Your reaction to the Saints returning home
 

Hey, gang:

I posted this elsewhere on the Internet and CheramieIII invited me to do the same here.

This is Les East with the Baton Rouge Advocate. I am working on a story in reaction to the NFL announcing the Saints' return to New Orleans, and I can use your help. The official announcement comes at 2:15 today.

I'm looking for comments from serious Saints fans about what happens next after Tom Benson brings his team back to New Orleans, albeit kicking and screaming.

If you would like to be quoted in my story, you can reply to this post or email me directly at reportersroundtable@hotmail.com. Keep in mind, that if we use your comments, they will be printed and attributed to you. We will need to use you full name and not just your handle.

My story will have a fairly narrow focus, i.e. the dilemma so many Saints fans must find a way to resolve -- how do you demonstrate the passionate and loyal support necessary to prove the Saints belong in New Orleans long term, when doing so requires you to put money in the pocket of the person most determined to take the Saints away from New Orleans?

I welcome your thoughts on that issue.

Fire away!

Thanks,

Les East

I have been a Saints fan since 1967. I always have and always will love this team. Right now I feel like I did when John Mecom owner the team. Mr. Benson cares nothing about the fans of his team. All we are is dollars in his pocket. I have been known to drive to Baton Rouge from Texas to see a Saints game, knowing I had no place to stay. I will do it again. However I will not drive to San Antonio for a game. It's not home! New Orleans is home!

Joe S. Irvine

P.S. I tried to email this to you. Use it if you choose.
J.S.I

Benson has done everything he could to alienate the Saints' Louisiana fan base in order to fulfill his transparent desire to move the team. As a Saints fan and a Louisiana resident I am happy that the Saints will be returning to their undamaged and empty practice facility rather than continue to practice in parking lots this coming offseason. I am even more excited about seeing them play in the Superdome again. My biggest concern, however, is just what "deal" was hammered out in order to return the Saints to La. The prospect of this return being a short one year homecoming looms over everything that will be done and said from here on out and Saints fans for years have had to endure such too often.

BTW,

Guys, Les East is a writer for the Baton Rouge Advocate and has credentials approved and confirmed. Please welcome him to our board and join in conversation, and QA with him.

Les, welcome to the board!

Mark Clark
Editor@blackandgold.net

Real Nice .......

By The Way ........

That's like coming home , having dinner and going through the routine to say :

By the way , dear we won the lottery .

Front page post and proper acknowledgement is a must here ......

I am a lil' skeptical... In 2 short weeks, Benson goes from "New Orleans is unlivable" to ""Recently I met with NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and told him that I wanted the Saints to resume operations in our training and practice facility in Metairie," There has to be something else that's not being disclosed... either Benson was told to stay put one more year, or was being forced to move to Los Angeles, which is what would make sense to the NFL, financially speaking.

I have a short list of things that can hold my attention. The one constant on that list has always been the New Orleans Saints. Been a fan since 1978, but now reside in Texas. Benson played this scenario out to perfection, while we all sat, watched, and even referred to the guy as being, "insane." He's not insane, his main focus has been to see how bad he can piss the Lousiana fanbase off. How else can you explain the pricebreaks on tickets in San Antonio that you didn't see in Baton Rouge?
There are two choices of what I can do. Either continue watching from afar, as it all plays itself out, or, actively get involved and do what I can to help keep the franchise in New Orleans. People may view that as putting money into the pockets of someone who isn't deserving of it (which the fans really need to look past), I see it as a long term investment. If we sell out the dome next season, it would be hard to argue moving the franchise, which is exactly what Benson doesn't want. So I'm all for that :D I just hope that others, like myself, will come to their senses, and follow suit. I fear a New Orleans without the Saints franchise, I really do. Think about it- Benson is old, his time on this earth is waning- but the franchise will live on.
There will be some seats set aside for me, regardless of whether or not I am actually there for the game. All I ask is that what of my local homeboys puts a sign up that reads, "Reserved for BlackandBlue and Guests"

Ummm....did someone get their peepee stuck in the hole in the wall again? What's with the snide comments, bro?

I have no doubt Benson is being forced to stay in New Orleans, and he will still use any excuse he can to back up his argument that he should be able to move this team. So while I am happy they will be here for the 06-07 season. I can only wonder what that greedy Troll has up his sleeve for the following year.


SELL! BENSON! SELL!

I think it was harder than ever to sell tickets in Baton Rouge this season because people felt like they were putting money in the pocket of someone who doesn't deserve it. This offseason and next fall will be very interesting. I think Benson has a certain unlikable quality about him, he'll say anything for the almighty dollar.

I believe he intentionally pitted Louisiana against San Antonio so SA would take it seriously and think they had a shot at getting the team so they could sell tickets. I think putting Louisiana out of the mix fired up the fan base and hurt them all at once. Watch Benson make nice this offseason so he can sell some tickets because he "loves" New Orleans again.

And what about his leverage with the State in post Katrina Louisiana? He has more power than he had before. I don't like his tactics but he does play hard ball. He may end up back in Louisiana with a renovated Dome within the next 2 seasons. Before Katrina we had a governor and governement that could hardly honor a contract made by the State, and who openly campaigned that she didn't care whether the Saints stayed or not. That's not the tone she has now. Maybe he's a better businessman than I thought, or maybe not.

WHOAOAOAAOAOAO YEAHAHAHAHA WE GOT EM BACK !!!!!!!!

This has made my day Saints are coming back !!!!

I would be alot happier if they would have said benson sold the team and they will remain in new orleans 4 ever ~~~!!!!!! but oh well i cant wait we will have lienart !!!! YEAH GOOOO SAINTS !!!!! we will have a healthy deuce ....for how long..... hahhahahaha whoaoao yeah gooo saints !!!!!!!!

Great News!
 

This is all I Really wanted for Christmas! So it's five days late... at least I got what I wanted.

It's going to be hard to overcome the hatred toward Benson, but I'll do my best.
I guess I can still hate him And buy tickets too. Buying tickets is the only way we'll keep our team.

Hey Les, thanks alot for visiting. Some of the faithful posters actually know what they're talking about here. Please visit often. These guys and gals are never at a loss for words. No here's my take:

This will be a very important part of the recovery not only of New Orleans but the entire region. No where else in the world are fans as rabid and loyal as Saints Fans. Even when we were the aint's people still showed up, albeit with bags on their heads, but we still showed up. Having over 30 consecutive home sell outs over the last several years should speak volumes as to the support the Saints have, maybe not the entire organization though and yes I am talking about the Count and his merry band of bloodsucking politicians from San Antonio.

I really believe if you had a game next week in the Superdome it would be a sell out inspite of Benson. I just bought a Saints blanket the other day and not just because I was cold but because it was from my team, the Saints. A team we have all cried for, laughed at and reveled in a very few accomplishments. I will continue to purchase merchandise, tickets or anything else I can to show my support.

The Saints returning to New Orleans means "hope" to alot of people, faith if you will and wasn't that the what this season was supposed to be about anyway. Faith and hope are returning to New Orleans and along with the Saints alot more citizens and businesses that believe the samething, you have to have "faith".

Once again Les, thanks for visiting and hope to see you soon and often. Thank you for giving our members a way to speak out concerning the team we love.

Welcome aboard!!!

dear mr. benson.

I was watching the first game at tulane stadium while you were probably trying to hard sell a customer on a used car lot..........I've been there, done that, and would like to see anything you say put in writing, backed up by attorneys, (our own) and signed in blood, (your own) so we have no misunderstandings................thanks, a loyal and original saints fan..........

I'm not going to post my opinion on the matter because I believe I may be a bit late. However, I will comment on the choice of a writer coming here and asking for a response from true Saints fans. I think it's a great move, and I'm glad that the media world is starting to pay attention to what is going down on this board. Mark Clark has repeated broadcasts over the radio airwaves and is bringing great publicity to this site. I'm digging every minute of it.

I'm glad the word is getting out about this board. It's a great place to find opinions and discussions of true, intelligent, well-rounded fans of the New Orleans Saints.

my immediate thoughts concerning the saints-

i have been a fan since age 13 watching john gilliam return that first kickoff. i can recite the littany of fumbles that has been this franchise. my support for them has never wavered. a few times when living in a different area of the country i attempted to break away from the saints as a fan. that meant football altogether, i always stumbled back like an alcoholic. i quit trying and found peace as a supporter like a chicago cubs fan has to have... love dem bumbling bums. hey, the red sox and white sox won world championships after 80+ years, maybe i'll see one in nawlins before i die.

i bought the baton rouge ticket packages even though i couldn't make any of the games. i can only hope there is some sense of higher justice in the nfl ranks that can keep the saints here. anyone who makes only a cursory investigation into the situation can see that benson has no sense of community in NO and has done all that he can to move the team. i believe only the nfl and the other owners pressure have kept them here this long. i applaud benson for buying the franchise and keeping it in NO. but isn't it enough to to see your 80million dollar investment turn into a minimum of 500million, and possible a billion dollars? must you extort more money from one of the poorest and uneducated states in the union? wouldn't a better legacy be the man who made the saints louisiana's permanently without a doubt? move them and your effigy will be burned in the streets and your name cursed by my grandchildren.

i hope they will stay. i will hope until the day they would leave. there can be no more san antonio saints though than there could be las vegas cubs. the saints are a part of the fabric of new orleans. perhaps the old buzzard will croak and things might improve with his granddaughter at the helm. perhaps terry bradshaw as an owner could infuse some positive life from the top rather than dread. perhaps another new owner named could see the profit and the public relations coup of buying your own stadium and investing in rather than extorting from your homebase. no one knows. i just keep hoping after 38 years. maybe matt leinhart or vince young next spring will be the catalyst to bring the committed hearty fans of this franchise what they deserve. i'll be there whether they do or don't.

No comment...

F.J. Rodrigue

I LOVE B AND G!!!!!
Mark does a great job and should be hailed......
Mark........any relation to Makers Mark?
I love me some me.......
but seriously...bout time the site got props........GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!

:lol:

Would that be my first snide remark here at B and G , Bubba Gump ???

A proper introduction would be fitting here at B and G don't you think ?? A little red carpet treatment is a good thing ....

:love:

I have been a die hard New Orleans Saints Fan as far back as I can remember. It warmed my heart that they would be returning to New Orleans. The NFL has apparently decided to be a part of the solution to the problems facing the Gulf Coast, for that I applaud them and especially the Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. It gives me one more ounce of hope in my heart of hearts that one day I am going to watch the Black and Gold in the Super Bowl. I was not happy with rumors that Mr. Benson would try to move the team, but I understood that he had a large assest and investment to protect. I think that put in the same situation any sane person would have found the ideaq of moving the team appealing. Thank to all those responsible for coming to this agreement.

Hey Les,

Thanks for giving a big section of fans some attention to the ongoing Saints drama.

Personally, I felt Tom Benson's half-hearted effort at his press conference did nothing to further my hope that the Saints in New Orleans are in his long term plans. In fact, I felt his press conference was more of an opportunity for Benson to take subtle shots at fans and the media that have been critizing him for the past three months. I found his attempt to show empathy and support for New Orleans pathetic and obviously transparent, and did nothing but solidify my feelings that the last thing in the world he wants is to operate in New Orleans ever again.

So what is next, you ask? While fans shouldn't have to put up with sub-par performances and questionable personnel decisions for 39 years, if the fans of the Saints want to continue to have an NFL franchise in the city of New Orleans to complain about, the only thing they can do is buy tickets. The NFL has successfully put the ball in the city's court, and despite the hate or discontent many diehards have for Tom Benson, I'd rather hate him in New Orleans than not care about him in San Antonio. Benson doesn't have to sell, and by all accounts has no plans to sell. To the average fan, or even a corporate fan, it makes more sense to cash in by selling the team, and right off into the sunset. And for a man that cares more about the bottom line than anything else, it can be a bit puzzling since he hasn't cashed his chips in. So with that said, Benson's ego obviously is a factor in everything that is going on. The best way fans can show their dislike for Benson is to show up in droves and prove him wrong that New Orleans cannot support an NFL franchise. I know it's hard, but it has to be done or Benson wins. Never mind that Benson will make money off ticket sales. The man is already rich beyond most wildest dreams. Not showing up isn't going to cause Benson to go bankrupt. Showing up in masses, supporting the franchise financially, and proving him wrong again, however may be enough for him to rethink his position, as well as add more pressure to the NFL to keep this team where it belongs...in New Orleans.

Scott Balot
Mandeville, La

I would like to give a big shout out to CheramieIII for bringing Les to our site. Les thanks for asking for our opinions and welcome aboard.

Thanks for the props boy. MordorIV is my son and welcome aboard. See I got someone else to come to the site guys.

I feel this is a great addition to the site , great job Cheramie III .

Looking forward to some of the thoughts from our latest guest .

Now if we can just get some updated smileys and BnB would get a real avatar we would be top shelf .....:08:

I'm happy the Saints are returning next year. What true Saints fan wouldn't? However, I'm not going to get overly excited about it. Just for the fact that we don't know what is going to happen the next season or the season after that, and so on and so forth. I'm normally an optimist, but in the plight of the Saints this season, I can't help but be a "glass half empty" type of guy. I will honestly not be fully satisfied about the team playing in New Orleans until the team is COMPLETELY out of the control of Tom Benson, and in the hands of someone who wants the franchise here. The state of Louisiana has been kicked in the teeth enough, wouldn't you think?

William Kelley
Ruston, Louisiana

Yes, thanks for the help, CheramieIII.

Love the new av, D. :lolup:

Hey D, I like the new avatar too but you got to get rid of your picture! Thanks Cheramie for inviting Les to join us. And last but not least welcome MORDORIV.

Like some here, I remember the first year and Tulane Stadium. I have always been a Saints fan and will go to my grave as a Saints fan. However, today I have little respect for the current owner, the coaching staff, and some of the players.

The current owner has a right to make a profit and has leverage his access to the media and the city of San Antonio to do just that...attempt to make MORE money. Returning to Louisiana is the right thing to do for the Saints, so why did the owner do everything in his power to create an environment whereas his fan base dislikes him as much as they do FEMA during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that ravaged the Gulf Coast? God only knows what goes on in his feeble mind, but my thinkiing is first and foremost it has to be GREED!

One of the major factors that will return the fan base to New Orleans will be for the Saints to create a winning environment on the field in New Orleans. His recent announcement acknowledges the Saints will return to Louisiana and New Orleans. Unfortunately, the owner has no intentions of creating a winning tradition. If he did, he would have already taken corrective action with the pityfull showinig of current personnel in the front office, coaching staff, and the less than acceptable commitment to football by SOME of the SAINTS players.

It is said the only thing constant in life is CHANGE. Well, if true, then CHANGE is required with the Saints. Let's start with the easy ones, replace the head coach, replace the coaching staff, replace the players who have less than required desire to play for the Saints, and yes, last but not least...find a new OWNER who will give the fan base what they deserve...RESPECT and a team to be proud of.

The Saints do not need any new PROJECT players, they need IMPACT players on the field if they are to begin the jouney to building a winning tradition. Unfortunately, the owner has GREED as his top priority, and the current front office and coaching staff have proven over time they could not pick IMPACT palyers if their lives depended on it! I regret the fact that the Saints will have had such a dismal season as to have one of the top 3 draft picks in 2006. For not only will we, as Saints fans, have lived through another losing season, but we have no hope that the high draft choice the Saints will receive next year be an IMPACT player that is needed.

In my humble opinion, the Saints should not be given anything by the NFL, Louisiana, and/or their fan base. They should earn IT. Maybe then the Saints will once again learn what is important...FAN RESPECT.

Thanks for the welcome Joe. It will take me sometime to get into the flow of the board. My dad is a rabid fan and has been for as long as I can remember, kinda turned me into one. I lived in New Orleans breifly after I was born and hope to make it back someday soon. The board looks great and looking forward to a long and lasting relationship with all of you.

What's wrong with my pic, Joe? It doesn't just "CRACK" you up? :moon: