Saints reserves flexed their muscles down the stretch Friday night, obvious bench-strength improvements on defense and running back certainly complement the NFL’s most prolific offense looking toward the upcoming 2010 campaign. Leigh Torrence’s and Chris Ivory’s fourth quarter fireworks shattered the Chargers’ dreams of a happy Big Easy ending. That won’t be the case for the thousands of black leather clad visitors (accented by purple and powder blue feathers) prancing through the Vieux Carre this Labor Day weekend. Enterprising Marigny and Bywater lads who took advantage shake-weight TV offers will see the Fruits of Labor come to fruition during the annual Southern Decadence extravaganza. In this week’s edition the Section 645 Saints Beat, Big Daddy celebrates Ben Sherman’s 40th Birthday, second lines at Parasol’s, reports from Section 645, recaps the San Diego game, remembers Hurricane Katrina, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.
Renowned Kingpin owner and $ Thousand Car bassist icon, Steve Watson organized a surprise 40th Birthday Bash for Ben Sherman (his Kingpin partner-in-crime) on Saturday. Ben’s chest grab and the shocked look on his face when he entered the Martinque Bistro reminded Big Daddy of Fred Sanford proclaiming: “Elizabeth I’m coming to join you honey!” The Kingpin all-star lineup began a memorable day with a special “Sherm” Martinque lunch menu. Legendary chefs Eric LaBouchere and Nat Carrier redefined the term “fine dining experience.” The food was so awesome, it would have had Emeril Lagasse wondering how to duplicate such perfection. Thank you so much guys. Unfortunately, Mother Nature washed out our Lakewood golf outing, and there was no availability at any area bowling alleys— so did what we do best, bar hopped across Uptown (courtesy of our wonderful chauffeur, Tamme), finally settling in at Parasol’s to waste away the afternoon. The Kingpin became the medicated delegation’s last destination, where Ben delivered a endearing speech thanking his Mom, Steve, the Kingpin staff, and all of his friends for helping him turn 40 like a champion.
Parasol’s second line/Jazz funeral farewell procession led by Jeff and Jaimee Carreras (Parasol’s proprietors since 1998) on Sunday afternoon that symbolically laid to rest possibly New Orleans’ most iconic neighborhood watering hole. The march circled the block and marked the new beginning of Tracey’ s four doors down from their old 2533 Constance Street location. Seeing all the old faces from years gone by really kicked Big Daddy’s emotions into high gear. Big Daddy’ s posse ordered lunch and wolfed it down in the dining room. Tim’s kitchen staff churned out chicken wings and four delicious po-boys in record time. Man that roast beef was good! Parasol’s regulars froze those precious last moments in time by taking pictures more often than Lindsay Lohan checks into drug rehab. While hanging out at the bar Saturday, Steve Watson asked, “What’s was your favorite Parasol’s story?” Big Daddy knew meeting Eloise (his amazing and beautiful bride) was the immediate answer, but there are so many memories etched in Big Daddy’s mind, there’s simply too many to mention. So here are some treasured gems Big Daddy will never forget: screaming at televised sporting events with Whit, John, Bitter Mike, and Bernard, shooting tequila with Frankie on Wednesday-Saturday night, happy hours with Debbie, Tuesday nights with Kevin, Saturdays with Johanna, Monday and Tuesday lunches with Goldie, and of course Sundays with Rich. Totally Awesome! The two greatest Saints moments were Brian Milne’s muff recovery when Hakim dropped the ball in 2000 to cement the franchise’s first playoff win, and on September 8, 2002 (the NFL’s opening day) the Saints locked in a crucial division battle against Tampa Bay. The kick covering genius Fred McAfee’s immanent punt block pressure forced Buccaneer punter Tom Tupa into an ugly, ill-advised desperation pass that Saints linebacker James Allen snagged out of the air in the end zone, to defeat Jon Gruden’s hated squad 26-20 in overtime. The Bucs went on to capture the Lombardi trophy that year. That special teams touchdown roar was probably the loudest Big Daddy ever experienced at Parasol’s. Goodbye old friend, you will be sorely missed.
But I digress. Back to Friday’s game, Section 645 overwhelmed Big Daddy’s very special guest, Jeff Watkins on Friday night. Jeff loved Big Daddy’s slice of Crescent City heaven due to the amazing ability to watch plays develop from row 22. Naturally, 645 regulars welcomed a new face to socialize with, row 24 members taught Jeff about an obscure peanut eating superstition, concerning cracking nuts before the fourth quarter begins. Entertainment comes in many different forms when you reside in Section 645. Whether it’s the Saints making big plays, the colorful metaphors expressed on controversial zebra calls, or the way the upper deck ladies dress to impress, you’ll never leave that magical Dome spot without getting your money’s worth. Now that the preseason practice runs are done, returning to the Superdome next time means Section 645 will flip on the weapons hot switch, and Big Daddy can’t wait!
The game recap begins with San Diego Quarterback Philip Rivers using 12 plays to cover 82 yards on the game’s opening possession, former LSU standout Jacob Hester stuck the ball over the goal line to put the Bolts up 7-0 early. Drew Brees threw 46-yard prayer; Devery Henderson’s tip drill exhibited his version of end zone performance art, tying the game 7-7 after one. Robert Meacham put the Saints on top 14-7, when he capped an 80-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown reception. The Chargers knotted the contest 14-14 on Rivers’ 9-yard TD toss to Malcolm Floyd. Garrett Hartley’s 40-yard 3-pointer sent the Saints to the halftime break ahead 17-14. Hartley tacked on 3 more, splitting the uprights from 27 yards out to give the Saints 20-14 advantage heading to the fourth. Chris Ivory solidified a roster spot, electrifying the crowd with his remarkable 76-yard screen pass from backup QB Patrick Ramsey. Since the 2-point try failed, the Saints led 26-14 with 7:18 left on the game clock. Charger veteran reserve QB Billy Volek’s 1-yard sneak closed the gap to 26-21. Hartley connected again, this time from 35 yards out, stretching the Saints lead to 29-21 late. Leigh Torrence preserved New Orleans’ victory, intercepting Volek’s woeful wounded duck effort, Torrence’s subsequent 87-yard touchdown return produced the 36-21 final.
Now that Hurricane Katrina’s 5th anniversary has passed, what more can be said about those dark days? Katrina’s aftermath will never be forgotten by anyone who suffered those awful months that seemed to last an eternity. Who could forget the awful smell, the black gunk left behind by the flood waters, downed trees blocking nearly all streets, the sight of rancid refrigerators taped shut in front houses, blue tarps protecting damaged roofs, people forced to live substandard FEMA trailers, mountains of debris in front of gutted homes, no electricity, no hospitals, severe gas shortages, gas cans strapped to vehicles, no grocery stores, very few restaurants, no schools, dusk-to-dawn curfews, and the Saints like thousands of residents exiled in another state. Unless you’re talking to a person who lived through the nightmare, don’t expect anyone to ever fully understand how brutal it was. Residents of Southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast learned how weak America really was to long before any housing bubble, or economic downturn. Spike Lee’s documentaries demonstrated how painful the suffering countless Katrina victims began enduring on August 29, 2005, those mental and emotional scars may never completely heal, but we can’t dwell on the past any longer— Life must go on! Now that the BP’s oil spill is finally capped, we have a new energetic mayor, and Saints looking to repeat, New Orleans is on top of this imperfect world.
Check out next week’s installment of the Section 645 Saints Beat, when Big Daddy recaps the Tennessee preseason finale, delivers a live Kingpin report, forecasts the 2010 Saints season, examines the futures of head coaches Les Miles and Bob Toledo, predicts the results to expect out of LSU and Tulane football, reviews Harry Shearer’s documentary “The Big Uneasy,” and exposes the debauchery of the Southern Decadence parade. Hey, if you’re not up to speed on valuable Saints trivia, log on to: www. NOSaintsHistory.com. Honeys around town will definitely notice the new found confidence you exude. Now Big daddy releases his World Famous Pregame Information: — Take the Saints plus 7.5 —
