of the regular season. Something about not respecting the integrity of the game.
4. I like Drew Brees; always have. At Purdue, he beat out the son of a co-worker of mine for the starting QB job. Feel bad for my co-worker and his son, but he had nothing but the highest praise for Brees as a QB and a person. His son had lead a Missouri HS team to the state championship.
5. Teams that win the Super Bowl tend to struggle (by comparison) the following year. GO SAINTS!!!!
MSDawg
January 25th, 2010
12:01 pm
They will always be the Aints!!! GO COLTS!!!!
nfalcon
January 25th, 2010
12:02 pm
go colts, he-ll hasn’t frozen over yet and they haven’t beaten the colts. any self-respecting falcons fan should be against the saints.
TNT
January 25th, 2010
12:02 pm
It was petersons fault the vikes lost+harvin+berrian. Favre did everything right. except for the end of regulation but wouldntve happened if they didnt fumble it 20 times prior to that….
Oh and by the way, WHO DAT!!!! gonna beat them Saints!!!………..The Colts…..
azndread1
January 25th, 2010
12:04 pm
im going for the colts… i mean no one can really stop payton. his one of those quaterback who shredz your defense and call sick audibles. HE’S UNSTOPPABLE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!
Khao$
January 25th, 2010
12:06 pm
Enter your comments here
James Adams
January 25th, 2010
12:09 pm
I couldn’t care less about what they have ‘gone through’. Ask the people in Mississippi that went through Katrina what they think of the people of New Orleans. After visiting Mississippi and talking to the people there, it changed my view of everything in 2005. The NFL has gotten what they wanted . I will always hate the Saints and their obnoxious fans. Go Falcons!
Khao$
January 25th, 2010
12:11 pm
You can’t POSSIBLY call yourself a Falcon’s fan and root for the Saints! And I don’t want to hear about conference loyalty. The only folks in the nation that finds a way to root for college foes are these folks in SEC country…it makes no sense! And this is coming from a Georgia/ATL native. I root for my team. There is no reason for me to root for the Saints. I root for New Orleans the city to rebuild but not for their team. Two different things for me.
gary
January 25th, 2010
12:13 pm
Cannot and will not root for the Saints……EVER!!! Life long Falcon fan and the thought of the Aints winning a Super Bowl before the birds is just downright sickening. Go Colts.
Hirsutedawg
January 25th, 2010
12:13 pm
EFF the Saints IMO
UA Alum92
January 25th, 2010
12:13 pm
I’m pulling for the Colts. I think the Saints are a nice story, but just don’t see how they can hang against Manning & Co. The Vikes hung 475 yards on NOLA. I bet Peyton puts up 500 yards by himself.
docsbro
January 25th, 2010
12:13 pm
I just can’t imagine the Saints winning a Super Bowl before the Falcons. It is bad enough that the Bucs did it. How bad would it be to be the last in the division to win one. I like the odds better if the Saints lose. I am a lifer and all though there isn’t the same venom as the college rivalries there is still something enjoyable about seeing them lose.
TheAntiMe
January 25th, 2010
12:17 pm
Forgive me, Jeff, but I have never seen the reason why the New Orleans Saints football club deserves to win the Superbowl because they were devasted by a tragic storm.
Using that logic, I guess we should be have been rooting for the Miami Dolphins to win the Superbowl for the past dozen or so years because they were struck by Hurricane Andrew back in 1992.
Luv 2 Hate Me
January 25th, 2010
12:17 pm
GO SAINTS! They deserve a shot and maybe they can accomplish what the FALCONS couldn’t do! – WIN A SUPERBOWL
proscout
January 25th, 2010
12:19 pm
Don’t know who I’ll pull for, haven’t place my bet yet.
MIKE
January 25th, 2010
12:23 pm
I WAS PULLING FOR THE VIKINGS AT THE END BECAUSE OF FAVRE , DONT LIKE THE SAINTS OR THERE FANS THEY MAKE ME SICK WITH ALL THE WHO DAT CRAP . COLTS PEYTON WILL KILL THEM . BREES IS ARROGANT
W.P.
January 25th, 2010
12:24 pm
I have been a falcon’s fan since the 80’s and I’m going for the saints. I HATE Manning…..I hate any Manning! They all suck. Bring it to the south! If your last name is Manning I’ll probably hate you also.
Tommy
January 25th, 2010
12:24 pm
Jeff,
I’ll put it this way: I’d cheer for the nazi soccer team in ‘Victory’ before I’d cheer for the Saints.
how’s that?
Ackshun
January 25th, 2010
12:24 pm
I will actually be rooting for the Saints. Superbowl champions not called the Patriots typically implode the next year as anyone who can looks to cash in on their rings. So GEAUX SAINTS, we’ll be waiting for your weakened satisfied and complacent butts next year.
Oh yeah about those long suffering Saints fans. In the aftermath of Katrina New Orleans descended into complete chaos the Superdome was turned into a war-zone with rape gangs running unchecked and savagery and depravity of pre-historic levels unleashed by some of the very same people hollering themselves hoarse for the black and gold. So for the most part I am callously un-sympathetic.
(BTW Has anyone else noticed how easy it is for teams to beat the Pats since they can no longer video tape their opponents walk-throughs?)
Russ
January 25th, 2010
12:26 pm
screw the AINTS gnna beat the colts, and screw bandwagon falcon fans, yeah you included jeffy.