Pardon Big Daddy, but Saints Beat would be remiss without commenting bogus decisions settled the other day. LSU and Tulane terminated their football rivalry this week, which began in 1893. Halloween night will be the final chapter in the Louisiana football series. LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva informed Tulane of his refusal to play future games in New Orleans citing financial reasons. Tulane Head Coach Bob Toledo said, “playing exclusively in Tiger Stadium is not fair, we play in a beautiful stadium, in a great city, not in a dumpy little town.” You like that Baton Rouge? Big Daddy recalls when LSU pulled the same maneuver in the ’90s, replacing Tulane’s date with schools like San Jose State, Miami(Ohio), North Texas, Akron, Idaho, New Mexico State, Western Carolina, and Western Illinois. Hey Joe, you’re greed-driven business model sucks! Your outrageous ticket prices can’t fill Tiger Stadium against weak sisters. Vanderbilt couldn’t even sell out Saturday night. Is Alleva heeding advice from the same idiots recommending a new teaching hospital instead of re-opening Charity Hospital? If so, God help the Tigers!
Back to Sunday fun-day, weather waiting caused time constraints, warranting elevator convenience to reach the promised land (Section 645). Bobby Hebert stepped on the lift with us, quietly acting inconspicuous. Big Daddy foiled Hebert’s plot, blurting out, “Hey Bobby are you excited about the new season?” The Cajun Cannon replied, “oh yes, we (the Saints) just need run the ball and stop the run.” Sound familiar? Suddenly, the doors opened and Bobby strolled off the elevator toward the press box. As years go by, thinking back on that brief moment in time, Big Daddy will remember Hebert’s amazing ability to talk with huge dip in his cheek, he had a Volkswagen in the side of his mouth and Cajun accent flowed so freely, no spit cup either— Totally Awesome!
Just as people have their favorite restaurants, season ticket holders love familiar surroundings, believing their seats rule. Section 645 veterans feel even stronger about their magical place. No club level for us, we love intensity and expressing our passion. Unfortunately, the economic downturn forced some diehard 645ers to their living sofas. Veterans of 645 demonstrated uncontrollable expletive outbursts producing uneasy looks from 645 rookies filling spots regulars once occupied. Big Daddy knows understanding 645’s rules of engagement is awkward, similar to tribulations teenage boys face getting that first pair of panties still hanging on the bed post. Section 645’s state-of-the-art teaching techniques graduate ordinary citizens into “Pummel!” screaming maniacs in no time.
Recapping the Detroit season opener, Robert Meachem returned the opening kick 42 yards and Drew Brees’ 9-yard pass to Marques Colston put the Saints in front 7-0. Brees’ 39-yard hook-up to Meachem quickly made it 14-0. Detroit rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford drove his team into position; Jason Hanson kicked a 47-yard field goal, and the Saints led 14-3 after one. Lions’ punt return specialist, Dennis Northcutt, set up Kevin Smith’s 4-yard touchdown run, closing the gap to 14-10. Brees’ 3rd and 4th scoring tosses to Jeremy Shockey stretched the margin to a 28-10 lead. Things got wild in the half’s final minute: Detroit went 1-2-3 kick, Reggie Bush muffed the punt back to Detroit, Saints safety Darren Sharper intercepted Stafford’s first pass, then Detroit blocked John Carney’s 34-yard try, keeping the halftime score 28-10. Motown’s wide receiver Calvin Johnson’s 64-yard reception torched Malcolm Jenkins (the Saints’ top draft pick). Questionable officiating then helped the Lions punch it in on Stafford’s 1-yard sneak. The 28-17 score became 31-20 when Carney and Hanson traded 3-pointers. Brees’ 5th touchdown to Devery Henderson built a 38-20 advantage. Scooping up Mike Bell’s fumble and going all the way, Detroit’s Louis Delmas cut the deficit to 38-27, heading to the fourth. Heath Evans cemented the 45-27 victory catching Drew Brees’ 6th touchdown of the day.
Playoff dreams fell woefully short the past two seasons due to a defense softer than Viagra pill poppers, and Head Coach Sean Payton’s stubborn pass-happy philosophy. General Manager Mickey Loomis hired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and brought in secondary replacements to stiffen limp areas. Offensively, balance is the key for Coach Payton who should institute a 60/40 pass-to-run ratio will produce scores more often than David Viter seeking professional stress releases. The national sports media acknowledged the Saints’ strategic offseason moves and many feel these improvements will spell postseason football in January.
Don’t forget: relying on “potential” to reach the postseason produces results more disappointing than depending on the NOPD’s evidence room for convictions. However, Big Daddy believes the stars have aligned for this year’s Black ’n’ Gold squad. Big Daddy predicts the Saints will post an 11-5 mark, capturing the NFC’s South, and earning a first-round bye on their way to Super Sunday.
Tune in next week to check out Big Daddy as Saints Beat recaps the Philadelphia game, pinpoints teams weaknesses and offers solutions, and applauds former inspector general Bob Cerasoli. Saints fact finding is so easy, just log on to www.NOSaintsHistory.com to locate the information you seek. Now Big Daddy releases his World Famous Pregame Information: — Take the Saints plus one —
