MEMORIES, MOMENTS & COFFEE: New canvas, clean slate for 2007 Saints

The other day I sat at my desk and dug up some of the articles from various newspapers throughout the &#8220Bless You Boys” incredible run to the NFC Championship game.

Much like it is before I create each column, the Saints and their fans had a blank piece of paper allowing them to fill in the empty spaces with highlights as they reeled before our eyes.

The story created by the players and the &#8220Who Dat Nation” could be written into a screenplay, made into a major motion picture, and recorded on DVD with special features to ensure no one forgets the impact of a team and its city.

There was Deuce carrying a flock of Eagles into the end zone.

There was Marques Colston with his acrobatic leaps and Venus Flytrap hands that caught everything in sight.

And who could forget the blocked punt by Steve Gleason, the one that made grown men cry tears of joy.

The draft was incredible, as a Southern California star, Reggie Bush, landed in our laps as well as two key off-season pick-ups in Sean Payton and Drew Brees.

A coach for the sideline and one for the field teamed up to change a mess into art fit for a museum. Brushes painted a brilliant scenery that included a renovated dome, rejuvenated fan base and a complete team effort.

It took Bush a few games to get acclimated to the NFL style of play. The side-to-side, flashy brand seen when tearing apart Pac-10 defenses had to make way for a more patient, multi-purpose, north and south game geared for opponents in the NFC South and beyond.

Oh, but when it finally clicked, it did so in a big way. In breakouts like the game against the San Francisco 49ers where &#8220Baby Matrix” set up shop in the end zone three times and that catch-and-run for the ages in the prime-time match-up with Dallas provided a glimpse of what this kid is capable of accomplishing.

Recovery from shoulder surgery had experts questioning whether he was capable of producing the numbers he put up in San Diego. Nonetheless, Brees desired to play for a team that believed in him.

And I am sure that after passing for more than 4,000 yards, 26 touchdowns, a Pro Bowl trip and the tons of jerseys worn by adoring fans, it’s obvious that he found such a team in New Orleans.

But he could not fill his role without Payton, the coach of the sideline.

Since his arrival, Payton has cleaned house. Out with the bad (which included attitudes, habits, personnel, and players) and in with the new (accountability, motivation, and leadership).

Payton displayed his passion in the &#8220Return to the Dome” game on September 25.

After a blocked punt allowed the Saints to score the game’s first touchdown, Payton leaped into the air as if he was suited up and ready to play.

So as we look forward to the start of training camp this weekend, let us never forget the incredible way last season played out.

But once again, we should also take out a new canvas and start fresh.

And this time, let’s hope the last brush stroke includes the Lombardi Trophy.

Cade Voisin is the program director for ESPN Radio AM 1490 and host of &#8220The Red Zone.” Contact Voisin at (985) 851-1020 or cvoisin@sunburstradio. com.