The Saints set out to build the running game from the ground up in training camp, and since then they’ve been nearly unstoppable.

Their three-headed rushing attack, like a triple shot of Bourbon, has left opposing defenders woozy. Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell combined for 2,106 yards -– 2,345 if you tack on the post-season.

Once a one-dimensional offense that relied solely on the finesse of veteran Drew Brees, the team now fields one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the league, which could give them an edge Sunday. The Colts’ defense allowed an average of 126.5 yards per game on the ground this season – 24th in the league.

“I think that all the running backs this year took it personally," said Bell, who, despite being listed third on the Saints’ depth chart, had the most carries this season with 172. "They were always talking about how we didn’t have the people in the room to get it done.

“We were seen as the type that’s a ‘finesse team’ and not as physical as most. So [our coaches] took it personal as well. In the off-season, they coordinated a lot of things to try to get the running game going.”

Now they dismantle defensive lines with their explosiveness. They spin to break free from tackles. They fly once in open space. Simply put – they’re electrifying.

“They’re hard to stop," remarked former NFL running back Ricky Watters, who has a Super Bowl ring of his own with the 49ers. "No one stopped them all year which is why they’re here in the Super Bowl.”

Watters commended the Saints’ committee system of running backs but feels the Saints need to ride

their hot back – Bush, the former USC star.

“If it was me, I’d go with Reggie Bush. I really think he’s ready to play. He’s been running downhill beautifully. There’s no east-west cuts – it’s north and south. He’s hitting it, he’s finishing his runs off very strong, and I’m looking forward to them using him more. I think if they use him more, it will give them more of an advantage.”

Bush posted an eye-popping 16.8 yards-per-carry average in the playoff win against Arizona, but much of the team’s success, offensively, has come from relying on Bell and Thomas as every-down backs, and keeping Bush fresh for punt returns, where he averaged 27.3 yards in the post-season.

“I like the fact that I’m spread around,” Bush said. “I’m put out at receiver. I’m doing the punt-return thing.

“At the same time we have Pierre Thomas who does a great job when he’s in there running the ball and constantly creating mismatches for defenses. We use that to the best of our ability and that helps us out so much more.”

“I like it to be balanced,” said Thomas, who led the Saints’ running backs with six touchdowns this season. “As a runner, you want to open up the passing game for your quarterback, because when [the offense] starts [focusing] on the passing game, it gives you time to make things happen in the run game.”

Hall of Famer and arguably one of the best running backs of all time, Barry Sanders, said the Saints have a little more balance to their offensive attack because they can run it, and that might be the difference Sunday.

“I think that you have to run the ball in this game," Sanders said. "It may come down to the team that runs the ball best is gonna win. We know that they have dynamic passing but you never know what’s going to take place in a game like this.”

Added Sanders, “You know that the Saints’ defense is keenly aware of the Colts’ passing attack and vice versa, so it may very well come down to the running game.”

-- JENNA LAINE
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