It's really hard to root against New Orleans

One of my favorite bloggers, Sara from News from NOLA, left me a comment after the Denver-New Orleans game congratulating me on the Broncos' victory.

I appreciated that, just as I appreciated watching the mighty Broncos get a 3-0 start on the season by pulling off another nail biter (they won 34-32 and the game pretty well went down to the wire). However, here's the problem -- it's just hard to root too hard against the Saints and I've felt that way since Hurricane Katrina came close to wiping that city off the map three years ago.

I like that city and respect the toughness of people like Sara who have remained there and have rebuilt. I'm as rabid a Broncos fan as you'll find, but it's almost impossible to work up the requisite dislike for the opponent when Denver is playing New Orleans.

Oh well.

Some of the highlights of the game were watching the continued maturation of quarterback Jay Cutler. We Arkansans know how good of a quarterback Cutler is -- he helped the Vanderbilt Commodores sneak past the Arkansas Razorbacks not that long ago. It's good to see him playing -- and doing well -- for a team I like.

Yes, Cutler did manage to throw an interception at about the worst time and give New Orleans a solid shot at pulling ahead of the Broncos, but the young quarterback also threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns. He spent most of the day throwing at Brandon Marshall, who caught 5 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown.

Sure, he made a mistake or two and struggles with running the ball, but I'm sure all of us Denver fans are hoping he'll emerge as the quarterback the Broncos have needed since the great John Elway retired.

It was also encouraging to watch a former Arkansas Razorback, rookie Peyton Hillis, make a little noise -- he returned to kickoffs for a total of 47 yards.

By the way, Denver should really trot out those orange home jerseys more often. It reminds me of how the team looked when I was a kid. Orange Crush forever, baby!

Meanwhile, the Saints are 1-2, but I can't imagine that will last for long. Quarterback Drew Brees was solid, passing for 421 yards and a touchdown. Running back Reggie Bush rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown and received for 75 yards and a touchdown.

New Orleans can score -- there's no doubt about that. That team ought to do well this year and I'm cheering for them.

Unless they play Denver, of course.

Meanwhile...

The primary components of the backfield that set all kinds of records for Arkansas last year is still performing well in the NFL. This weak, Dallas running back Felix Jones rushed for 60 years and scored a touchdown as the Cowboys beat the Green Bay Packers 27-16.

Another rookie, Darren McFadden, was quieter than normal this week -- only rushing for 42 yards on 14 carries for Oakland as the Raiders lost to the Buffalo Bills, 24-23. Maybe the Raiders should have gotten the ball to McFadden a few more times. But, I'm biased.

It's too bad Jones and McFadden chose to leave Arkansas early and enter the NFL draft. The struggling Hogs sure could use those two right now.