Monday night game again eludes N.O.

pakowitz · 04-08-2003, 01:29 AM

http://www.nolalive.com/saints/t-p/i...9471104100.xml

Saints playing only on Sundays

Friday April 04, 2003

By Jeff Duncan
Staff writer

New Orleans might be a favorite destination spot for the rest of America, but not for Monday Night Football.

For the second consecutive season and the eighth time in the past nine years, the Saints will not play a prime-time game on Monday Night Football.

The NFL released its 17-week, 256-game regular-season schedule Thursday.

The Saints are one of 12 teams without a Monday night appearance. Of the 16 teams that had a winning record last season, the Saints are the only one not appearing on the league's weekly primetime showcase event.

In their only Monday Night appearance since 1995, the Saints lost to St. Louis 34-21 at the Superdome on Dec. 17, 2001.

"That's just the way the schedule worked out this year," NFL spokesman Michael Signora said.

The NFL selects the games for its four network partners: ABC, CBS, ESPN and FOX.

"The NFL assigns the schedule and makes the choice for its partners," said Mark Mandel, vice president of media relations for ABC Sports. "We don't have the authority to pick the games we want.

"I can assure you we have nothing against New Orleans. New Orleans is one of our favorite places to visit."

Saints coach Jim Haslett did not immediately return phone calls Thursday.

The Saints' two primetime appearances are ESPN Sunday night games. The Indianapolis Colts and former Newman quarterback Peyton Manning will visit the Superdome on Sept. 28. The New York Giants visit the Superdome on Dec. 14. Both games are at 7:30 p.m.

The Saints' key stretch occurs during a six-week period from Oct. 5 to Nov. 16 in which the Saints play five of six games against NFC South Division rivals the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

That span overlaps what appears to be the most difficult stretch of the schedule. From Nov. 2 to Dec. 14, the Saints play five games against NFC playoff teams during a seven-week period.

The combined 2002 record of the Saints' 2003 opponents is 131-123-2, a .514 winning percentage. Eight games are against 2002 playoff teams.

Other highlights:

-- After not making a trip west of the Mississippi River in 2002, the Saints will open the 2003 regular season Sept. 7 at the Seattle Seahawks. The Seattle trip will be a homecoming of sorts for several coaches, scouts and front office members hired by former general manager Randy Mueller, who previously worked for the Seahawks.

-- Three of the Saints' four games against AFC South Division teams come in consecutive weeks after the season opener against the Houston Texans, at the Tennessee Titans and against the Colts.

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04-08-2003, 01:29 AM	#1
pakowitz The Dark Overlord Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,450	Monday night game again eludes N.O. http://www.nolalive.com/saints/t-p/i...9471104100.xml Saints playing only on Sundays Friday April 04, 2003 By Jeff Duncan Staff writer New Orleans might be a favorite destination spot for the rest of America, but not for Monday Night Football. For the second consecutive season and the eighth time in the past nine years, the Saints will not play a prime-time game on Monday Night Football. The NFL released its 17-week, 256-game regular-season schedule Thursday. The Saints are one of 12 teams without a Monday night appearance. Of the 16 teams that had a winning record last season, the Saints are the only one not appearing on the league's weekly primetime showcase event. In their only Monday Night appearance since 1995, the Saints lost to St. Louis 34-21 at the Superdome on Dec. 17, 2001. "That's just the way the schedule worked out this year," NFL spokesman Michael Signora said. The NFL selects the games for its four network partners: ABC, CBS, ESPN and FOX. "The NFL assigns the schedule and makes the choice for its partners," said Mark Mandel, vice president of media relations for ABC Sports. "We don't have the authority to pick the games we want. "I can assure you we have nothing against New Orleans. New Orleans is one of our favorite places to visit." Saints coach Jim Haslett did not immediately return phone calls Thursday. The Saints' two primetime appearances are ESPN Sunday night games. The Indianapolis Colts and former Newman quarterback Peyton Manning will visit the Superdome on Sept. 28. The New York Giants visit the Superdome on Dec. 14. Both games are at 7:30 p.m. The Saints' key stretch occurs during a six-week period from Oct. 5 to Nov. 16 in which the Saints play five of six games against NFC South Division rivals the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That span overlaps what appears to be the most difficult stretch of the schedule. From Nov. 2 to Dec. 14, the Saints play five games against NFC playoff teams during a seven-week period. The combined 2002 record of the Saints' 2003 opponents is 131-123-2, a .514 winning percentage. Eight games are against 2002 playoff teams. Other highlights: -- After not making a trip west of the Mississippi River in 2002, the Saints will open the 2003 regular season Sept. 7 at the Seattle Seahawks. The Seattle trip will be a homecoming of sorts for several coaches, scouts and front office members hired by former general manager Randy Mueller, who previously worked for the Seahawks. -- Three of the Saints' four games against AFC South Division teams come in consecutive weeks after the season opener against the Houston Texans, at the Tennessee Titans and against the Colts. . . . . . . .