Super Bowl Saturday

The 2009 Saints have practiced for the last time as a team.

Pierre Thomas wrote, "Just finished our last practice now it's time to put in the work Sunday." Billy Miller added, "Last real practice together for this group of saints and it was a good one. There can only be one champ! Let's go get it!"

There's just one game left now.

Thomas told the media this week that if he scores in the Superbowl, he will give the ball to Deuce McAllister, the retired Saints runningback, who will be on the sidelines for the team just as he was in the playoffs. Because McAllister was on the 53-man roster for the divisional game, he will also get a Super Bowl ring, should the Saints prevail.

Win or lose, the Saints parade in New Orleans will be memorable. The route begins in front of the Superdome Tuesday afternoon, and will reportedly carry the entire Saints organization and roster.

Update on Miller's injury here: "I was told I would not be able to run routes by the superbowl. I belived different. Well it was not that fast but I did it."

Wednesday before Super Bowl notes

The Saints practiced at the University of Miami's field today in a show of relative health.

Limited in practice were CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), TE Jeremy Shockey (knee), DE Bobby McCray (back/ankle), CB Randall Gay (foot), WR Courtney Roby (knee), T Zach Strief (shoulder), DE Will Smith (groin, not related to 2008 sports hernia), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee), S Pierson Prioleau (quadriceps).

The only player missing from practice was fourth string RB Lynell Hamilton.

As for the Colts, injured superstar DE Dwight Freeney (ankle) was not at practice today.

New Brees deal: ESPN is reporting that the Saints will renegotiate QB Drew Brees' salary this offseason, whose current salary is good for middle of the pack of starting quarterbacks, 17th in the league. His Super Bowl opponent QB Peyton Manning will also reportedly get a new deal.

Brees and Manning were 1-2 and 2-1 in the Sporting News and AP All-Pro Teams. Manning led the league in lowest sack percentage while Brees lead the league in completion percentage and overall QB rating.

Praise for Greer: Football Outsider's statisticians capture high praise for Saints CB Jabari Greer, who was second only to Jets CB Darrelle Revis in two major statistical categories.

Notice also in that article that three different Colts cornerbacks are in the top 10 in fewest yards after catch allowed per target.

Super Bowl XLIV features Louisiana products

Aside from the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV will feature numerous Louisiana players.

On the Colts' roster there are five players Louisiana born or bred, more than on the New Orleans roster:

RB Joseph Addai (hometown: Houston, TX; college: LSU)
QB Peyton Manning (hometown: New Orleans, LA; college: Tennessee)
WR Reggie Wayne (hometown: New Orleans, LA; college: Miami)
DE Keyunta Dawson (hometown: Shreveport, LA; college: Texas Tech)
K Matt Stover (hometown: Dallas, TX; college: Louisiana Tech)

Colts practice squad:

CB Darrick Brown (hometown: Tangipahoa, LA; college: McNeese State)

On the Saints roster:

CB Randall Gay (hometown: Brusly, LA; college: LSU)
WR Devery Henderson (hometown: Opelousas, LA; college: LSU)
CB Tracy Porter (hometown: Port Allen, LA; college: Indiana)

On the Saints practice squad:

DT Marlon Favorite (hometown: Gretna, LA; college: LSU)
CB Greg Fassitt (hometown: New Orleans, LA; college: Grambling State)