One has to love the paparazzi. I like the “anti-Jessica” line.

Original song created by Stephen Arnold Music for the New Orleans Saints and WVUE FOX. Recorded in New Orleans and featuring Big Sam’s Funky Nation and Greg Barnhill.

By Pat Yasinskas

I had a conversation this afternoon with high-ranking official from an NFC South team — I can’t reveal the source, and you’ll understand why in a minute, and we are not talking the New Orleans Saints here.

“You know, I get a little sick of hearing so much about the NFC East,’’ the official said. “Do me a favor and look up how many teams we’ve had in the NFC Championship Game. I bet it’s more than the NFC East.’’

I looked it up and he’s right. Since the NFL went to its current division format in 2002, the NFC South has sent six teams to the NFC Championship Game, including the Saints this season. The NFC East has sent five — and let’s include a shout-out to our friends in Dallas: The Cowboys represent zero in that equation — with four trips by Philadelphia and one by the Giants.

Read more on the NFC South Blog

By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

January 20, 2010, 3:00AM

One more win, and they’re in.

Just one more win Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, and the Saints will earn their first trip to the Super Bowl in 43 years of existence.

Just one more win in front of the long-suffering fan base inside of a delirious Superdome, and the Saints might just kick off the greatest party this city has ever seen.

That’s why you’ll be watching.

But here are 10 additional interesting subplots worth monitoring as the game unfolds:

Click here to read the stories.

METAIRIE, La. — Less than a week after he rejoined the New Orleans Saints, running back Deuce McAllister appeared ready to announce his formal retirement from football.

The Clarion-Ledger newspaper in Jackson, Miss., reported the announcement could happen late Tuesday.Last Friday, McAllister was welcomed back to the team after a year-long absence. In a ceremonial role, he led the Saints onto the Superdome field to thunderous applause from a sold-out crowd.McAllister was not active for the game and did not dress in uniform. His playing prospects in the NFC Championship and — perhaps — the Super Bowl were not clear.

Read more of the story on WDSU here.

Bucky Brooks and Michael Lombardi analyze the Vikings-Saints NFC Championship matchup.
Great video about upcoming game CLICK HERE NOW

What a great performance of the National Anthem. It was very emotional to hear the whole Dome singing!!

by Don Banks

• What exactly got into Reggie Bush? The Saints fourth-year running back finally had the kind of spectacular game that everyone was braced for the moment he stepped foot off the USC campus in 2006.

Maybe he got a motivational kick start from seeing Pete Carroll re-join the NFL? More likely, he realized it was now or never in regards to ever fulfilling his vast play-making potential. And what was up with that black bat he carried on the field in the pre-game? Bringing the wood? Really? At the NFL level, do motivational gimmicks like that actually work?

By Pat Yasinskas

I just received some more details from ESPN Stats & Information about Reggie Bush‘s dynamic performance in Saturday’s playoff victory.

On five carries, Bush averaged 16.8 yards. That’s a league postseason record. The previous record was 14.9 yards by Michael Vick in a 2004 divisional playoff game. Stephen Davis set the record one year before Vick in a divisional playoff game. Before that, the record was 12.8 by Bo Jackson in a 1990 divisional playoff.

Bush also became only the second player in history to score on a run and a punt return in the same postseason game. Charlie Trippi first did it in 1947.

Bush also became just the fifth player in history to score two touchdowns of 45 or more yards in a postseason game. Randy Moss (2000 season) Ricky Sanders (in Super Bowl XXII), Elmger Angsman (1947) and Wayne Millneer (1937 also did it).

Bush’s 83-yard punt return also was the third longest in NFL postseason history. Jermaine Lewis (88 yards) set the record in 2001. Anthony Carter had an 84-yarder in a 1987 playoff game.

By Pat Yasinskas

Three things to know about next Sunday’s NFC Championship Game between the Vikings and Saints.

1. This one will be a dream matchup of quarterbacks. Brett Favre is an official legend and icon around the world. Even at 40, he’s been playing great football. Drew Brees is a legend and an icon in New Orleans. But this game may be his chance to take that legend beyond New Orleans. Brees has been very good for quite some time now. But to truly get the recognition he deserves, he needs to go out and be the best quarterback on the field.

To read the rest check out the NFC South Blog here.