As Hurricane Katrina’s 5th anniversary quickly approaches, how many of you saw “If God Is Willing And The Creek Don’t Rise?” Spike Lee’ s HBO sequel to “When The Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts.” Despite Lee’s usual slanted race card tactics, intended to incite anger African Americans and lay harder guilt-trips on Whitey than any organized religion, Spike’s sometimes hard- to-watch emotional film is well done. Opening scenes show the Saints wining the Super Bowl, the ensuing Bourbon Street celebration, the Saints victory parade, plus clips of Zulu on Mardi Gras Day. Of course, Rex was excluded. Lee delves into the Charity Hospital debacle, exposes the city’s severe lack of mental care facilities, lets former FEMA Director Michael Brown recount his actions, highlights Brad Pitt’s 9th ward neighborhood rebuilding philanthropy, and champions Sean Penn’s humanitarian efforts. Familiar faces like Phyllis Montana LeBlanc, Wendell Pierce, Douglas Brinkley, Shelton “Shakespeare” Alexander, and Garland Robinette also return to continue telling their stories to regain normalcy in their post-Katrina lives. If you call New Orleans home, watch it! This documentary punches viewers in the gut almost harder than Lee’s original Crescent City work. However, Big Daddy wonders how many folks even get HBO. Considering these tough economic times, HBO subscribers are harder to find than bailed out Wall Street Banking Executives that declined their “well deserved” bonuses.
Ever since Hurricane Katrina pummeled the New Orleans Center 5 years ago, the Bud Bridge simply hasn’ t been able to accommodate the Who Dat army before Saints home games. Champions Square finally gives Saints fans a designated place to enjoy tailgating outside the Superdome before Black ’ n’ Gold grid iron wars inside. The spacious open area allows fans to spread out, listen to the pregame concert, choose from a variety of different food options, check out the slide show of still photos taken in the Louisiana Superdome during epic sporting events over the last 35 years, and sip on $5.00 beers, instead of the nut-crushing $8.50 a pop in the Dome, compelling Big Daddy to award Champions Square an enthusiastic “thumbs up.”
Riding the Superdome’s escalators, then climbing the Terrace’s 22 rows to Big Daddy’s paradise proved especially difficult this time around. The shiny new press box now sitting above the terrace is a constant reminder of the loyal Saints fans (1,250 in all) who lost their season ticket privileges in the name of progress. NFL required stadium upgrades for hosting the 2013 Super Bowl deemed cheap seat dwellers expendable. Construction crews also replaced the old press box with more luxury suites, giving 1,400 extra corporate types somewhere to park their asses. Dome staff members displayed their off-season rust, due to sound-system malfunctions, which rendered public address announcer Jerry Romig’s voice silent. The unfortunate PA problems even spoiled the Saintsations 2010 field debut. Each year Saints fans anxiously await the dance team’s renowned musical taste, but the snafu botched the fans opportunity to hear the classy tunes they choose to shake their money makers to. Adrenaline pumped Section 645 veterans drew on experience to fill the unusually quiet 645 air with an array of skillfully crafted 4-letter expletives, which rivaled mid-season form. F-bombs were dropping faster than America’s influence around the globe. Ah yes, the wonderful sounds of uncontrollable fan outburst brought that patented football smile back to Big Daddy’s face.
Recapping the Houston game, the Saints offensive and defensive starters exhibited a real sense of purpose, after their last week’s lackluster performance. The offense took the opening kick, Drew Brees’ pinpoint passing, solid run blocking by the O line, and Reggie Bush’s focus were very impressive. Reggie’s 9-yard touchdown power run (Saints play-by-play announcer Jim Henderson’s call described it as an “up the gut plowjob”) got the fans on their feet and put the Saints on top 7-0. Trindon Holliday, the former LSU speedster now fighting for Houston’s kick returning spot, hurt his chances when he muffed Thomas Morstead’s punt. Pierson Prioleau’s recovery gave Saints possession at the Houston 15. Three plays later, Brees’ unbelievable 10-yard underhanded flip to Marques Colston advanced the ball to the Texans’ 1. Brees’ quarterback sneak increased the advantage to 14-0 after one, and closed the books on Drew’s evening. Aided by Anthony Hargrove’s boneheaded late hit flag, Texan running back Arian Foster’s 10-yard touchdown run trimmed the Saints margin to 14-7. The Saints regained their 14 point spread at 21-7, when backup QB Chase Daniel’s perfectly executed screen pass to Pierre Thomas covered 31 yards. Houston kicker, Neil Rackers’ 52-yard 3-pointer doinked over the crossbar, pulling the Texans to within a 21-10 deficit. Wide receiver Adrian Arrington hauled in Daniel’s 48-yard bomb keying the Saints 11 play half-ending drive. The first half clock expired on Daniel’s 1-yard 4th down TD toss to Zak Keasey, sending the Saints to the break ahead 28-10. Houston linebacker Danny Clark intercepted an ill-advised Daniel pass, but the Saints defense stiffened, then Texans second kicker, Kris Brown drilled a 43-yarder, making the scoreboard say 28-13 good guys. Daniel got the Saints in the end zone on more time, hitting Arrington with an 18-yard scoring throw. The Saints lead grew to 35-13 heading to the fourth. Houston backup Dan Orlovsky made it more respectable, finding receiver Garrett Graham with a 10-yard touchdown pass. Already in front 35-20, Garrett Hartley capped the 38-20 victory with a 35 yard field goal. With two preseason games remaining, Saints coaches and fans have a couple of interesting battles that warrant close examination: First the Chase Daniel/Patrick Ramsey fight for 2nd string quarterback, and secondly, the P.J. Hill/Chris Ivory running back dual for a roster spot. Guaranteed to intrigue every Saints fan.
If you haven’t heard the news about Parasol’s yet, Big Daddy brings the scoop to you now. A couple from Clearwater, Florida bought the historic Irish Channel landmark located on the corner of Constance and Third streets, out-bidding current proprietors Jeff and Jaimee Carreras (who have run the business since December of 1998) offer to purchase the building from landlord Billy Hock. The news of the name “Parasol’s” staying at 2533 Constance St. hit Jeff where it hurts. The Carreras’ plan to open one block away at 2604 Magazine St., where the Irish Garden bar and restaurant had most recently occupied. Jeff and Jaimee will name their new place Tracey’s, which was the establishment’s original name prior Parasol’s 1952 birth. Ironically, Tracey’s relocated to the same spot Jeff and Jaimee are moving to in 1949. Even though the recipes, the staff, and memorabilia are all moving to the new location, don’t miss the chance to take some pictures, buy some Parasol’s merchandise, get one last Parasol’s roast beef before the end of the month. Parasol’s loyal patrons will take part in a second line farewell march to Tracey’s on Sunday afternoon around 3 o’clock. What a great send off, so get off the couch and make sure you’re in that number. You might even get to meet Big Daddy.
Come back to this site for next week’s edition of the Section 645 Saints Beat, when Big Daddy recaps the San Diego (Is that German for a whale’s vagina?), reports from Section 645, attends Parasol’s second line farewell, and critiques Harry Shearer’s new documentary named, “ The Big Uneasy.” Don’t forget to support Gulf Coast Restoration, purchase Saints Super Bowl ring raffle tickets at: www.celebritiesforcharity.org/raffle/Saints-Gulf-Coast-Renewal-Raffle. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the guy strolling into Barely Legal with “Snoop Dogg gangsta” status? Now Big Daddy releases his World Famous Pregame Information: — Go Over 44 —
