According to STATS, Inc., Brees is the first NFL quarterback to hold a record for most completions in a Super Bowl and most appearances with a puppet.
This past week, Saints QB Drew Brees added to his list of impressive accomplishments, all without throwing a single pass. Much to the delight of my two year old daughter and children across the greater New Orleans area, Mr. Brees made a cameo on Sesame Street. I personally think the Muppets are fantastic, which got me to thinking: what is the Muppet equivalent to many our favorite members of the Black and Gold?
Drew Brees = Kermit the Frog. The undisputed leader of the group. When things get hairy, Brees/Kermit rise to the occasion. Everyone listens to these two, and with good reason.
Shaun Rogers = Bobo the Bear. Just based on the physical resemblance.
Jonathan Vlima = Big Bird. An eternal optimist. Not very flashy, but doesn’t have to be. Is a good second banana to Kermit/Brees.
Marques Colston = Gonzo. Maybe not the first Muppet/Saint you think of off the bat, but he’s still very important to the whole group. Introspective, he is unique (Gonzo with his trademark blue nose/Colston with his trademark humility, a rarity among elite receivers) and well liked among his teammates.
Darren Sproles = Pepe the Prawn. Short in stature, but huge in importance. Like Pepe, Sproles makes the show/team much better.
Patrick Robinson = Clifford. Again, based solely on physical resemblance.
Jimmy Graham = Animal. A destructive force of nature. Nothing gets in his way. Everyone loves Graham/Animal.
Sean Payton = Dr. Bunsen Honeydew. Like his Muppet counterpart, Coach Payton is a brilliant mind. Instead of inventing things like the electric nose warmer and the steel rabbit, Payton creates offensive schemes and formations better than anyone in the league right now. Sure, sometimes things blow up in his face every now and again (see: failed fake FG vs. Giants), but he means well and usually on the right track.
Gregg Williams = Sam the Eagle. My favorite Muppet. Gregg Williams, like Sam, is disciplined, stern, and rarely gives a smile. He is all business, and has the demeanor of a high-school disciplinarian.
Tom Benson = Oscar the Grouch. Rough around the edges, and that’s putting it nicely. Has pulled some pretty despicable stuff in the past (be a jackass to everything with a pulse/threaten to move the team to San Antonio), but has been humanized in the recent past by a strong female figure (Maria on Sesame Street/Rita Benson Leblanc on Poydras Street).
Jim Henderson and Hokie Gajan = Statler and Waldorf. The Saints’ radio play-by-play team keeps running commentary of the play on the field, just like the two old guys in the Muppet Show.
Bobby Hebert = Swedish Chef. Because I can’t understand a freaking word he says.
The Muppets, like the Saints, operate as a team. No one member makes the show/game turn one way or another. While we all may have our favorites, each member works as an ensemble, leading to success for the entire production. I did leave out one comparison. The fans are the kids and their parents that watch each show. We the fans are excited to tune in every week, no matter what hijinks take place.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks