Same ol', same ol' for Saints

tiggerpolice · 08-13-2005, 01:01 PM

NEW ORLEANS

Same ol', same ol' for Saints

We heard it all summer. The New Orleans Saints had an improved defense. Everybody knew about their offensive playmakers. As Tom Benson would say, they were "workin' to win" in New Orleans.

You gotta have faith.

You gotta be kidding me.

This NFL team is still trotting out empty slogans, empty performances, and, in their exhibition opener Friday night, another half-empty Louisiana Superdome.

No, check that. The Saints played host to the Seattle Seahawks, and a Tulane game broke out.

About 25,000 people actually turned out for this sorry spectacle, which obviously means next to nothing once they tee it up for real in September.

It certainly meant next to nothing to Benson's Boys in Black and Gold, the perpetual 8-8 team that is pacing itself for another run at mediocrity.

Seattle 34, New Orleans 15, Tom Benson 0.

Deuce McAllister fumbled on the game's third play from scrimmage, the Seahawks scored two plays later and the fans who obviously had nothing better to do sensed they had seen this movie before.

They had.

Seneca Wallace, the Seahawks' backup quarterback, scrambled for a 24-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, putting the Saints in a 14-3 hole.

Todd Bouman, the Saints' backup quarterback, made sure they stayed there.

Bouman served up an interception, and former Saints wideout Jerome Pathon burned Jason Craft for a 28-yard touchdown reception, making it 21-3 and leaving everybody in this town north of the Audubon Zoo wishing they were actually there.

In the alligator pit.

Benson wants Saints fans to take a leap of faith, to drop their hard-earned money on season tickets for a team that may be up for franchise free agency. The Los Angeles Lost Boys or the San Antonio Sidewinders or, according to one Benson confidant a few months back, the Albuquerque Armadillos.

Trouble is, these same fans seem to be accepting this fate, if their reaction to Friday night's fiasco was any indication.

There were scattered boos, sure. The empty seats began to multiply once Pathon got in the end zone with 5:06 left in the first half. But mostly, it was indifference. Have a beer, boo first-round bust Johnathan Sullivan. Praise Deuce for electing to re-sign with the Saints, giving the club a touch of class, and grumble about Benson, who, well, touches plenty of things and is best known for turning gold into fertilizer.

The Saints have sold about 33,000 season tickets for Jim Haslett's sixth season, which marks 21 years under the Benson administration. One playoff victory. Lots of 7-9 and 8-8 seasons. The Ditka Disaster.

Same team, different slogan.

Sock It To 'Em Saints. Faith, Hope and Bum. No Mora Excuses. Cha-ching! (Not that their ticket office is gonna be singing that tune.) Men of Iron.

You Gotta Have Faith.

They're talking to you, L.A.

A leap of faith? More like a leap into the aforementioned alligator pit.

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/12373379.htm

08-13-2005, 01:01 PM	#1
tiggerpolice 500th Post Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: new orleans Posts: 584	Same ol', same ol' for Saints NEW ORLEANS Same ol', same ol' for Saints We heard it all summer. The New Orleans Saints had an improved defense. Everybody knew about their offensive playmakers. As Tom Benson would say, they were "workin' to win" in New Orleans. You gotta have faith. You gotta be kidding me. This NFL team is still trotting out empty slogans, empty performances, and, in their exhibition opener Friday night, another half-empty Louisiana Superdome. No, check that. The Saints played host to the Seattle Seahawks, and a Tulane game broke out. About 25,000 people actually turned out for this sorry spectacle, which obviously means next to nothing once they tee it up for real in September. It certainly meant next to nothing to Benson's Boys in Black and Gold, the perpetual 8-8 team that is pacing itself for another run at mediocrity. Seattle 34, New Orleans 15, Tom Benson 0. Deuce McAllister fumbled on the game's third play from scrimmage, the Seahawks scored two plays later and the fans who obviously had nothing better to do sensed they had seen this movie before. They had. Seneca Wallace, the Seahawks' backup quarterback, scrambled for a 24-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, putting the Saints in a 14-3 hole. Todd Bouman, the Saints' backup quarterback, made sure they stayed there. Bouman served up an interception, and former Saints wideout Jerome Pathon burned Jason Craft for a 28-yard touchdown reception, making it 21-3 and leaving everybody in this town north of the Audubon Zoo wishing they were actually there. In the alligator pit. Benson wants Saints fans to take a leap of faith, to drop their hard-earned money on season tickets for a team that may be up for franchise free agency. The Los Angeles Lost Boys or the San Antonio Sidewinders or, according to one Benson confidant a few months back, the Albuquerque Armadillos. Trouble is, these same fans seem to be accepting this fate, if their reaction to Friday night's fiasco was any indication. There were scattered boos, sure. The empty seats began to multiply once Pathon got in the end zone with 5:06 left in the first half. But mostly, it was indifference. Have a beer, boo first-round bust Johnathan Sullivan. Praise Deuce for electing to re-sign with the Saints, giving the club a touch of class, and grumble about Benson, who, well, touches plenty of things and is best known for turning gold into fertilizer. The Saints have sold about 33,000 season tickets for Jim Haslett's sixth season, which marks 21 years under the Benson administration. One playoff victory. Lots of 7-9 and 8-8 seasons. The Ditka Disaster. Same team, different slogan. Sock It To 'Em Saints. Faith, Hope and Bum. No Mora Excuses. Cha-ching! (Not that their ticket office is gonna be singing that tune.) Men of Iron. You Gotta Have Faith. They're talking to you, L.A. A leap of faith? More like a leap into the aforementioned alligator pit. http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/12373379.htm