Don't be surprised if New Orleans Saints visit Oxnard again

SmashMouth · 08-24-2011, 06:37 AM

Does Sean Payton have another ambush up his coaching sleeve? The man who famously unleashed the second-half onside kick in Super Bowl XLIV appears to be planning another surprise attack.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune
A golf cart stops to watch during training camp in Oxnard, California on Tuesday.
This time, though, the unsuspecting victims could be the Dallas Cowboys, not the Indianapolis Colts. And instead of a possession, Payton would like to steal the prized site where the Cowboys have held training camp for five of the past 11 years.
The Battle of Oxnard is about to be waged.
Nothing has been officially announced but rest assured a plan is in the works. If Payton has his way, the New Orleans Saints will hold training camp in Oxnard again in some form or fashion very soon, perhaps as early as next season.
"Coach Payton told me his goal is to have a longer term agreement with Oxnard to come here," said Michael Henderson, general services manager for the city of Oxnard and the point man for negotiations on such matters. "I said, 'We are certainly interested in that, too.'"
The Cowboys, though, might have something to say about that -- as might the state of Louisiana.
The Cowboys have a long history of conducting training camp in the Oxnard area. They trained in nearby Thousand Oaks for decades and have held camp in Oxnard off and on for the better part of the past decade. Their last stint in southern California was 2008. Since then, they've trained in San Antonio, but their contract has expired and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told ESPN Dallas on Tuesday that he'd like to continue splitting camp between Texas and California in the future.
"We've always kept a dialogue with Oxnard," Jones said Tuesday. "That's the best thing to say there. ... I don't have a timetable, and there's no timetable. We'll just continue to talk with San Antonio and Oxnard, as well. That's where it is."
Henderson said he has not heard from the Cowboys since the Saints' interest in the city became public. He said residents in the area have long been loyal to "America's Team" but have quickly become enamored with the Saints.
Henderson knows a thing or two about Louisiana. He's a Baton Rouge native and has deep family ties to New Orleans.
"From our side, I think our city council would be more than happy to have the Saints here," Henderson said.
Could a Battle of Oxnard between the rival organizations be looming?

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08-24-2011, 06:37 AM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,927 Blog Entries: 29	Don't be surprised if New Orleans Saints visit Oxnard again Does Sean Payton have another ambush up his coaching sleeve? The man who famously unleashed the second-half onside kick in Super Bowl XLIV appears to be planning another surprise attack. Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune A golf cart stops to watch during training camp in Oxnard, California on Tuesday. This time, though, the unsuspecting victims could be the Dallas Cowboys, not the Indianapolis Colts. And instead of a possession, Payton would like to steal the prized site where the Cowboys have held training camp for five of the past 11 years. The Battle of Oxnard is about to be waged. Nothing has been officially announced but rest assured a plan is in the works. If Payton has his way, the New Orleans Saints will hold training camp in Oxnard again in some form or fashion very soon, perhaps as early as next season. "Coach Payton told me his goal is to have a longer term agreement with Oxnard to come here," said Michael Henderson, general services manager for the city of Oxnard and the point man for negotiations on such matters. "I said, 'We are certainly interested in that, too.'" The Cowboys, though, might have something to say about that -- as might the state of Louisiana. The Cowboys have a long history of conducting training camp in the Oxnard area. They trained in nearby Thousand Oaks for decades and have held camp in Oxnard off and on for the better part of the past decade. Their last stint in southern California was 2008. Since then, they've trained in San Antonio, but their contract has expired and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told ESPN Dallas on Tuesday that he'd like to continue splitting camp between Texas and California in the future. "We've always kept a dialogue with Oxnard," Jones said Tuesday. "That's the best thing to say there. ... I don't have a timetable, and there's no timetable. We'll just continue to talk with San Antonio and Oxnard, as well. That's where it is." Henderson said he has not heard from the Cowboys since the Saints' interest in the city became public. He said residents in the area have long been loyal to "America's Team" but have quickly become enamored with the Saints. Henderson knows a thing or two about Louisiana. He's a Baton Rouge native and has deep family ties to New Orleans. "From our side, I think our city council would be more than happy to have the Saints here," Henderson said. Could a Battle of Oxnard between the rival organizations be looming? read more Attached Thumbnails