Saints--Giants game to be played in New York!!!
 

Giants-Saints game moved to Meadowlands
(Sept. 2, 2005) -- A statement from NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue:

Our nation has experienced an unprecedented natural disaster and we join everyone now in focusing our attention on the massive relief and recovery needs of the Gulf Coast region.

On the home schedule of the New Orleans Saints this season, we will move the site of the Saints' first home game, which had been scheduled for the Louisiana Superdome on September 18 against the New York Giants, to Giants Stadium on that same weekend. We are in the process of working out the specific arrangements, including the day and kickoff time of the game and plans for television coverage. Information on tickets will be announced by the Giants within a few days.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8798023

RE: Saints--Giants game to be played in New York!!!
 

That's hardly fair. To make the team play in a hostile environment and give the Giants the home crowd. This is just about the worst case scenario...a choice made not out of a sense of fairness, but obviously out of the NFL's enslavement to the almighty dollar.

RE: Saints--Giants game to be played in New York!!!
 

I also don't like the idea but I am happy it is not in a state that will be whisper in Benson ears. I know it is inconsiderate to make this statement but it is hard for me to believe the saints will not be moving to another state. I just don't believe Benson will go in his own pocket next year when the state will not be able to make their next year payment. Art Modell move over the benson boogie is on his way. I will feel alot better if Benson can make a statement to insure us that he want be sneaking out in the middle of the night.

RE: Saints--Giants game to be played in New York!!!
 

Are you kidding me? What an absolute insult! This is a spit in the face to every Saint fan in Louisiana. How can they do this? New Orleans took a hit and now our entire state can't watch our own team play? Ludicrous!

Paul Tagliabue is without-a-doubt THE WORST commissioner of any organization in history!

This makes me sick.

RE: Saints--Giants game to be played in New York!!!
 

That previous post doesn't even begin to explain my outrage.

I payed for SEASON TICKETS! I won't even be able to see the games I payed for? What kind of rediculous filth is this? Even if we get a refund for purchasing the tickets, there's nothing more insulting to me than telling me I can't watch my own team play. Yes, MY OWN TEAM. I monetarily contribute to this team as do nearly ever citizen in this state.

How can we not reserver the right to see our own team play? A game in Houston was far, but it was fine. A passionate Saints fan would be more than willing to travel to Houston to watch his/her team play. However, moving the game to New York is completely not fair. For starters, New York gets an extra home game!

Besides, who in New York wants to see the underachieving Saints play anyways? I can't believe we're getting screwed in this. Why would they do this to Saints' fans? As if we haven't indured enough. If the game was in Louisiana, it would bring more business in the area stimulating the economy. Having the game in New York does NOTHING for Louisiana economy. Only a "portion" of the money from the game is going to help with the hurricane situation.

This is way too much for me. As long as I've been a fan of the NFL, I have never heard a story with Paul Tagliabue's name mentioned and agreed with his decisions. This guy is the absolute worst. How can anyone support this?

My gut reaction was the same as probably everyone's here. Why didn't they just put the game in an EMPTY Tiger stadium? What possible rationale could there be not to do that?

If the tickets are offered to Saints fans before they are offered to the Giants season ticket holders, then I don't have a problem with it being in Giants Stadium. That being said, I live 50 miles from that venue and I'll be first in line for a ticket.

I know that the automated services can block tickets being sold to certain area codes, however, online purchases may be more difficult to corral.

"There are many reasons for this decision, including recognizing that the overwhelming priority for public and private resources in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region in the weeks ahead must be the essential needs of the public and the restoration of the area’s infrastructure."

"With the support of Giants fans and others in the New Jersey/New York area, this Saints-Giants game will be presented with elements that will highlight and contribute to the national relief effort. The Saints and Giants will donate a portion of the gate proceeds from the game to Hurricane Katrina relief. "

- - NFL, Paul Tagliabue


8)

For a change, I think Peter King has a point. Putting the Saints in the largest media outlet in the world on a Monday night can put Louisiana front and center with the NFL. I would prefer to see the Saints play in Baton Rouge myself, but it does make some sense.

I don't think season ticket holders should get stiffed though. Depending on where the Saints go this season, I think the league should at least give season ticket holders some sort of refund.

The situation with the rest of the Saints games is arguably a bad one. Although the situation with the State of Louisiana and its citizens is far worst. Many questions come to my mind as I think of the future of the organization...such as, will this make it easier for the Saints to move to another location (out of state)? We all know the governor already has questioned whether the state can afford to pay the Saints organization its due money on a yearly basis--which leads to the question of how this devistation will even further limit its ability to pay its portion of the contract. LSU has already questioned how they could support the home games on Sunday after playing its own games on Saturday and stated it would not be probable. And finally with the Saints homesteading in San Antonio, will this make it even more probable that the Saints will permenantly move into town? Lots of questions to answer but we all know--you gotta have faith...

All sorts of thoughts go through my mind relating to ticket holders. The complexity of just that single issue must be mind-boggling to the Saints organization. Host games in Baton Rouge and honor those tickets? Expect ticket holders to drive to San Antonio?

Refund? I'm not a season ticket owner. But if I were, I'd have no problem calling the Saints ticket office and tellin' them my refund should be donated to relief of those in need.


8)

You've asked the question that is on many fan's minds. The answer, especially concerning San Antonio, is yes. The governor certainly has more immediate concerns. I have no idea how Benson's mind is working, post Katrina. At some point the Saints future will be addressed. I can say the Saints will be away for a while. My hopes are Benson will consider the team staying in New Orleans a part of re-building a great city.

8)

What do I know?

I am really unhappy with the game in NY. I hearthe national television and all that but, if we must, how anbout the game on NEUTRAL ground.

Maybe, maybe the national television idea in large markey NY, guaranteeing a sellout of NY fans may focus the plight of LA, MS et al. But is that what the "ordinary" television fan will think; especially if the Saints flunk?

There are other mega-large markets that could take the game. At least a NEUTRAL ground gives those Saints fans who can make a chance of getting to the game. After all the game is supposedly a home game.

maybe for best
 

[Before I begin I'd like to say I'm new to the board but been a fan for a season now. Followed them every Sunday through picking Deuce in FF and fell hook line and sinker. Its a good fit and feels like always has. Followed through the draft and preseason and now here. My heart goes out to all of you, and sometimes in this post I say "us" and "we", just talking as a newfound fan and no disrespect. Never been to NOLA, regrettably, but one day I hope to visit New Orleans to catch a game in whatever stadium/dome/ect. comes to be.]

I agree with BMG and Mr. King, but I go further to say it may be an opportunity for us to be delivered the ultimate hometown advantage -- as America's team.

Now hear me out, it all seems kinda hokey and symbolic and stuff, too, I know.

New York and New Orleans -- two cities that have seen horrific tragedies, I truly believe we must give a chance for these New Yorkers to show us some heart. I go so far as to say I bet a majority of them will be rooting for US, and I can just imagine it may even bring a tear to some's eye to think of seeing that tenable link of empathy shown from that particular city through sport and fan alike, given with willful abandon, onto us. No, I don't think we'll be greeted with heckles, the finger and a bronx cheer. It'll be different. True, our guys will be unfamiliar with the territory, but much like a strange lover, the embrace is what counts.

This seems a powerful and genuine thing in potential, my friends. Im just sentimental and hopeful that way, but it may be a way for the Saints players to rediscover that roll, that sense of mission or drive that I think one Joe Horn has already picked up on and may be spreading like wildfire amonst the crew and such.

I know, I know, it's just a game, it's just entertainment, and I'm glad for that as a distraction and good times when sometimes those are few, but I gotta remember because I remember -- the best of sports uplifts us beyond, let us hope this upcoming season has much of the former and just enough of the latter.

gosaintsgo!!!
playoff bound in '06 found!