FROM THE REAL ART SPORTS DESK
Saints' magic-carpet ride hits a stone wall in Chicago

From the AP via ESPN:

The Chicago Bears know how to make a Super Bowl memorable. They're making this one historic long before it's played.

Dissed all season long, Rex Grossman and Co. are heading to the big game for the first time since 1985 after rolling over the New Orleans Saints 39-14 Sunday, and Da Coach leading them there makes it all the more special.

Lovie Smith's arrival in Miami will make him the first black head coach to reach the marquee game in its 41 years.

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Make that one of the first black head coaches to go to the Super Bowl, now that we know he'll be facing Tony Dungy who heads the Colts.

Anyway, the Saints had a damned fine run. They even had a shot there for a while after that Reggie Bush 88 yard TD catch. But they turned the ball over four times, and I've heard coaches and commentators alike assert many times that if you turn the ball over that much you don't deserve to win. On the other hand, such football philosophy can end up being a bit funny. The Fox sports guys calling the game were in agreement that it was the turnovers, rather than the cold and snow, that killed the Saints. But what the hell do they think was most responsible for all those fumbles? Bad luck?

At any rate, the Saints'll be back next year. I think I'm a fan now.

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