The Saints vs Falcons season opener saw Sean Payton get his Roasted Falcon entree in a most delightful fashion.
Leading by three the Saints had to settle for a field goal and a six point lead with two minutes left in the game.
Saints fans watched in misery as Matty "Ice" Ryan drove the Falcons down the field to the Saints three yard line. We'd seen this before, but this time Rob Ryan's goal line defense was fierce. What a pleasant surprise after last year's record setting Saints Un-defense. On fourth down pressure up the middle forced Matt Ryan to make an off balance throw. Saints first round draft choice, rookie Kenny Vaccaro tipped the ball into the air.
The next 35 milliseconds seemed to last forever. In the past Falcon extraordinaire Tony Gonzales would have swooped in and snagged the tipped ball, but on this day grey haired #41, Roman Harper got there first. It was his second great assist of the day and proved to be the margin of victory.
Red feathers rained down around coach Payton. Well they should have, and if any Assistant Coach for the Saints is reading this, they will after the Saints defeat Atlanta in the Georgia Dome on Monday Night Football, November 21st.