Disgraceful...

[randilover]

Was it just me, or did having the Saints play a "home" game at their opponents home seem like the NFL blew it? Ever since they announced it a few weeks ago, I did not like the idea.

Commentators here in Philly were saying the more appropriate thing to do was to have them play in Philly at the Linc, that way they would have gotten a crowd rooting (at least) against the Giants. Instead, the NFL subjects the Saints to humiliation on MNF in front of an away crowd. Wouldn't it have been just as easy to schedule the game at LSU, or the Linc, and not seem like they were cattering to NY and a big market?

I think the NFL is one of the best organizations on the planet with how they run their business, but they messed up on this one. It might have even meant a lot more money for the relief to have people get behind the team that was disadvantaged by seeing a crowd behind that team.

Quotes from players:
"They made this seem like the Super Bowl. We played a team that outplayed us today, but it was way overdone. Setting up a stage, traveling out here, was uncalled for. Try not to patronize us next time, traveling us to New York, saying we're playing a home game." Aaron Brooks
"We were in the visiting locker room, on the visiting field. It seemed like an away game.'' Jim Haslett
"That's one of the loudest I've heard the stadium in a long time, and it wasn't even full,'' As players, we hear that and it really helps us out.'' Jeremy Shockey

[Burt the Butcher]

I totally agree. I think the Giants are the better team, but still, the extra travel and all. They could have played the game in Houston, where there are 100,000 NO residents staying, given away the tickets to those good folks, and had a REAL home/away game. Tagliaboo is a fool who needs to get in the unemployment line right behind Selig!!

[The Immortal Ramirez]

Agreed. Bad decision by the NFL. I like the Houston idea

[Nittany Dodgers]

Was the Houston option really an option? Did they offer up the stadium? From what I remember, no one knew where the game would be played, and the Meadowlands offered up their stadium as an option. In the grand sceme of things, there were bigger issues to deal with than where to play the football game. The whole Saints' season is fubarred, and in reality, until they can get organized enough to figure out where their own games are going to be played, they are at the mercy of who can host them.

PLay in Houston? For free? So what revenue will pay for the cost it takes to run an NFL game in a stadium? Are you going to have concessions? Security? Electricity? Or should the NFL foot the bill of the hurricane?

[Royal Hawaiian Opihi]

I like the idea of having the game in an NFC East opponent's venue... that would have been awesome!

[Burt the Butcher]

Originally Posted by Nittany Dodgers

Was the Houston option really an option? Did they offer up the stadium? From what I remember, no one knew where the game would be played, and the Meadowlands offered up their stadium as an option. In the grand sceme of things, there were bigger issues to deal with than where to play the football game. The whole Saints' season is fubarred, and in reality, until they can get organized enough to figure out where their own games are going to be played, they are at the mercy of who can host them.

PLay in Houston? For free? So what revenue will pay for the cost it takes to run an NFL game in a stadium? Are you going to have concessions? Security? Electricity? Or should the NFL foot the bill of the hurricane?

I am not sure if the Texans or the city of Houston actually offered up the use of their stadium, but precedent had already been set when SD had to play a home game in Arizona against Miami in 2003 during the SoCal fires. I believe they gave away all the tickets to that game. I am not sure how they swung it financially, but they did it with less than 2 days notice.

[Nittany Dodgers]

Originally Posted by Burt the Butcher

I am not sure if the Texans or the city of Houston actually offered up the use of their stadium, but precedent had already been set when SD had to play a home game in Arizona against Miami in 2003 during the SoCal fires. I believe they gave away all the tickets to that game. I am not sure how they swung it financially, but they did it with less than 2 days notice.

I tried to see how that decision was arrived at, but the stories I can find make it sound like Tagliabue forced the decision. But yes they did give away the tickets for free.

I don't know. I guess it has been done before, but maybe it didn't go as smoothly as they hoped, so they wanted to avoid that situation again. I really don't know. Regardless, while moving to the opponents stadium isn't idea, I find it hardless disgraceful. Heck, the Saints don't have much of a chance to do much this season no matter what. Also, they were 3-5 at home last season and 5-3 on the road. Playing at the Superdome hasn't exactly been like playing at Lambeau in 40 degree weather for the Packers.

Here is what I heard on this.

First of all they had NO time to make the decision. Because of the logistics they could not wait to see how extensive the damage was. This ruled out LSU.

There were a couple other venues considered, but they wanted to go with a stadium that already host NFL games. This ruled out places like San Antonio.

Houston could not be used because at the time there was discussion of it possibly being used for evacuees.

Philly might have been a decent option, but they were hoping that New York City fans would feel some sort of commradarie (sp?) towards New Orleans because both cities had been through disasters.

Not defending the league, but they had to make a decision fast. Hindsight blurs the picture somewhat.

[Doggler]

Bigger things to worry about.

[randilover]

Oh, I don't doubt that rushing the decision had something to do with how it was played, but if the sub-par educated middle class of Philly (Hey, yo, Angelo, why'd the G'ints need an extra home game this year) could come up with the idea of having it in a divison rivals stadium (how about DAL, same affect would have applied), why can't the NFL?

Not much you can do at this point. Shame of it is that CAR seemed to welcome NO rather fondly, and NY really didn't seem to do the same.