New Orleans Saints Football
Coming off a season of high expectations that fell short, the New Orleans Saints enter the 2008 pre-season and regular season with more offensive and defensive weapons than they had on the field and on the bench the year before. A cadre of returning starters with another year of experience behind them is expected to take the lead in showing the newcomers – rookies, as well as veterans acquired elsewhere in the NFL – how the team can return to the winning ways of its stellar 2006 season.
Acquisitions of key players such as three-time All-Pro tight end Jeremy Shockey from the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants and 2004 All-Pro linebacker Jonathan Vilma from the New York Jets, plus half a dozen promising draft selections, Saints fans hope, will put them back in contention in the NFC South this year. Returning veterans like Drew Brees, directing the offense at quarterback, the dual backfield of Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister and the wide receiver corps led by Marques Colston are expected to put points on the board, while a solid defensive line is expected to keep opponents’ points off the board. Great things are anticipated from kicker Martin Gramatica who starred with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys before his arrival in Saints Land, and the special teams are expected to do their part as well. Coach Sean Payton, entering his third season with the hometown boys, remains as focused as ever on his mission to bring a championship team to a city that has never had one.
The home schedule for the Saints in 2008 is as follows:
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2008 PRESEASON HOME GAMES |
Saturday, August 16 |
Houston Texans |
7 p.m. |
Thursday, August 28 |
Miami Dolphins |
7 p.m. |
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2008 REGULAR SEASON HOME GAMES |
Sunday, September 7 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
1 p.m. |
Sunday, September 28 |
San Francisco 49ers |
1 p.m. |
Monday, October 6 |
Minnesota Vikings |
8:30 p.m. |
Sunday, October 12 |
Oakland Raiders |
1 p.m. |
Monday, November 24 |
Green Bay Packers |
8:30 p.m. |
Sunday, December 7 |
Atlanta Falcons |
1 p.m. |
Sunday, December 28 |
Carolina Panthers |
1 p.m. |
All home games are played at the Louisiana Superdome on Sugar Bowl Drive, just off Poydras Street downtown. For ticket prices, information and reservations call (504) 731-1700 or email www.NewOrleansSaints.com/tickets.
By Dean M. Shapiro |
