Rating: (0 votes - average)

The quirks of a champions' schedule are all a part of the New Orleans Saints' preparation this week for Monday night's game on the West Coast against San Francisco.

Scott Threlkeld/The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints kicker Garrett Hartley misses the second of two field-goal attempts in the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 9 at the Superdome.
The team has had a long break since beating Minnesota in its opener on Sept. 9, and it will have a short week coming back before hosting divisional adversary, Atlanta. The Saints are flying out to San Francisco a day early, in part to acclimate themselves with the time difference, Coach Sean Payton said, and in part to give them a shot at practicing in Candlestick Park.

For there, for the first time in a long time, the Saints might have to cope with the elements. The team hasn't played outdoors on grass since Super Bowl XLIV, the temperature is expected to dip below 60 degrees during the game, and the fickle bay winds could be a factor, according to Payton and several Saints players.
That's not all bad, of course. As Saints free safety Malcolm Jenkins noted, if the wind is giving the offense headaches that will help the Saints secondary. And when the Saints do have the ball, Payton expressed confidence his offense and its leader, quarterback Drew Brees, have the experience and aplomb required.
Which isn't to say, Payton cautioned, that wind won't play a role.
"I don't really know of a way to prepare for the wind," he said. "I think we have a quarterback that can handle rain and wind. He has a strong arm, he has big hands. Those are things that help. But certainly you have to pay attention to it in regards to field position, in regards to your timeouts if you're punting and kicking with the wind and try to maximize if the wind is in one direction as opposed to swirling. But we'll have a wind Monday night - the question is which direction and is it a swirling wind or is it an advantage one way or the other. But it's really hard to simulate that, though, and it's the one element that you have to learn to deal with."

read more

crawgator

Bring on the Weather. There once was a day of no indoor stadiums, no artificial turf. When Football was played in the elements. We don't need any Excuses. Just play the game as it was played in the Old days. The Frozen Tundra for example. Just Hit em' Hard make em Feel the Pain. Take Advantage of The wind and cool temps.

SaintPauly

Yeah, it NEVER rains in New Orleans. We may as well just go ahead and forfeit now.

homerj07

Hey - You play well & get these "national stage" opportunities. It is harder - BUT when you win I bet it is really worth it!!

Rugby Saint II

From the Weather Channel...............it ain't gonna snow! So I'm not worried about the weather. Hartley should bounce back and Moorestead has been pretty good so far.

Pete

We travel well under Payton.Rain,sleet,or snow we'll be ready to play!

Saint_LB

Dude...you do realize it's been quite some time since they moved from Tulane Stadium to the Superdome? I hope you are referring to the fact that they must practice an awful lot in the rain, but...do they?

Anyway...it's not just "cool" in the stick. It is downright COLD! When it's raining it is miserably cold...and don't even let me get started about the wind. A kicker really doesn't know which way to kick when the winds are swirling.

They didn't give out those "Croix de Candlestick" pins at baseball games for nothing.

Whether you think you can or think you can't...you're right!

neugey

I say there will be a "Cool Brees" in San Fransisco.

QBREES9

It never rain in California. There was song about that.

strato

Brees knows the Cali weather...remember he has done well there ...Charger wins .....Rose Bowl......he will be ready