The New Orleans 'Aints
 

It doesn't look like they will have a home, or even a home fan base this year. I saw where the Sept. 18 game will be moved to New Jersey, but I think the team needs a home for the season. Three spots come to mind:

1. Memphis. It housed the Titans in a transistion year, and I think the Liberty Bowl was used for them.

2. Shreveport. There is a stadium there where the Independence Bowl is played.

3. Birmingham. They supported the USFL very well two decades ago.

Three other possibles:

1. Los Angeles. No NFL team there now, why not?

2. Las Vegas. The gambling restrictions on local teams would be an impediment.

3. Houston, in the Astrodome after it's emptied of evacuees.

Of course, as I finished this, it dawned on me that the answer may have already been announced and I just missed it.

Calling them the 'Aints as I have done for many years seems a bit harsh given the circumstances but it's true and you make a good point. Taglia-screwed said the other day that they won't play a real home game this season.

How about Tallahassee? They've been looking for a quality football experience for quite a while! :D

My guess is either San Antonio or Baton Rouge, for this year.

Wouldn't be surprised to see them in LA or San Antonio permenantly next year.

yeah, LA was listed as a possibilty for the saints a little while back. after Katrina, i wouldn't be suprised to see them in LA next year either.

We've already got two teams in NJ that play under the name of a different state, we'll happily take a third team at the Meadowlands -- and they can even keep the name New Orleans -- we really don't mind..

Yeah, but they "ain't" got a place to play, so that name seemed to sadly fit.

Tallahassee works, and the suggestion of San Antonio also looks good. There seems to be several spots outside of the state where a team could land for the season.

As for Baton Rouge, I thought of that, but didn't know if anything could be worked out with LSU for the stadium. Under the circumstances, I suspect it could be for the year. Then again, Shreveport would have that Louisiana connection; is there a college team playing in the stadium there on a regular basis?

I heard today that the Saints have relocated their operations to San Antonio (the support staff) which makes me think this year, they'll be in the Alamodome.

Tiger stadium in Baton Rouge is the top choice. However, BR currently has lots of refugees and won't be able to handle any games until October. There is also concern about how well the field will hold up if two games are played in one weekend.

They should just come up and play in the Dome in Toronto...

Nah, they'd never figure out what to do on the 54 yard line!

Plus, the refs would be throwing flags for 12 men on the field all the time.

It just wouldn't work! :D

they sure could use the extra room in the end zone though.

They should play as close to New Orleans as possible. Even with the city evacuated, there's still plenty of fans in the area that would have season tickets or follow the team closely. Yes, even the Saints have fans. :D That area needs as much diversion from reality as it can get. Saints football on Sunday would be a start.

Wasn't there talks of Saints playing at the opponent's homefield everygame until they're able to return to their own terrirtory? I remember this idea being mentioned on CNN Headlines but I'm not sure...

Or they could take all that money they would spend in moving to another city and instead use it to help the people of the city they still so proudly call their own.

That's awfully generous with someone else's money.

The Saints don't really have a choice but to relocate. The Superdome is coming down and the Crescent City isn't going to be their home anytime in the foreseeable future.

I wouldn't be shocked if they NEVER go back to New Orleans. A lot of money would have to be spent in building a new stadium, and I think the cry will go out for those funds to be used in other, more necessary spots. I would almost expect them to be in San Antonio for the next 2 years, and maybe forever. I suppose it's also possible they play in SA for a year or two, then do a bidding process for a new home city similar to how they award expansion teams.