AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.

You're wrong if you call them the 'same old Saints'.(NFL)

The Sporting News

| October 28, 2005 | Baldinger, Brian | COPYRIGHT 2005 Sporting News Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)Copyright

The shame of it is that, after seeing New Orleans drop to 2-4 in a game in which Atlanta returned a fumble and a blocked field-goal attempt for touchdowns, most folks probably thought, "Same old Saints." And that is so wrong. This team is much better and tougher than almost anybody realizes.

I spent four days with the Saints last week, and not once did I hear anyone making excuses. But they certainly could have. Their unique situation presents challenges no other NFL team must face.

* Jostled family lives. Coach Jim Haslett's family lives in Louisiana while he and the Saints are based in San Antonio. He barely has seen his wife and kids since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Each player's and coach's situation is different, but none is normal.

* Horrendous schedule. Their first "home" game was in East Rutherford, N.J. They actually enjoyed a home-field advantage in San Antonio for two games, but now they must travel to their next eight, including four "home" games in Baton Rouge. It'll be Christmas Eve before the Saints play another game in the city in which they now practice and live.

* Roving practice facilities. The Saints practice at the Alamodome twice a week ...

Related articles from newspapers, magazines, journals, and more
Mayor wants Saints in San Antonio.
Newspaper article from: San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio, TX) October 17, 2005 700+ words
...aimed at making the team the "San Antonio Saints" before the start of the...benefit analysis of the Saints in San Antonio. "We want to know how much...his team away." Luring the Saints to San Antonio could cost millions, Hardberger...
New Orleans mayor doesn't go easy on talk of San Antonio Saints.
Newspaper article from: San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio, TX) October 20, 2005 700+ words
...inappropriate for the mayor of San Antonio to attempt to pirate the Saints in the middle of the Hurricane...Antonio city officials) to suggest San Antonio isn't (recruiting) the Saints. How would San Antonio feel if it got hit by a natural...
SAN ANTONIO MAYOR EYES SAINTS FOR '06.(Sports)
Newspaper article from: The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, OH) October 18, 2005 700+ words
...resolve to bring the Saints to San Antonio permanently, saying...Falcons game Sunday in San Antonio, said Sunday that Saints owner Tom Benson agreed...Katrina prompted the Saints to practice in San Antonio and play three games...
``Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes'' Exhibition Coming to...
Press release article from: Business Wire April 19, 2005 700+ words
SAN ANTONIO -- "Saint Peter and the Vatican...Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio from October 15, 2005, through January 8, 2006. San Antonio is the only city in the...leadership, beginning with Saint Peter through Pope John...
Don't hold your breath waiting for the San Antonio Saints.(Knight Ridder...
Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service LeBreton, Gil June 30, 2001 700+ words
...and New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, ears perked in San Antonio again. The good...before moving to San Antonio when he was 29...team, saving the Saints from being moved...will finally go to San Antonio. He wants the city...t count on the Saints, friends. ...
No excuses for 2-6 Saints, and they refuse to make any Team still getting used...
Newspaper article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) McDill, Kent November 3, 2005 700+ words
...Orleans. However, the Saints certainly have had a...Hurricane Katrina. The Saints (2-6) meet the Bears...other adopted home, San Antonio, to play a "home...with the flow." The Saints have played "home...at the Alamodome in San Antonio and at Tiger Stadium...
SAINTS' THOUGHTS ELSEWHERE\ TEMPORARY HOME IN SAN ANTONIO.(Sports)
Newspaper article from: The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, OH) September 2, 2005 700+ words
...our team is heartbroken," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "They...somewhere else." Afterward, the Saints flew all night to San Antonio with no idea when they'll...Tagliabue said it's unlikely the Saints will play in New Orleans this...
San Antonio Chimalistaca, entrance de Sn. Angel = Saint Antoine Chimalistaca,...
Picture from: NYPL Digital Gallery unknown January 1, 1934 700+ words
For more facts and information, see all results
©2009 Gale, a part of Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
About us | FAQs | Contact us | Privacy policy | Terms and conditions
Other Gale sites: Encyclopedia.com | HighBeam Research | Acquire Content | Books & Authors | Goliath | MovieRetriever | Smart QandA