Interesting Lienart Theory . . .
 

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

This is one angle I didn't consider, which presents an option to our #2 pick . . .

Consider the source. PFW is about as accurate as Aaron Brooks.

The source may be very questionable, but if you think about it, it makes sense, especially if you take into account the 180 Benson did on his stance from "I'm afraid for my life I'm out of here" to 'I want to stay in N.O." right after the meeting with Tags. I actually posted something similar a couple of weeks ago.

Think about it:
NFL wants team in L.A.
NFL knows L.A. is apathetic to pro football, but love their Trojans and their Bruins.
Saints draft Leinart, L.A. and USC hero.
Saints "try" to stay in N.O., but after a year of trying, they say they can't. NFL saves face because they "tried".
Benson sells for gazillion dollars to L.A. investors.
L.A. inverstors pay Carroll millions to ,leave USC to coach the team.
USC fans go to games and watch on TV to see their heroes.
UCLA fans go to games and watch on TV to see Leinart and Carroll fail..

Man, Saints08 would be proud...

You've got a point, but I just can't see the NFL moving the Saints, no matter how much Cali loves Leinart. I think that for the NFL to move the Gulf's team out now or even in the near future would be to commit public image suicide. They would be going back on Tags' comments of the Saints being New Orleans' team and being in N.O. past 2006. Interesting perspective, but I just can't see it happening.

I think the NFL has the "Well, we gave it a shot" spin already working. Barring another hurricane thrashing the NO, it will be out of the public consciousness by 2007, especially if the team plays a full year there without incident. I see little to no backlash for the league, except from the area. They gave 20 mil to help in the renovation process of the dome, which was already covered, and they forced Benson to come back. They are gonna sit back, said they did their part, and shrug their shoulders should Benson decide to sell or leave. We are the only ones who can stop that. Like I keep saying, how many years does anyone believe the other owners are gonna wanna subsidize this team? If attendance is poor, I bet a unanimous vote on a move passes.

while they have let other teams move for different reasons, the saints pose the worst and best reasons bar none. however, once you get on a carousel under these circumstances, it not only opens the door for any reason, it widens the door for every reason............
what i'm saying is, this may be a can of worms they'd be wise not to open..........
i doubt katrina will be forgotten in a yr much less a lifetime.................smitty

if the nfl moved a team like the browns with a very loyal fan base they can move any team.

the best news for new orleans is tom benson. not that he is a good owner, but because he is very easily swayed by public opinion of himself. guys like him can be easily manipulated.

I know it's from PFT but I thought you would find it interesting anyway:

LEINART NEEDS TO LOWER HIS PROFILE

A league source tells us that USC quarterback Matt Leinart's heavy presence on television during Super Bowl week, including a Desperate Housewives spot during the game itself, has some players grumbling about his growing profile.

"This f--king guy hasn't even taken a snap yet," was one of the quotes uttered in response to Leinart's presence on the TV circuit at a time when, as other league insiders previously have told us, Leinart would be better served in the weight room or on the track improving his speed and arm strength in advance of the upcoming draft.

There have been rumors and speculation that Leinart could fall on draft day, due to concerns that he's not as committed to pro football as he could or should be. Some league insiders, however, insist that there's no way he'll get past the Titans at No. 3.

Regardless, we think his best bet for the next two months is to focus only on getting ready for his pre-draft workouts. Millions of dollars literally are on the line, since the value of the contracts at the top of the draft diminish significantly with each player taken.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm