Disclaimer: I understand that all of this is insignificant in the face of the overwhelming tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, and that the win/loss record of a professional sports team is certainly not the most important topic of discussion at this point.
But this is a unique situation from a sports standpoint. How will the Saints react? They were already a very inconsistent team... I mean, the talent has always been there, but they've never played with heart and consistency. They have a great running back, a good quarterback, excellent receivers, a strong defensive line... they have all the pieces to go all the way, frankly, but how will this tragedy effect them? Will they pull together and unite behind the region to dominate the division? Will they struggle as the players try to deal with the deaily heartache and the mass chaos? Or will they muddle somewhere in the middle?
chrisih8u
09-05-05, 12:13 PM
Rotoworld:
WDSU in New Orleans reports that the Saints will play their home games this season in San Antonio and will not refund ticket holders in New Orleans.
I heard that this might be a permanent move. Kind of sucks that no refunds will be given, especially how ticket holders might need the money now.
Mad Dawg
09-05-05, 01:45 PM
I think it's 8-8. My money was on that before the Hurricane. They still have a questionable LB core, so even with their slightly improved defensive backfield, I think they are still going to struggle on that side of the ball. The O line should be better than ever, which can only be great for McAllister. Brooks is Dr Jekyll, and Donte Stallworth has still not proven that he can consistently catch the ball. Personally, I think the loss of Jerome Pathon, who was completely underrated during his time in NO, and Boo Williams (to injury) is going to have a pretty severe impact on the passing game.
As for no refunds, in the face of all of this suffering and the outpooring of support both in the States and abroad, Tom Benson is a piece of shit. He's going to have ticket revenues for a 32 game season. Plus, the Saints will never be back in New Orleans.
NCMojo
09-05-05, 02:05 PM
One thing that this whole discussion hinges on is the coaching ability of Jim Haslett. In the hands of a good coach, like Parcells or Fox or Belichek, this whole disaster could be a realy rallying point -- sort of like the ultimate Ewing Theory. What the team is really lacking is dedication, and if Aaron Brooks can maintain his focus, and if the linebackers and linemen all do their jobs...
Then again, any time that a whole discussion hinges on the coaching ability of Jim Haslett...
Mad Dawg
09-05-05, 02:12 PM
Then again, any time that a whole discussion hinges on the coaching ability of Jim Haslett...
Yipe!
Maxflier
09-05-05, 02:15 PM
How can they not refund the season ticket holders? Wouldn't that basically be stealing, since they are not getting what they paid for?
As for the Saints, i think they will be mediocre as always.
DVDHO
09-05-05, 03:41 PM
4-12 is what I picked,there division is going to be better then last year but I dont think this team will be with what has happened,some of those players are going to lose family members that have yet to be found and im thinking football will not be on there mind's this year,plus they will be playing 16 road games reguardless of where they play.
IMO the NFL should award the saints the #1 pick no matter there record,they didnt ask for this to happen and its not there fault.
Canadian Bacon
09-05-05, 03:56 PM
4-12 is whtI voted for but I say 3-13 I doubt any one could regroup in ~2 weeks
RoyalTea
09-05-05, 10:13 PM
ted koppel just did an update during the FSU-Miami game and suggested that the Superdome might have to come down.
twikoff
09-05-05, 10:35 PM
saints first game has been moved to monday night starting at 7:30
will air on nbc until the scheduled monday night game starts at 9.. then the saints/giants will go to espn
wildcatlh
09-05-05, 10:42 PM
saints first game has been moved to monday night starting at 7:30
will air on nbc until the scheduled monday night game starts at 9.. then the saints/giants will go to espn
clarification... their first game is still next Sunday. Their first home game (originally scheduled for Sunday 9/18) will be Monday 9/19 (in New Jersey).
Maxflier
09-05-05, 10:52 PM
So i guess the Saints fans in other parts of the state don't have to worry about any blackouts this season.
The Cow
09-05-05, 10:56 PM
clarification... their first game is still next Sunday. Their first home game (originally scheduled for Sunday 9/18) will be Monday 9/19 (in New Jersey).
And the Giants get 9 home games this year. Go commish! :rolleyes:
twikoff
09-05-05, 11:08 PM
And the Giants get 9 home games this year. Go commish! :rolleyes:
may turn out that everyone who was suppose to play at NO, gets an extra home game this year
wildcatlh
09-05-05, 11:19 PM
may turn out that everyone who was suppose to play at NO, gets an extra home game this year
Looks from all indications that starting with the second home game they'll be playing in San Antonio.
And it's pretty obvious they're never going back to play in New Orleans.
twikoff
09-05-05, 11:51 PM
has there been any talk about the future of the team?
i know some other cities would be glad to take them over....
brainee
09-06-05, 01:48 AM
I went with 4-12. Like the OP mentioned, the Saints have always seemed to be an easily distracted team, playing below their ability level. I'm expecting a complete collapse. Granted, it would be a great story for the Saints to play well, but I don't think these guys are up to it.
Mad Dawg
09-06-05, 02:07 AM
has there been any talk about the future of the team?
i know some other cities would be glad to take them over....
The NFL says that it isn't the time to be talking about the future of the Saints. What they mean is that it isn't the time for the media to be talking. I will guarantee you that Tom Benson, Paul Tagliabue, and some folks with cash are going to be talking their asses off if they aren't already. Louisiana wouldn't give him a new stadium before the disaster, and they won't be able to now even if the dome is leveled. He's out of there.
BigDan
09-06-05, 11:48 PM
Well, if Gov. Blanco is saying the Dome is going to have to come down, the Saints aren't really going to have any choice but to leave New Orleans for good.
I just don't think any team can overcome what they're going to be dealing with this season. From concern about the devastation of their home city to having to play at least one "home game" in the visitor's stadium to potentially training in one city (San Antonio) and playing some "home" games in another (Baton Rouge, potentially) to all the questions that are going to circle around this franchise about a permanent move to who knows where.
It's just too much to overcome. I predict total collapse, personally.
The Cow
09-06-05, 11:57 PM
I predict total collapse, personally.
So you predict a normal year -wink-
Mad Dawg
09-07-05, 12:03 AM
So you predict a normal year -wink-
:mad:
:(
cliffzig
09-07-05, 01:58 PM
San Antonio has been waiting for an NFL team for a long time. We are a small media market, but a top 10 city population wise. We have a proven rabid fanbase in the San Antonio Spurs, and I firmly believe that we would welcome and embrace an NFL team.
I say just move 'em here.
The San Antonio Saints. Sounds pretty good, eh?
moorehed
09-07-05, 02:19 PM
drive to houston you greedy bastards.
NCMojo
09-07-05, 04:09 PM
I think Los Angeles would be the next logical choice. The Saints were already talking about moving there anyway.
BUT DON"T FORGET -- it's New Orleans' turn to win the NFC South.
2002 -- Tampa Bay
2003 -- Carolina
2004 -- Atlanta
2005 -- ?????
flyinfreak
09-07-05, 04:58 PM
They may not be playing in New Orleans for a long time..if ever...send them to LA
mlemmond
09-07-05, 05:06 PM
I say they play in LSU's stadium this year and 4-12 sounds about right.
As far as the future goes the NFL has a hard on for LA but I think Las Vegas would also make a nice place for a team.
BigDan
09-07-05, 11:09 PM
I think Los Angeles would be the next logical choice. The Saints were already talking about moving there anyway.
If Benson is willing to spend the money that it's going to take to move to Los Angeles, he should just build a new stadium in New Orleans himself.
From a League standpoint, it makes sense to go to Los Angeles, but from a single team perspective, the picking a relocation city that requires a large upfront payment with no guarantees may not be any better than staying put (or going to a smaller market that's offering incentives).
Jericho
09-07-05, 11:30 PM
Well, before the hurricane I had them finishing fourth in the division, so I'm not really changing anything. I believe the division is strong and even Tampa can be a .500 team. So I'm not sure how much the team will suffer.
On a side note, how does the no refund for tickets work? That suggests that any Saints ticketholder should be able to attend any Saints "home" game for free using their current tickets. Not only is this difficult in using tickets in different stadiums, it would prevent the other stadiums from selling new tickets (or at least whatever portion of tickets that were already bought). Actually that might not be a bad thing if the Saints are playing in New York (like next week). If no one's in the stands, its less of a dissadvantage. Somehow I don't see that happening, however.
ChiTownAbs, Inc
09-07-05, 11:30 PM
Rotoworld:
WDSU in New Orleans reports that the Saints will play their home games this season in San Antonio and will not refund ticket holders in New Orleans.
That so cannot happen. They are not delivering a product.
Well, the Saints never delivered for 20+ years, but that's another story.
Jericho
09-08-05, 04:35 PM
That so cannot happen. They are not delivering a product.
Well, the Saints never delivered for 20+ years, but that's another story.
They're delivering a product, except it's 8-9 hours farther away now. I would assume if you bothered to actually show up, they'd have to honor your ticket.
BigDan
09-08-05, 10:52 PM
There may very well be a force majeure clause in the season ticket agreement that says that if a game is cancelled due to acts of God or other such events beyond the team's control, no refund will be given.
I doubt a final decision has been made on the fate of the ticket holders, though.
Mad Dawg
09-08-05, 11:39 PM
If Benson is willing to spend the money that it's going to take to move to Los Angeles, he should just build a new stadium in New Orleans himself.
Actually, Benson claims to have potential buyers. And, if I'm not mistaken, he has thrown around a figure of $1B. Which is why Lousiana laughed him out of a new stadium.
BigDan
09-09-05, 12:05 AM
If he wants to sell, then he should sell and somebody else can pony up $1.3 billion or more to move the Saints to Los Angeles. Of course, the last time there were serious bidders for an NFL franchise for Los Angeles, none of them came close to offering that figure. If they had, there'd be an NFL team playing in Los Angeles today and we'd be talking about the Saints possibly moving to Houston.
He doesn't seem all that eager to sell, though, and if he wants to keep the team, Los Angeles probably isn't his best option simply because it will cost so much to go there. He likely could've gotten a new stadium built in New Orleans if he'd have been willing to pony up the money its going to take to get to Los Angeles.
It's a different deal now, of course, since the city itself has changed so much. But it appears that Benson wants to keep the Saints, and if he ends up moving them, it's likely to be to a place other than Los Angeles.
cliffzig
09-09-05, 12:09 AM
So San Antonio doesn't even have a chance. :(
BigDan
09-09-05, 12:16 AM
San Antonio may have the best chance, actually, assuming Benson wants to keep the team.
BigDan
09-14-05, 11:31 PM
Apparently, the Saints aren't giving refunds to season ticket holders. The San Antonio Express-News is reporting that 32,000 tickets for each of the games in San Antonio are being held for regular season ticket holders until ten days before each game.
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