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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=keating_peter&id=5338902
June 2010
Full Ultimate Standings
So the Saints are No. 1 and the Clippers are last. Where does every other franchse rank? Click here.

How close did the team come to moving?
The rest of the world thought we were down and weren't coming back. We had to relocate in 2005. Our practice facility was occupied by the military during that time. Publicly, everybody was talking about that. But we -- ourselves and our staff -- wanted to come back. We just had to find a way. And that's what we did. -- Tom Benson, owner

Our standings rank all MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL teams by how they repay fans for the time, money and emotion they invest in them. The results show that fans feel a strong connection to the Saints. What accounts for that?
The bond we have with our fans, and the support we get from them, were created post-Katrina, with the struggles and hardships we all went through helping to rebuild this city. We really leaned on each other in that time, and I think it culminated in the reopening of the Superdome on Sept. 25, 2006. That symbolized the fact that New Orleans was not only going to come back, but come back stronger than ever. When we thought about winning the Super Bowl, we wanted to win it for our fans. -- Drew Brees, quarterback

You always see the players in our community, especially Drew Brees. You can drive by his house and honk, and if he's working on the yard or something, he'll wave back. -- Jeff Larsen, fan

Methodology
Want to know how we came up with the Ultimate Standings? Take a deeper look here.

We have a good website, but not a big social media presence. When players leave practice or games, they're visible, and news spreads person to person and by word of mouth. The Saints are what people talk about with their neighbors. It's neat to see. -- Doug Miller, director of new media

We explicitly look for people with a certain energy level. That's one reason we hired Sean Payton. We look for tough-mindedness and intelligence, and people who see a glass as half full. We have to have players and staff who do more than football, who relish the chance to make a difference in New Orleans. -- Mickey Loomis, GM

Fans love Sean Payton. Does the Saints' aggressive play help keep the team close to fans?
I think so. On offense we attack, and on defense [defensive coordinator] Gregg Williams is blitzing every other down. I think it brings more excitement to the game. -- Pete Carmichael, offensive coordinator

The Superdome has some wear and tear on it, but does it have a different vibe from other venues?
There's energy in the building; even when you come out for warmups in the early part of the day, you can feel the electricity. Then you come back out for the start of the game and you can really feel something in the air. -- Carmichael

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=keating_peter&id=5338902

www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman

" Anyone can take a picture Only a Photographer can take a photograph "

SmashMouth

I almost forgot Fast Freddie McAfee was in the front office now .... He was as stud for us.

saintfan

I have friends that are die hard Patriots fans. Some are die hard Cowboys fans...and a few Steelers fans from the Bradshaw era. They just don't get it. Our Saints are woven into the fabric of our home state. We have more than just a rooting interest. It's like wanting to see a member or members of your own family do well, and we celebrate that way when they win, and we take it personally when they lose.

And ain't it great to FINALLY flip the rest of the league the bird? LMAO

homerj07

Cool!!