Pack Mentality Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 On ESPN they've been saying LSU's stadium in Baton Rouge and the Alamodome in San Antonio are the two most likely temporary homes for the Saints. However with their home opener against Eli Manning and the Giants, I'm guessing there may be some support for holding at least that game at Ole Miss (Manning's alma mater). And finally, I can't help but wonder if Katrina may not end up pushing the Saints out of New Orleans for good. Even long before the hurricane the Saints have been considered one of the most likely teams to eventually end up in Los Angeles, and the NFL by all accounts remains hell-bent on re-establishing a presence in L.A. ASAP. The cynic in me strongly suspects that Katrina will turn out to be just the excuse the Saints and the NFL are looking for to move from hurricane territory to, well, earthquake territory. (As if the team itself wasn't a disaster to begin with...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 I say let them play at Tulane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 And finally, I can't help but wonder if Katrina may not end up pushing the Saints out of New Orleans for good. Even long before the hurricane the Saints have been considered one of the most likely teams to eventually end up in Los Angeles, and the NFL by all accounts remains hell-bent on re-establishing a presence in L.A. ASAP. The cynic in me strongly suspects that Katrina will turn out to be just the excuse the Saints and the NFL are looking for to move from hurricane territory to, well, earthquake territory. (As if the team itself wasn't a disaster to begin with...) 958709[/snapback] I think the NFL might face a pretty severe backlash if they bailed on New Orleans right now and not just from people who are from New Orleans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pack Mentality Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 (edited) I say let them play at Tulane. 958742[/snapback] Um... Tulane plays at the Superdome too. They used to have their own stadium (in fact it hosted a few Super Bowls before the dome was built) but not anymore. I think the NFL might face a pretty severe backlash if they bailed on New Orleans right now and not just from people who are from New Orleans. 958752[/snapback] Given the scope of the devastation, in the end the Saints (and for that matter the Hornets) may not have much of a choice, backlash or no. The local infrastructure, the local economy and hundreds of thousands of homes in the area will have to be rebuilt almost from scratch. That will take years, if not decades, and that's under the Katrina-sized assumption that the area doesn't get nailed by another hurricane in the interim. Expecting New Orleans to be able to continue to support NFL and NBA teams on top of all that is probably too much to ask, even if it is a priority to New Orleanders under the circumstances (another Katrina-sized assumption). My gut feeling is that the longer the Saints are physically unable to play, practice or conduct other team business in the New Orleans area, especially if it extends beyond this season, the more likely they are to start looking for a permanent home somewhere else, especially with L.A. still without a team. Edited August 31, 2005 by Pack Mentality Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turf Smurf Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 First, as much as I love football, it is absolutely the last thing I would be thinking about in terms of New Orleans. There are dead people floating all over the place you idiot! Beyond that, Los Angeles is the LAST place that would deserve a team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pack Mentality Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 First, as much as I love football, it is absolutely the last thing I would be thinking about in terms of New Orleans. There are dead people floating all over the place you idiot! Well, this is a football forum, and the Saints have to play somewhere. Beyond that, Los Angeles is the LAST place that would deserve a team. 958811[/snapback] Deserving a team has nothing to do with it. (Otherwise, half the teams in the National Hockey League wouldn't exist.) At least as far as Tags is concerned, it's all about getting more money in the next set of TV contracts. That's why he's so obsessed with putting another team in L.A. - it's the second-largest TV market in the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zia Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 well, leaving the insults outside would be a nice start here. and then on topic: you will be surprised how much money in how short time can be raised if big business (nfl in this case) is involved, even in a desaster area (even with bodies floating around as someone wrote very dramatically). california has 3 teams, you really think they will go all out on a LA team? there IS a reason verious teams left there or turned down offers..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Rock Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 This is a football forum, I was going to make the same topic. And I agree - this is the beginning of the end for the Saints. My prediction, they'll be the New Orleans Saints this year, and in 2006, because bailing any sooner would be a huge PR backlash. But by 2007, enough time will have passed and it will be clear that New Orleans is no longer a major city, and can no longer support a major league team - and don't forget, the Superdome was a dump BEFORE the disaster. I think the Saints would move REGARDLESS of whether there was a team in LA, but considering that there's a huge, perfect open location for a team.. I put the odds of this at 100%. And they won't be the Saints anymore. Too weird to have the fleur-de-lis anywhere but NO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 (edited) You all are forgetting that the city of New Orleans is making payments each year to the Saints in the amount of something like $13-20 million. It is part of the lease. I wonder if the city can afford such paments with the amount of work that will need to be done. . . Edited August 31, 2005 by CaptainHook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kansas State 2000 Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Houston has offered Reliant Stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msaint Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 (edited) Putting aside the obvious tragedy down there -- and, please, save the "you insensitive small thingie" comments because, as others have said, this is a FF forum after all and there are other places where we can express our sadness for the hurricane victims, financially and otherwise -- how do you think this will affect Saints players from a FF standpoint? Does it make you drop Deuce/Horn/Brooks a few slots, or at all? edit: Love the Huddle's censorship of male sex piano, "small thingie." Edit 2: and now "piano"...sheesh, what is this, Stalinist Russia? Edited August 31, 2005 by msaint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonehand Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Putting aside the obvious tragedy down there -- and, please, save the "you insensitive small thingie" comments because, as others have said, this is a FF forum after all and there are other places where we can express our sadness for the hurricane victims, financially and otherwise -- how do you think this will affect Saints players from a FF standpoint? Does it make you drop Deuce/Horn/Brooks a few slots, or at all? edit: Love the Huddle's censorship of male sex piano, "small thingie." Edit 2: and now "piano"...sheesh, what is this, Stalinist Russia? 959070[/snapback] What about the thought that it REALLY gives the Saints something to play for, representing their city? IMO, the Saints could go off, as they strive to inspire NO's healing & rebuilding process through their game play, the same way the Yankee's did in 2001. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msaint Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 What about the thought that it REALLY gives the Saints something to play for, representing their city? IMO, the Saints could go off, as they strive to inspire NO's healing & rebuilding process through their game play, the same way the Yankee's did in 2001. 959092[/snapback] Good point. Deuce running with the city of NO on his back, might be extra inspired, indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msaint Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 What sickens me down there are all the scumbag f'n looters they've been showing on the news, stealing sh*t from children's hospitals, Wal Mart (who, in a great humanitarian/PR move, was offering up free supplies anyway!), etc etc. Disgusting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junta Posted August 31, 2005 Author Share Posted August 31, 2005 i find it disturbing that they would even attempt to rebuild NO in the same place... that would be reeaaaaalllly dumb.... but i wonder if it was as dumb as this: anyone else know that just in june 2005-- president bush slashed funding for the army corps of engineers in new orleans who had the money earmarked to build and improve levees, floodwalls and pumping stations in St. Bernard, Orleans, Jefferson and St. Charles parishes??? oh- and never mind the fact that all the national guard who should be there saving the people floating dead in the water are over in iraq on some pet project of bush... sorry for the non-football response-- but somebody's gotta point it out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 (edited) i find it disturbing that they would even attempt to rebuild NO in the same place... that would be reeaaaaalllly dumb.... but i wonder if it was as dumb as this: anyone else know that just in june 2005-- president bush slashed funding for the army corps of engineers in new orleans who had the money earmarked to build and improve levees, floodwalls and pumping stations in St. Bernard, Orleans, Jefferson and St. Charles parishes??? oh- and never mind the fact that all the national guard who should be there saving the people floating dead in the water are over in iraq on some pet project of bush... sorry for the non-football response-- but somebody's gotta point it out.... 959153[/snapback] psst....there is a forum called The Tailgate used for non-football talk. Edited August 31, 2005 by Big John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nole47 Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 they will play at lsu. i really like duece this year and now I think he will be better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nole47 Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Baton Rouge, LSU may open doors to Saints By Glenn Guilbeau, Gannett News Service BATON ROUGE — LSU's Tiger Stadium is open for the New Orleans Saints, who may have been rendered homeless for the 2005 NFL season. The damage to the Superdome's roof may be the least of the Saints' concerns. By Gary Coronado, The Palm Beach Post via AP The Louisiana Superdome suffered roof damage from Hurricane Katrina on Monday, but more importantly, the hurricane-ravaged city may not be ready to host an NFL game on Sept. 18. The Saints, who are in Oakland for a preseason game Thursday and open the season on Sept. 11 at Carolina, are scheduled to open the home season on Sept. 18 at noon against the New York Giants, whose quarterback is New Orleans native Eli Manning. Saints owner Tom Benson is considering other cities for possible relocation as his team's Metairie, La., facility is also in a flood area. One possible site for future Saints home games is Tiger Stadium. Saints' next stop: San Antonio SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The Saints will head to San Antonio after Thursday night's exhibition game against the Raiders because most of New Orleans was flooded by Hurricane Katrina. The team, practicing this week in San Jose, will fly to Texas after their final preseason game to begin preparing for the season opener at Carolina on Sept. 11, team spokesman Nick Karl said. The Saints practiced in San Antonio last year when Hurricane Ivan threatened New Orleans. The team is still uncertain whether the Superdome will be ready for its home opener against the New York Giants on Sept. 18. Tens of thousands of refugees from the storm have been staying at the Superdome, but officials said Tuesday they would have to evacuate as flood water continues to rise. The storm ripped two holes in the curved roof of the building. Houston also offers to help HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans' stadium could be used for the New Orleans Saints' home opener if the hurricane-damaged Louisiana Superdome isn't available, stadium president and general manager Shea Guinn said Tuesday. Guinn offered Reliant Park as an option to the NFL, but hasn't heard back from the league. The Saints are supposed to play their home opener Sept. 18, the same date the Texans play the Pittsburgh Steelers at home. ''It would be a heck of a lot of work and a challenge but the circumstances are extraordinary. We would do everything we can to help,'' Guinn told Houston television station KRIV. Tens of thousands of refugees from Hurricane Katrina have been staying at the Superdome, but officials said Tuesday they would have to evacuate as flood water continues to rise. "If the Saints call, naturally I will consider taking their request to the Board of Supervisors," LSU athletic director Skip Bertman told the Gannett News Service on Tuesday. "Because they're our Saints, too, and we're all in this together. But obviously, I couldn't do anything without board action." Bertman, who has been critical of the Saints receiving incentive-free money from the state in the $12-to-$18-million range a year to help make ends meet, said as of yet he has not been contacted by the Saints. LSU postponed its scheduled Saturday season opener against North Texas indefinitely because the campus — located 87 miles northwest of New Orleans — has been designated by the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness as a major emergency evacuation center with its basketball arena and fieldhouse serving as medical triage units. The LSU Tigers plan to open the season at home on Sept. 10 against Arizona State. LSU has an open date on Sept. 17 so the stadium could be available to host the Saints-Giants game on Sept. 18 that is currently scheduled for the Superdome. "We'd have to arrange something as far as a rental agreement," Bertman said. "And it would have to work with the LSU football schedule. I'm not sure we could play football on a Saturday night and have it ready for Sunday afternoon." LSU, North Texas and Louisiana-Monroe officials are exploring postponing the North Texas-ULM game of Oct. 29 to Dec. 3 so LSU could play North Texas on Oct. 29 instead. LSU has an open date on Oct. 29. The Saints practiced at San Jose State Monday, preparing for a regular season fraught with uncertainty due to the havoc wreaked by Katrina. While members of the organization were confident their immediate families were out of danger before the team flew to the West Coast on Sunday afternoon, the powerful storm left them to wonder about the state of homes they left behind, whether they will be able to return to their practice facility in Metairie and when they can play at the damaged Superdome. "The biggest thing for this team," running back Deuce McAllister said in a phone interview, "is we're going to have to be resilient." The only certainty for New Orleans is that it will remain in San Jose until the Raiders game on Thursday night. "We don't have enough information to even make a guess at it," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said of the team's immediate future at the Superdome, adding that concerns extended beyond repairs to the site. Road conditions and power supply will be other key factors. "We certainly have not made any decisions," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. "We are staying in touch with the Saints and looking at possible options if the game has to be moved." Coaches and front office members were available to assist players in relocating loved ones once the decision was made Saturday to leave New Orleans. "Players' families, that was our first priority," said Saints spokesman Greg Bensel. "By the time we were wheels up on Sunday, the entire organization was out of harm's way, and the team was headed to San Jose." Bensel brought his wife, Jane, and his 16-month-old daughter, Kate, to the airport Saturday for a hurriedly booked flight to St. Louis. She is staying with her parents. Given the lack of phone service to New Orleans, the Bensels and others do not know what they will return to. "We don't know the extent of damage to our homes," Bensel said. "That's the most unsettling part." New Orleans coach Jim Haslett is allowing players to make private phone calls whenever they feel it is necessary while also urging them to concentrate on what they must do to perform well. Each day is critical for players battling to secure final roster spots. McAllister, an established star, said the helplessness of their circumstances makes it difficult to focus. "It's kind of hard," he said. "The start of practice was a bit slow for us. We were sluggish as a team. As practice went on, it picked up." Katrina's impact extended beyond the Saints. Thoughts of Washington Redskins safety Ryan Clark, who hails from Louisiana, were with his family. His father is a levee specialist, but the storm's severity forced his evacuation as well. "I talked to everybody, and they got out safely," Clark said. "The only thing I'm concerned about is their being able to get back to their homes, so I'd appreciate it if everybody would pray for them." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loaf Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 First, as much as I love football, it is absolutely the last thing I would be thinking about in terms of New Orleans. There are dead people floating all over the place you idiot! Beyond that, Los Angeles is the LAST place that would deserve a team. 958811[/snapback] I agree 100%. The last thing on my mind is how will Brooks do. I don't care if this is a football site. still pretty dam heartless and selfish to be thinking about... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junta Posted August 31, 2005 Author Share Posted August 31, 2005 I agree 100%. The last thing on my mind is how will Brooks do. I don't care if this is a football site. still pretty dam heartless and selfish to be thinking about... 959208[/snapback] pffft... gimme a break... now it is not politically correct to ask a question regarding where an nfl team will play after a deadly hurricane.... what has happened to people? i hope this hurricane provides the spark for the saints to win the division... as for loaf and all the other mindless posters who cant bare to even consider talking about these things- i say--- get a life of your own to worry about... plus-- if it is so heartless and selfish to be thinking about in this time of great national mourning-- why in the he*ll are you here surfing around for information on football??? get out there and go help in the big easy....... put your money where your mouth is.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo mama Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Houston has offered Reliant Stadium. 959005[/snapback] Atta boy, H-town. Having endured Tropical Storm Allison when I lived there, I can say with 100% confidence that the city and residents of Houston are perhaps more empathetic than most when it comes to this kind of devestation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowboutthemCowboys Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 pffft... gimme a break... now it is not politically correct to ask a question regarding where an nfl team will play after a deadly hurricane.... what has happened to people? i hope this hurricane provides the spark for the saints to win the division... as for loaf and all the other mindless posters who cant bare to even consider talking about these things- i say--- get a life of your own to worry about... plus-- if it is so heartless and selfish to be thinking about in this time of great national mourning-- why in the he*ll are you here surfing around for information on football??? get out there and go help in the big easy....... put your money where your mouth is.... 959396[/snapback] yeah.... what he said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godtomsatan Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 I think the NFL might face a pretty severe backlash if they bailed on New Orleans right now and not just from people who are from New Orleans. 958752[/snapback] I realize it's too soon to consider this stuff, but where are they going to play? Who is going to go to games? How will they get to the stadium? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junta Posted August 31, 2005 Author Share Posted August 31, 2005 I realize it's too soon to consider this stuff, but where are they going to play? Who is going to go to games? How will they get to the stadium? 959696[/snapback] why is it too soon to consider this stuff? are you hyper-politically correct too? or just placating those who are? the season starts within 2 weeks... why is this too soon to consider? they are considering how the lack of oil will effect our economy... is that a heartless thing to do? after 9-11 was it too soon to consider if sundays games would be played? jeeeez.... people get so phoney and sentimental... it is a dam.n tragedy- but do we stop being normal humans becasue of it? you raise some great points about travel and attendance... i think that they should let the city flood and relocate to a more rational place-- at least somewhere ABOVE sea level!!! how does this affect the saints? i hope they play like hell... but it certainly removes the home field advantage.... at least they will have a new national fan base-- and that is a good thing!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pack Mentality Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 (edited) You all are forgetting that the city of New Orleans is making payments each year to the Saints in the amount of something like $13-20 million. It is part of the lease. I wonder if the city can afford such paments with the amount of work that will need to be done. . . Actually I didn't forget this point, it was just one of too many factors to count that work against the viability of the Saints remaining in New Orleans long-term in the wake of Katrina. why is it too soon to consider this stuff? are you hyper-politically correct too? or just placating those who are? the season starts within 2 weeks... why is this too soon to consider? they are considering how the lack of oil will effect our economy... is that a heartless thing to do? <snip> people get so phoney and sentimental... it is a dam.n tragedy- but do we stop being normal humans becasue of it? you raise some great points about travel and attendance... i think that they should let the city flood and relocate to a more rational place-- at least somewhere ABOVE sea level!!! I completely agree with this. The only good reason to try to rebuild New Orleans at its present location is the city's historical significance and cultural heritage, but even the vast majority of that is pretty much toast now. Better to build a "Newer Orleans" on higher ground farther up the river, where at least they won't get swamped when the next hurricane comes through. Still another point is that if the city's sports teams do leave for good, they will hardly be alone. I'd imagine that many of the people and businesses who have had to evacuate New Orleans will ultimately just relocate permanently somewhere else, and I wouldn't blame any of them a d@mn bit for doing so. Indeed, just a few minutes ago on MSNBC someone predicted that many if not most of the Superdome refugees now being evacuated to Houston will end up just staying in Houston. The same goes for the Saints and Hornets. Obviously Houston isn't a long-term option for either of those teams, but San Antonio is for the Saints. And of course there's Los Angeles too. The minute the Saints start talking about permanent relocation, you can count on Tags doing everything in his power to steer them toward L.A. Edited August 31, 2005 by Pack Mentality Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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