Running back Chris Ivory took an uncommon path toward NFL stardom, but the 22-year-old undrafted rookie is the leading rusher on the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. Despite featuring in a backfield behind future Hall of Famer Drew Brees, Ivory was the star of the Saints’ victory last week in Cincinnati. The Longview, Texas native torched the Bengals for 117 yards on just 15 carries and a pair of touchdowns. Darting through the middle of Cincinnati’s defense, Ivory displayed his breakaway speed on a 55 yard TD run in the second quarter. Head coach Sean Payton’s newest favorite runner spent three seasons at Washington State, but was dismissed from the team as a junior for disciplinary reasons. Ivory headed to the tiny Ohio town of Tiffin to resurrect his playing career. The Tiffin University Dragons welcomed Ivory to the their team and Ivory rushed for 223 yards on 35 carries before suffering a season-ending injury to his knee. Despite his misfortune, NFL scout were still enamored by his speed and Ivory signed with the Saints shortly after the 2010 NFL Draft. His road to the New Orleans wasn’t an easy one, but it appears that Chris Ivory has a shot at shining a NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year Award this off-season.

New Orleans tight end Jeremy Shockey was hospitalized a week ago after experiencing “siezure-like symptoms”, but head coach Sean Payton says that his player was only dehydrated and was experience low blood sugar levels. Shockey played a crucial part in the Saints Super Bowl XLIV victory, catching a fourth quarter touchdown pass. The former New York Giant was cleared to practice on Thursday, but was held out of practice over precautionary back problems Shockey was experiencing. Shockey has been listed day-to-day. With 58 receptions and three touchdowns in 2009, Shockey looks to build on that success. The once-troubled star has fit in well in Sean Payton’s offense despite sharing his time with tight end David Thomas. The Saints open their season against the Minnesota Vikings on September 9th, 2010.

Some Brett Farve sentimentalists might have preferred seeing the 40-year-old have one more go at the NFL’s biggest game, but it’s hard to argue with the fact that the 44th Super Bowl is a football fan’s ideal match up. Not since 1993 has two #1 seed teams met in the Super Bowl. The Saints and Colts have been the two best teams in the NFL all season and deserve to be where they are. On one side you have the most accomplished quarterback in the NFL in Peyton Manning (some say the best QB ever) and the other you have the feel good story of the New Orleans Saints, a shinning light to the Louisiana city still rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina. To add further meat to the game’s back story Peyton’s father Archie Manning is one of the beloved Saints of all-time having played 10 years in the Big Easy during his playing career. Having reached their first Super Bowl in the organization’s 44-year history, the “Who Dat Nation” (as New Orleans fans call themselves) believe their Saints are a team of destiny. Colts fans would disagree as they’re hoping to see their boys bring hope a second Vince Lombardi Trophy in four years. No matter what happens in Miami on February 7th football fans should prepare themselves for one great game.