4 Games in Baton Rouge, 3 in San Antonio
 

Saints to play four games in Baton Rouge, three in San Antonio

Monday, 1:15 p.m.

NFL commissioner Paul Taglaibue announced Monday that the hurricane-displaced New Orleans Saints would split their home games between Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge and the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The Saints will play four games in Tiger Stadium, starting with the Nick Saban-led Miami Dolphins on Oct. 30, the Chicago Bears on Nov. 6, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 4 and the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 18.

The Saints will play three games in the Alamodome, starting with the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 2, the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 16 and the Detroit Lions on Dec. 24.

The Saints' first home game, scheduled for Sunday at the Superdome against the New York Giants, already had been moved to Monday night at Giants Stadium. The Saints won their season opener Sunday at Carolina, 23-20.

Saints owner Tom Benson reiterated his commitment to the area.

"I don't want to leave Louisiana," he said after a press conference at Tiger Stadium.

http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tpsports/

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RE: 4 Games in Baton Rouge, 3 in San Antonio
 

I think that's fair. Baton Rouge still needs some time to clear out a bit from evacuees. Maybe another 6 weeks will help that problem. I still wish all the home divisional games were played at LSU, but I guess I can live with this.

Wow. The NFL sure is opportunistic. Saban in Baton Rouge for the Saints first LA game? That's a pretty good way to sell tickets. Not complaining, just sayin.

The league is all about the $$$. I'm just glad to see the Saints getting a chance to play in Louisiana. Good for the fans.

So, for those of you in the area....will there be 90K people at that game? I've never been, but it would be great to see the tiger fans come out in force to see Saban and root against him.

From Foxsports.com/AP...

The Saints, displaced when Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area and their Superdome home, will play the weekends of Oct. 30-31, Nov. 6-7, Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 17-19 on the campus of LSU in Baton Rouge. The San Antonio games will be on the weekends of Oct. 2-3, Oct. 16-17 and Dec. 24-26.

Specific days and starting times for those games have not been determined.

No decision was made on the site of potential Saints home playoff games this season.

Complete story...
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/4864740

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Holy cow. Saints vs Saban in Baton Rouge... never would've believe it. It's a dream come true. Wow.

We were the FOX game in atlanta on Sunday, the backdoor Monday nighter next week, and now this game will get some hype.

I swear this tragedy has really fueled the Saints national exposure (at quite a price). The fact that they are usually exciting to watch (for good and bad reasons) may really draw some of the random people towards them. Plus, everyone loves a good underdog story.

As the city rebuilds and the Saints figure out their future, we could really see a reinvented Saints franchise. (Alot of important people have to make good decisions and we all know how that goes.)

Yeah I am with you... who would have thought Saban vs the Saints in Tiger Stadium. 90,000 plus... its going to be load.

I want tickets to that game ..wow

I'm fairly pleased with this schedule. Atleast I'll be able to see some games. Still no word on when they'll be giving refunds?

Also, I hope all of these games will be played on Sunday. Not only did I scratch up $250 for season tickets, but I also took off Sundays which means 8 hours @ $7 less on my paycheck. For a struggling college student, thats huge.

However, the Saints can't adhere by my standards in every which way, so I'll have to take whatever they come up with. I'm ready to watch some football!

Benson said Saints season-ticket holders can use their tickets for the games in Baton Rouge and San Antonio, but beyond that ticket details are still to be determined. Benson said more ticket information will be announced today.

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From Baton Rouge Advocate...

http://www.2theadvocate.com/images/091305/18114_256.jpg

We wanted to make it one-thousand percent clear that the New Orleans Saints are committed to New Orleans and their fans," Tagliabue said. "The New Orleans Saints represent New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region and Mr. Benson and I both recognize that we have a great responsibility to the people of this state and of New Orleans and the region."

Benson, who has been tight-lipped since Katrina struck two weeks ago, spoke briefly with reporters before leaving Tiger Stadium.

"This is a good deal for us," Benson said. "I don't want to leave Louisiana. Otherwise, we wouldn't be playing four games here."

Saints coach Jim Haslett and many of his players expressed a desire to play in San Antonio because of the proximity to the players' families and the reduction in travel. But Tagliabue was adamant that as many games as possible be played as close to New Orleans as possible.

Tagliabue said Oct. 30 was "the appropriate time" for the first game because it allows sufficient time that the games won't interfere with recovery efforts and an adequate number of hotel rooms will be freed by departing evacuees and emergency personnel.

"The consensus was that by the end of October we could be comfortable with all the logistic issues," Tagliabue said. "That's why the balance was struck the way it was. The consensus first was that the priority in this city, in this part of the state had to continue to be recovery and rebuilding from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"That involved hundreds of challenges that are without precedent, not the least of which is LSU's challenge in accommodating 3,000 students from other institutions here on campus and giving them a continuing opportunity to complete and continue their education. As we looked ahead for the next two weeks and next month, it seemed to us that we should stay out of the way of those priorities being met."


Full story...

http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/...aints001.shtml


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Kewl im happy with that 4 at LSU i'll be there san antonio probly not but i will still be a rooting for them...... GOOOOOO SAINTS !!!! YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH !!!!