Les Leonard's New Orleans Saints fan blog

     Big Daddy's spectacular Halloween weekend could not have ended any better than with a Darren Sharper pick to clinch the victory against the hated Dirty Birds on Monday night. Don’ t you feel sorry for people around the country living in cultureless gated communities whose neighbors are from anywhere USA, half of which will move within a year chasing a more lucrative job to fulfill the false illusion of sprawling malls, 401(k)s, mortgages, car payments, and college funds which define success in today’ s misguided America? In this edition on the Section 645 Saints Beat, Big Daddy thanks the Kingpin, reports from Section 645, recaps Monday night, covers the Voodoo Music Experience, plus gives a special Halloween report from Frenchmen St., and releases his

Continue reading "Big Daddy’s Unforgettable Halloween:"

     The Saints unbelievably exciting come-from-behind victory forces Big Daddy to start working on his Super Bowl Shuffle, preparing for the Black ’n’ Gold’ s next visit to South Beach— in early February. Boy, things looked bleak until Drew Brees’ touchdown just before halftime sparked an amazing turn of events. Having a record of 5-0 following our destruction of the vaunted Giants felt great, but the Saints late afternoon fish fry had Little Havana muttering all sorts of Cuban expletives. In this week’ s edition of Saints Beat, Big Daddy describes the Kingpin’ s atmosphere, recaps the Miami game, reports the action from South Beach, covers the AC/DC concert, asks for the community’s help, and releases his

Continue reading "Big Daddy Handles The South Beach Dress Rehearsal:"

     Big Daddy has a new appreciation for Frank Sinatra's famous New York, New York hit after the Saints completed their domination of the New York triangle. First they sent Buffalo to a watery grave over Niagara Falls, then put the Jets into an uncontrollable tall spin, and finally turned those scary Giants into frozen peas. Are you smiling, Big Daddy can't stop laughing out loud. In this week’ s edition of Saints Beat, Big Daddy covers President Obama’ s Crescent City visit, recaps the Giants’ game, reports from Section 645, checks out “Steven Seagal’ s Lawman,” and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.

     President Barack Obama finally brought Air Force One back to the Chocolate City for a whirlwind 3.5 hour visit. President Obama stopped in briefly at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School to encourage the students to “be the best they can be.” Do you think any of those students’ parents held their children out of school that day? Obama’s motorcade then made its way to UNO for a town hall meeting. The president introduced everyone on the stage including Gov. Bobby Jindal, who got booed out of the arena— that was funny. Mayor C. Ray Nagin even flew in from Dallas for the event. Obama promised to rebuild the region and Big Easy stronger than before, but he actually focused more on his health care agenda. Strangely, unlike prior presidents, he didn’t enjoy a sit down meal in the food capitol of the world. Instead the pres requested a fantastic to go meal from the legendary local chef Leah Chase. Her incredible menu included: jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp Creole, and, of course, fried chicken to satisfy the chief executive’s hunger pains. Thank goodness the local stations aired Obama’s speech because CNN and Fox News decided to broadcast the Falcon “The Balloon Boy” Heene hoax. Don’t you love today’s sensationalism? Walter Cronkite is rolling over his grave. Americans should demand excellence from journalists, but they’d rather hear out about the new tattoo on Brittney Spears’ ass.

Continue reading "Big Daddy Celebrates Owning The Big Apple:"

     Big Daddy felt more dazed and confused than Guantanamo Bay detainees suffering through a week without Saints football. LSU failed to fill the enormous void, thanks to awful play-calling and a pathetic performance by quarterback Jordan Jefferson. As LSU tailgating reached an apogee, the Tiger faithful hoped for another memorable night in Death Valley. Unfortunately, Jefferson’s reaction time was slower than that of George W. Bush when aides told him the nation was under attack. Thank the sweet Lord Jesus for Drew Brees. In this week’s edition of Saints Beat, Big Daddy covers President Obama’s visit, critiques Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer, recaps the Florida/LSU game, analyzes LSU Head Coach Les Miles, trashes today’s officiating, reminisces the night of September 29,1979, and releases his

Continue reading "Big Daddy Survives The Bye Week"

     Sunday’s rain showers didn’t slow down Black ’n’ Gold tailgaters readying themselves for battle. Entering the Superdome, Big Daddy encountered Jets fans displaying their typically rude, loud-mouthed New York attitudes, demonstrating why many despise New Yorkers. Cocky Jets fans’ relentless attempts to diminish Who Dat intensity were less effective than the Army Corps’ levees. After the Saints forced Jets fans to “eat it!” all day, those Yankees had nothing to say. In this week’s edition of Saints Beat, Big Daddy denounces Mayor C. Ray Nagin, reports from Section 645, recaps the New York Jets game, laughs at the NFL’s new policy, covers the 15th annual Gretna Heritage Festival, and release his

Continue reading "Big Daddy Screams For Defense"

     Sunday’s 3 o’clock start allowed Big Daddy extra time to properly prepare for a tough road test. Monday morning smiles around the Big Easy has made work so much easier as the Saints continue marching through the NFL almost as quick as than Mayor C. Ray Nagin accepts free first class vacations to Hawaii and the Bahamas from “friends.” In this week’s edition of Saints Beat, Big Daddy reports from the Kingpin, applauds David Vitter's morality, recaps the Buffalo game, embraces Sean Payton’s decision, criticizes public officials, and releases his World famous Pregame Information.

     The Kingpin set the stage for another mind-blowing experience, as the Saints ascended into the NFC South’s top spot. New Orleans Country Club Banquet Chef David “Fine Dinin’ Dave” Wright laid out an outstanding six course meal worthy of Crescent City royalty, which consisted of slow cooked (12 hours) beef brisket, smashed potatoes, ranch-style baked beans, cornbread muffins, cold slaw, and homemade chocolate chips cookies. The Kingpin’s diehard Saints fans always pack the city’s finest venue to yell for the Black ’n’ Gold. Waiting for reasons to explode, the raucous crowd utilized Dave’s awesome eats to fuel deafening eruptions. Rivaling Section 645 insanity, Pierre Thomas’s deal sealing run rocked Uptown so hard that unsuspecting yats felt the tremors in Chalmette. Intense emotional outbursts create unforgettable memories which remind us that living life to the fullest defines a truly great human existence.

Continue reading "Big Daddy Says “Ask And You Shall Receive”"

     Experienced Big Daddy readers know a Saints road trip means a Kingpin blowout. Sunday’s relentless beat-down served notice to the football world that the Saints Are Coming! Perhaps Fats Domino’s old hit song “Blue Monday” soothed the City of Brotherly Love after the Saints took the Eagles to the woodshed Sunday. In this week’s Saints Beat edition, Big Daddy thanks the Kingpin, salutes Marlon Gusman, recaps the Philadelphia game, asks where’s the pass rush, recalls 1993, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.

     The Kingpin’s visionary management organized an incredible throw down to celebrate the season’s first away game. Just like Section 645 brings out uncontrollable emotional outbursts, electricity in the Kingpin’s air recreates that feeling deep down in your gut. Customary pregame activities and extreme game-watching conditions produce painful stomach-groaning munchies. Martinque Bistro’s Master Chefs Eric Labouchere and Nat Carrier used their superior skills to settle the crowd’s hunger pains, keeping the Who Dats screaming “Pummel!” all day long. Eric and Nat’s mouth-watering dishes included: lobster truffle Mac & cheese, smoked ribs, andouille sausage baked beans, siracha pepper chicken wings, and pulled pork pastries— Totally Awesome! The incredible feast was more impressive than the Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ cage dancers.

Continue reading "Big Daddy Kicks Off Kingpin Season"

     The Pontchartrain Expressway presented perfect shelter form Sunday’s downpours. Big Daddy’s entourage enjoyed the bridge planers’ vision, who included such wonderful amenities in their design, allowing us to complete vital pregame activities. Hopefully, Sunday’s monsoon will give future outdoor stadium developers less credibility than Chinese dry wall manufacturers. This week Big Daddy’s Saints Beat blog criticizes LSU’s ultimatum, meets Bobby Hebert, describes Section 645’s vibe, recaps the Detroit game, forecasts the 2009 Saints season, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.

     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!

Continue reading "Big Daddy’s Wet & Wild Adventure:"

     Was it Halloween or Mardi Gras last Thursday night? Guys dressed like football players displaying Arena League talent tortured Saints fans worse than a Abu Grab sleepover. Preseason finales produce yawning spells throughout entire stadiums, while TV viewers simply flip to the Food Network. Big Daddy knows that football squads become cohesive units when coaches drill every offensive play and defensive scheme into players’ heads. Practicing each playbook entry until everything runs smoother than James Bond operating in a singles bar. This week’s Section 645 Saints Beat questions America’s direction, recaps the Miami game, discusses the NFL’s preseason history, examines Gregg Williams’ new defense, covers the Southern Decadence Festival and releases his

Continue reading "Big Daddy Says Lets Get It On:"

     Big Daddy never really experienced getting high on life until doubling his pleasure Saturday afternoon by watching the Saints pummel Oakland while enjoying the eye-popping sights and awesome slides of Gulf Islands Water Park. What a day! Dominance this preseason has Saints fans placing wagers on their heroes to win their first Lombardi trophy. Big Daddy says if you got the money— Do it! If not, just relish the extra bounce in your step. In this third edition 2009, Section 645 Saints Beat covers the Charity Hospital saga, discusses new traffic laws, recaps the Oakland game, forecasts LSU and Tulane football, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.

     Last week LSU, Tulane, and Governor Bobby Jindal signed a deal to replace Charity Hospital. Governor Jindal believes remodeling Charity would be a terrible mistake. The proposed $1.2-billion 424-bed teaching hospital to be located somewhere in lower Mid-City. Hey Bobby, did you ever hear that size matters? Your itty-bitty facility will never satisfy community needs. Monday, 1200 demonstrators led by the Rebirth and Hot 8 Brass bands second lined in front of the iconic Charity landmark showing their frustration because elected officials never do what the public wants. If Edwin Edwards still governed us, Charity’s doors would be open today, bogging down federal agents trying to count the bribes collected by Fast Eddie enterprises. Providing safe medical and psychiatric care to lower income patients is an essential feature in a western civilization. Four years post-Katrina, and your useless proposal being rammed down our throats won’t even open until 2013. Pathetic! What happened to leaders who got things done?     

Continue reading "Big Daddy’s Got A Feeling:"