The State of Louisiana may change the official date of Christmas to February 7^th forever.  For it was this day that a young Messiah named Drew Brees and a Zen master named Sean Peyton gave the greatest gift in state history since the Louisiana Purchase.

Louisianans are proud of their heritage and culture (cuisine, Lent, Mardi Gras, and zest for living.) and the Saints are every bit a part of what that state is all about right down to the Fleur-de-lis flower, a symbol of French royalty.

To appreciate the significance of the Saints victory you have to have grown up watching futility of this franchise from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s.  Their fans invented the bags with the eyes cutout, called the “Bagheads.”

 Do your research, the Saints haven’t won any championship, nothing close until yesterday.  The Detroit Lions, while never reaching a Super Bowl, have a 60 year history and did win championships in the 50’s at least.  The Cleveland Browns won championships in the 50’s and 60’s.   The Saints have won nada, naw-ting.

Here are the reasons why the stars aligned for the Saints and why they’re Super Bowl Champions.

This has been a franchise that’s been to the playoffs fewer than 10 times in their entire history coupled with the devastating loss of their venue and almost complete destruction of their host city.  The fact that Dew Brees decided to play in New Orleans instead of Miami after Katrina is a gift from God.

  Brett Favre and Peyton Manning were battling against a force that can’t be seen with the eye or touched with the hand.  The Saints got all the bounces and critical calls against Minnesota, a more talented team all around.  No weapon formed against the Saints in 2009 prospered.

Tom Benson, an area car dealer purchased the team in 1985 and recognized the importance of the Saints to the New Orleans economy, community and pride of the state of Lousiana and kept the team in the city.   Despite rumors to the contrary, Benson relocated the team back to New Orleans after the Superdome was restored.   His passion and flair lent itself to the team.  His “Benson Boogie” energized the fans and made a positive impression on free agents and potential coaches.

The absolute best head coach in the business right now is Sean Peyton.  Peyton is on top of his game and he was the key hire by Saints management.  While the Saints would not have won the Super Bowl without Drew Brees, they certainly wouldn’t have won it without Sean Peyton.  Peyton is a genius play caller and game strategist (check the onside kick after halftime, or throwing of the flag on that two point conversion).  The crazy thing is Peyton acts like an introvert.  He’s not going to give you a bible of quotes like the late Vince Lombardi but this man will be a legend.  He also has an uncanny ability to “feel” the game and make adjustments according to the flow of the action on the field.   Imagine if Peyton had the talent of the Minnesota Vikings?

Peyton is the absolute key to the fortunes of the Saints and has his players utmost respect.

There is no questioning who the leader is in that organization and they will be successful for years to come as a result of it.  Like former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, Peyton has a gift for organization, coaching football and managing people. He like Gibbs will be successful with different quarterbacks at the helm.

Just think that San Diego could have resigned Brees but decided to push Phillip Rivers, not say Rivers isn’t a quality player, just not as good as Drew.  Brees is not your prototypical quarterback in regards to size and arm strength but he has that “Montana Magic” and an arm that can drop a football on a dinner plate from 50 yards out.

Brees did a Manning on Sunday and just picked apart the Colts defense despite his team being down ten points early.  Peyton Manning didn’t lose the game Sunday, Drew just didn’t make mistakes and out poised him.  Brees was cooler than the master and the Colts couldn’t knock his hustle.  This coupled with the fact that Sean Peyton was on his coaching game made the Saints unbeatable.

When Manning looks at the film he will basically see a mirror image of himself going to work, albeit in a smaller package.  Like Manning, once Brees gets into a rhythm it’s game over for the opposing defense and the Colts defense witnessed that first hand.

Had Dwight Freeney been healthy and caused trouble from the left side, Brees would have adjusted and still made plays.  Brees is the league MVP and best quarterback right now. If he stays relatively healthy, all the Saints have to do is keep the replacement parts around him solid and they’ll have a dynasty.