Forget stressing out about the threat of Swine Flu, Black ’ n’ Gold Fever is spreading across the country faster than U.S. Attorney Jim Letten opens new corruption investigations at City Hall. Prior to the game, the biased Northeastern-controlled television sports media told national TV viewers that the team of the decade (New England) would expose those fraudulent Saints. After the Saints pummeled New England Monday night, the Fever’s infection rate reached epidemic proportions. Worried Americans started seeking a cure to this peculiar new virus. Well don’t be frightened, Big Daddy knows the only remedy: Jump on the “Who Dat Bandwagon” rolling through your city and start enjoying life. In this week’s edition of the Section 645 Saints Beat, Big Daddy covers the State Farm Bayou Classic, tailgates at the Kingpin, rides the streetcar to the game, recaps a wild Monday Night Party, reports from Section 645, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.
Thanksgiving weekend around these parts means Bayou Classic. This year marked the 35th anniversary of the grudge match pitting Southern University vs. Grambling State. An estimated 200,000 tourists descended on our fair city to enjoy the epitome of college football’s pageantry, pumping $30 million into the local economy. Visiting fans look forward to attending Bayou Classic sanctioned events made possible by lead sponsor State Farm. Activities include the super job fair, a Gospel brunch, the Battle of the Bands and Greek show, climaxing with Saturday afternoon’s grid iron war. Grambling dominated Southern for the second straight time, pounding the Jaguars 31-13. Post game celebrations commenced, enveloping a sizeable chunk of Canal St. and the Vieux Carre. Adventurous dudes experimented with some of the area’s alternative entertainment options, keeping Bourbon St.’ s talented ladies busy explaining their recession-sensitive VIP services. Big Daddy knows just like Tiger Woods, no matter what event tourists come here for, bad boys will always want to try new ways to “ hide the salami” while spending time in the Big Easy.
The Kingpin was the backdrop for more priceless memories Monday afternoon. Regulars escaped the nasty weather by gathering indoors for another Big Daddy Tailgate Bar-B-Q. Ben and Steve grilled some very tasty hamburgers and hot dogs, while Tamme served the frosty beverages. Every week the Kingpin’s Saints bash climbs to new heights. Shortly after the 645ers finished checking the weather, Marigny Brasserie Chef Dave Phillips blew the roof off the “Pin” when he served his masterful suckling pig. The oinker was stuffed with a pork shoulder and a pork butt, then roasted slowly in figs, jalapeñ os, and fennel— Outstanding! Thank goodness Saints Beat’ s special Capital Hill correspondent Dean Franks rolled in with those curiously strong Altoids. Man those mints made your breath so fresh, all inhibitions simply melted away. Totally Awesome!
Big Daddy’s crew decided to roll on public transit to the showdown. Night rides on St. Charles streetcar are always interesting, Monday’s was no different. Checking the trolley’s schedule on the internet proved to be as believable as shallow campaign promises to end an illegal war. Even though we waited quite a while for our beloved green electric train, hopping on board kicked an already wild evening up a notch. Whether its riders going to the game, a Floridian Rick’s Cabaret host, the spiked hair guy picking up dudes, a tatted urban-dressed gangsta who hates the Manning boys, riders screaming Who Dat, or the conductor blowing through red lights, only locals understand what a thrill-ride the St. Charles line can be. We exited the reality show at Poydras St., where the buildings created a wind tunnel effect, multiplying the cool breezes several times. Ill-prepared Saints fans walked quickly toward the Superdome. Normally cops harassing young entrepreneurs peddling unlicensed Saints gear and selling store bought beers from ice chest would draw attention to our tabloid starved masses, but the bone-chilling air even stopped their insatiable curiosity.
The New England game recap begins when John Carney’s kick kissed the left upright on its way through putting the Saints ahead 3-0. Following Thomas Morstead’s touchback kickoff, Pats quarterback Tom Brady engineered a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, capped by Laurence Maroney 4-yard run. New England led 7-3 after one. Patriots receiver Wes Welker’ s 41-yard punt return gave Brady great field position and made Saints fans somewhat uneasy. Cornerback Mike McKenzie’s first down interception proved the pivotal moment in New England’ s demise. Seven plays later, the Saints regained the advantage, when Drew Brees’ 18-yard scoring pass to Pierre Thomas made it 10-7. Devery Henderson’ s 75-yard TD reception made it 17-7 Saints. Pats kicker Stephen Gostkowski’ s 38-yard 3-pointer closed the gap to 17-10 late in the second. Brees’ gorgeous 38-yard pass to Robert Meachem stretched the margin to 24-10 at halftime. Maroney’s 2-yard run TD trimmed the Saints edge down to 24-17. Brees’ 2-yard pass to Darnell Dinkins pushed the lead back to 14, 31-17 heading to the fourth. Marques Colston’s 20-yard reception became Brees’ fifth scoring pass of the night, notching an impressive 38-17 statement win over the Patsies.
Section 645 cemented its position as hallowed Superdome ground by setting the example for Saints fans around the dome to copy. Consistently loud crowd noise measuring 120 decibels stunned Bill Belichick and his Brady Bunch, forcing them into numerous uncharacteristic miscues. Holding the NFL’s second ranked offense to 17 points showcased what a great defensive scheme Gregg Williams drew up. Combining the NFL’s best offense with an aggressive play-making defense in the league’ s loudest stadium overwhelms opponents more often than Steven Seagal mentions Karate in his new Jefferson Parish reality show named “ Lawman,” a “ Cops” knock-off, which debuted to a network record-setting audience Wednesday night on A & E. How many washed-up big-screen stars wind down their careers by settling for lower-paying cable TV gigs? Perhaps Tim Tebow’s future will land him a television ministry, because Big Daddy ain’t seen anybody cry like that since Jimmy Swaggart.
Look for the Section 645 Saints Beat next week, when Big Daddy recaps the Washington game, describes the action from the Kingpin, and looks at the current NFL playoff picture. With Christmas around the corner, make sure you keep up the good work and Click for Cans each day. Just log on to: www.chunky.com/ClickforCansLanding.aspx to cast your vote. If you are new member of growing Who Dat Nation, learn about the coolest pro sports team’s past by typing in: www.NOSaintsHistory.com to impress the ladies at your favorite watering hole. Now Big Daddy releases his World Famous Pregame Information: — Take the Saints minus 9.5 —
