[StBernard] Good Read from Saints TE Billy Miller

[Westley Annis]

Take the time to read this...it is really awesome!!

Billy's Blog
by Billy Miller, NewOrleansSaints.com
Tuesday, December 01, 2009 - 3:45 PM

Sorry for the few weeks off I took, fans. Needed to sit back and collect my
thoughts, and boy do I have a few!
During the 2008 season there was quite a bit of talk about what was said by
our quarterback, Drew Brees, and all that goes on in the Saint's much
publicized "breakdown" before a game. It's one of those things that very few
people are a part of actually being in, but something that obviously is very
visual and intriguing to our fans and general football fans.
The last couple of weeks I've been reflecting on what was said a year ago
and
what the team says (chants) now before a game. Yes most of it is a lot of
"Ra-Ra hype" to get our guys ready to play the game, but one statement that
we made still stands true. Our saying "We Are New Orleans!" was chanted by
the team only on away games. This statement, I feel, has never been more
true
than right now. In 2009, of course, we all know the New Orleans Saints are
11-0. This is not just a combination of guys on this year's team, but it
also
talks about the hard work that started four years ago, right after our team
returned from being relocated to San Antonio by the devastation of Hurricane
Katrina.
So when we say "We Are New Orleans!," we mean all of us.
The Saints and their fans--like one big family.

>From this statement I have drawn some parallels from this city's struggle

and
fight to the Saints' struggle and fight. Our team is made up of many
personalities and varied backgrounds that blend together to make one hell of
a football team. Just like this city is blended with many colors, creeds,
and
backgrounds that make it one of the greatest cities on the planet!
I'm so proud to be on this team that has so many players that were pretty
much passed or not wanted. In a lot of ways, like New Orleans was during
Katrina, overlooked and disregarded!
Players that automatically come to mind for me, and I know I am excluding
some, but that's the risk I take:

RB Pierre Thomas, who was an undrafted rookie free agent, and is now the
leading rusher on our team.
QR Marques Colston, who no one had even heard about coming out of college,
to
being the #1 receiver on our team.
CB Mike McKenzie, aka "Money Mike," who just two weeks ago was tailgating at
the Saints games and then had a key interception against the Pats and was
all
over the field.
WR Robert Meachem, who many felt was a bust after being injured early in his
rookie season, who has gone on of the most exciting deep threats in this
league and has scored a touchdown in four straight games.
CB Randall Gay, who also was undrafted, has won a Super Bowl ring, and is
helping all of his teammates stay even-keeled and level-headed through a
pretty exciting time.
SS Roman Harper, who missed a large portion of entire rookie season due to
injury, but has battled back and now lead the team in tackles. In my
opinion,
he is one of the most, if not the most, underrated strong safeties in this
league.
C Jonathan Goodwin, a free agent from the Jets a few years ago, who nobody
even took a second notice of when he signed with us as a free agent. Now he
is responsible for calling all of the signals and battles some of the
biggest
and toughest defensive tackles on a weekly basis.
Guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks, both mid-round draft choices that anchor
and lead the way to a running game that is powerful, yet athletic enough to
be really tough in pass protection.
Left tackle Jermon Bushrod, who has stepped in and ably filled the shoes
when
Pro Bowl left tackle Jammal Brown went down with a season-ending injury.
RT Jon Stinchcomb, who a lot of people (you know who you are) wrote off as
being a bust. He's certainly deserving of a Pro Bowl nod in a lot of
people's
opinion.
Our starting linebackers, Jonathan Vilma, Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle, who
are bringing the wood-week in and week out.
Tight end David Thomas. He is playing a lot of roles and making plays and
has
been one heck of a find.
DT Anthony Hargrove, who I don't have enough space to write this guy's
testimony for you, but he's the most inspirational player on this team and
it
parallels this city. Which reminds me, I need to get him on The Sean Payton
Show with me.
Just look at our 3 captains, Drew Brees, Jonathan Vilma, Troy Evans. They
lead by words, example and are there every day. Winning and being
professionals is what they preach and exhibit on a daily basis. We follow
their leads.
Drew Brees was the starting QB for a playoff team, who then turned around
and
drafted a first round QB because they didn't feel he was a long-term answer?
Once he hurt his shoulder, there was only two teams that wanted him, the New
Orleans Saints and who cares who else?!
But our GM, Mickey Loomis and Head Coach Sean Payton, took a chance on the
guy with a bad shoulder to be the face of this franchise! Pretty good move,
I
would say.
And thank you 30 other teams who passed on him, because he's the best QB in
the league and he plays for and with us. He is our leader.
Troy Evans who had been the special teams captain in Houston , but was free
to walk out the door for some reason? So now he's our Special Teams Captain
of the 11-0 New Orleans Saints and proves he still has it (although we knew
from the moment he walked in here he never had lost it).
There are so many of these stories on this team.
But, last but not least, myself. When the Saints called me, I had just been
cut from the Cleveland Browns. Maybe you didn't hear me. I got cut from the
Browns?
So I was just going to retire from football. But this city and this football
team embraced me and made me feel at home. They game me an opportunity to
play this game that I love so dearly. I was able to really prove I still had
it. Even now as I sit on IR icing my knee and my Achilles, this city
continues to treat me as one of their own! I'll never forget that and I love
you for it. Many cities and fans have an attitude of 'what have you done for
me lately?' But in this city, once you're a Saint, you're always a Saint.

>From the bottom of my heart---Thank you.

I guess what I'm trying to say overall here is that I've seen this city go
through one of the toughest times in our country's history. We were
overlooked and many wrote us off.
But guess what? We've come back stronger. So if you're looking for an answer
as to why we are playing so well, just look at the people in this city. All
who have come together, no matter what background, to help each other to
rebuild something so great as New Orleans ! So no more paper bags over your
faces. After those disasters, we have bonded together and been faithful to
create the a pretty unique team, because "We Are New Orleans !"
Also, thank you for being so loud in the Dome Monday night! We need you more
than you know right now, so please be as loud as you can the rest of this
season for us!
Who Dat!