New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are an American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They play in the NFC South in the National Football League. The Saints home stadium has been the Louisiana Superdome since 1975. Between 1967 when the team was founded until 1974, their home base was Tulane Stadium on the Tulane University campus. After the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, the Saints 2005 home games were split between the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and LSU’s Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana except for their opening game, which was played at Giants Stadium in New York. The Louisiana Superdome was renovated and the Saints returned to the Superdome for the 2006 season.

The team was named for the world famous jazz anthem, “When the Saints Go Marching In”. The team’s colors, black and gold, symbolize strong ties to the oil (black gold) industry. Al Hirt, trumpeter and part owner of the Saints, also has the distinction of his rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In” being the official fight song of the team.

The New Orleans Saints head coach is Sean Payton, 14th since the teams beginning. At the end of his first season, he was voted the Coach of the Year. This is the beginning of his fourth season and he is one of the most successful coaches in the team’s history. This also marks his 13th season in the NFL and his 21st year in coaching. Payton stresses responsibility, character, and accountability with the team. He has rebuilt the roster and gathered a staff of coaches who push the fundamentals. As the team prepares for the 2009 season there are only 8 players remaining from the team that Payton inherited.

In 2008, they ranked number one in the NFL in total offense. Last season they also set team records for points (463), total yards (6,571), net passing yards (4,977), touchdowns (57) and first downs (354). Among the players to keep an eye on this year are Drew Brees, Mark Brunnel, Mike Bell, Lynell Hamilton, Marques Colston, Robert Meacham, Garrett Hartley, Thomas Morstead, Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Chris Reis. Be sure to stand and cheer when the Saints go marching in!