What did you think about San Antone?

[CanadianSaint]

Especially how it relates to what the Saints went through...I think their mayor was under handed, in his back dealings with Tom-I'm-gonna-loot-the-saints. I'm glad the team is headed back to NOLA.

[ATX]

Keeping the Saints in NO is the best thing for their team and city. Now, if we're having this discussion in say 3 or 4 years, I might have another answer.

[CanadianSaint]

I agree with both parts of the post. I think the NFL is giving the City time to see if they can support a team...

[ATX]

Yeah, I agree that's a good idea. It would be cruel to move em so soon.

[gwallaia]

The Saints belong in New Orleans. The people in San Antonio will just have to choose to cheer either for the Texans or the Cowboys.

[aj.]

When I think about SA, I think of cheese enchiladas and a margarita at Casa Rio, not the NFL.

[disaacks3]

Originally Posted by aj.

When I think about SA, I think of cheese enchiladas and a margarita at Casa Rio, not the NFL.

Now you got me thinking about Dick's Last Resort on the Riverwalk! :brickwall

I don't think Benson should run away like a theif in the night, but...

1) The Superdome has been a NASTY sub-standard facility for years, Katrina didn't help that situation any...unless the evacuees killed all the rats.

2) The population of NOLA hasn't nearly "bounced back" yet. The chances of seeing a packed stadium are pretty low and would require that a SIZEABLE % of the surrounding population be at the game.

[V Man]

Jones would never allow another NFL team in SA. With so many Cowboy fans in this town, SA could stand for South Arlington(sp).

[CanadianSaint]

Originally Posted by disaacks3

Now you got me thinking about Dick's Last Resort on the Riverwalk! :brickwall

I don't think Benson should run away like a theif in the night, but...

1) The Superdome has been a NASTY sub-standard facility for years, Katrina didn't help that situation any...unless the evacuees killed all the rats.

2) The population of NOLA hasn't nearly "bounced back" yet. The chances of seeing a packed stadium are pretty low and would require that a SIZEABLE % of the surrounding population be at the game.

Actually they are going to IMPROVE the superdome...

http://www.nbc5i.com/sports/5729817/detail.html

[aj.]

Originally Posted by disaacks3

Now you got me thinking about Dick's Last Resort on the Riverwalk! :brickwall

Just down the way from Casa Rio. Beer and brasierres.... One of the great tourist heckling venues I've ever seen. Much better than Pikes Place Market in Seattle.

The Alamodome is about as NFL ready as the Superdome in its current state.

[bigcarlos]

I doubt Benson makes any money in NO these next few years. He'll flirt with the idea of moving them again. Right now the commisioner seems like the NO hero, it might just be step one for the LA PLAN

[bigcarlos]

Originally Posted by aj.

The Alamodome is about as NFL ready as the Superdome in its current state.

i think you meant Astro not Alamo

[aj.]

No, I meant the Alamodome. In terms of a permanent venue for an NFL team it's lacking in many ways.

[CanadianSaint]

http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/5214670

They pulled the trigger on HAZ as well.

[MorKnolle]

Originally Posted by CanadianSaint

I agree with both parts of the post. I think the NFL is giving the City time to see if they can support a team...

I think the city has been given plenty enough time to show that it can support a team and it' has consistently been one of the worst teams in the NFL in terms of fan support and profitability. However, I think it would be somewhat cruel to move the Saints given what the team and city has gone through in the last 5 months, but I do think they are headed to Los Angeles within a couple years since the NFL has been looking to get a team back there (assuming they can agree to build a new stadium there) and the Saints had been one of the prime candidates before the hurricane mess. I also think the Saints might have some serious trouble retaining some of their free agents and bringing in new players into the team given their current situation, but now that they have the #2 pick they can draft Matt Leinart to replace Aaron Brooks as their QB and it appears that the location situation has stabilized for now, so maybe things will improve for them.

[CanadianSaint]

Originally Posted by MorKnolle

I think the city has been given plenty enough time to show that it can support a team and it's consistently one of the worst teams in the NFL in terms of fan support and profitability. However, I think it would be somewhat cruel to move the Saints given what the team and city has gone through in the last 5 months, but I do think they are headed to Los Angeles within a couple years since the NFL has been looking to get a team back there (assuming they can agree to build a new stadium there) and the Saints had been one of the prime candidates before the hurricane mess. I also think the Saints might have some serious trouble retaining some of their free agents and bringing in new players into the team given their current situation, but it looks like they have the #2 pick and can draft Matt Leinart to replace Aaron Brooks as their QB, so maybe things will improve for them.

They have been given concessions by the league to pay for free agents as well as to help retain current players. I think the great LA fear is one year away--unless we show the country that CAJUNS will RISE!!!!!!!!! When the Saints play the first game at the superdome, you will see MUCH support!!!

[MorKnolle]

Originally Posted by CanadianSaint

They have been given concessions by the league to pay for free agents as well as to help retain current players. I think the great LA fear is one year away--unless we show the country that CAJUNS will RISE!!!!!!!!! When the Saints play the first game at the superdome, you will see MUCH support!!!

I agree, and I think the Saints are one of the more storied teams in the league so it would be a shame to see them leave, although bringing a team or two back to LA would be good for the league. I'm not sure if New Orleans will be ready by August to show the kind of support that it will need to ensure the team stays there, although at the same time the league might keep the team there out of sympathy to the city and state of Louisiana. That is one of many situations that should be very interesting this offseason.

[Ranger]

I think Joe Horn said it best with his interview with ESPN when he said that New Orleans didn't want us, but San Antonio did and they were some of the best fans he has ever been around and they were so excited to just have them their and the fans treated them so well, but after they left New Orleans cried to have them back, so we will see.

[CanadianSaint]

I respectfully disagree with Joe. NOLA needs to recover, and the Saints and Matt L, can be part of it!!!

[ledzeppelin229]

The hardest thing for NO will be the economy. A lot of people are just trying to get jobs, rebuild their homes and communities, and get their lives back in order. Buying tickets to a football game isn't going to be too high on the list. I think after Benson loses some money, even if NO is expected to fully recover at some point, he will use it as an excuse to hightail it out of there. Likely to LA since the NFL might not block that one as much.