What is it with Canadian cities chasing pro-sports franchises anyway?
A report surfaced last night in the Score, a Canadian sports network, that Toronto councillor Doug Ford is talking NFL relocation. Relocation of a franchise to the "Great White North".
Ford tells the score "They have to take care of the problem in Los Angeles first". But also adds: At least two cities teams are in play for them after that...and neither of them is the speculated one, Buffalo. Ford says "Two teams are kind of in play here: Jacksonville's number one; New Orleans is the other. So there's two teams."
Read the entire article from thescore.com RIGHT HERE
Hmmm. While we find this story very interesting. We don't think there is any truth to it, it's mostly speculation on Ford's part. We get the premise that there may, in time be franchise relocation, but we don't believe that Canada will be the primary target. The Toronto Jaguars? Naw, just don't see that.
As for the Saints. Absolutely no way. At one point there was discussion about them relocating, back in the Katrina era, but that ain't happening now.
Either way, it is an interesting topic of discussion. So if you read this and are interested in discussing, then by all means: discuss.
They never made a video for this, but click on it and listen while you read the story, it will add to the effect. Plus it has Geddy Lee from Rush singing:
Yes, the Seattle Seahawks and the Silver Surfer were double-digit underdogs. No, they didn't give a tinker's damn what any of us thought, and if anyone ((translation- everyone)) bet against them- they lost...
Matt Hasselbeck threw 4 TD's and Marshawn Lynch scored on a 67-yard run with a little over three minutes left to clinch the first playoff victory by a losing team.
The Seahawks (now 8-9), the first division winner with a losing record, will play either at top-seeded Atlanta or Number 2 Chicago...
Here's Marshawn Lynch masquerading as a quality NFL running back...
We say that because TLB (The Lovely Bride) and I were at the Saints/Bengals game, despite the 29 degree weather, 10-15mph winds and blowing snow flurries. We wanted to experience an outdoor game in December, and boy did we get one.
It's funny, after living in Cincinnati for over a year, we don't know exactly why...or how the local populace is attached to their team. Sure, the NFL is much bigger in Ohio and most parts Northeast/Midwest, but most--well some of those cities have team that have been successful. The Bengals. Not so much.
We went to the game mostly to see the Saints. TLB is from Louisiana and grew up a huge fan. But then again most Louisiana folk are hardcore football fans, be it the Saints or LSU. If you don't believe me, try going down there during football season.
The Bengals on the other hand, for the most part have been pretty bad. Pretty bad for a long, long time. Sure, they played in the Super Bowl twice in the '80's, but they haven't sniffed it since. They had a pretty good 2009 season, but nobody knew how or why. This year...has been back to reality. They came into the game 2-9 and fading...fast.
TLB was cold but enjoyed the game/Courtesy: Me
Probably because of the weather, the game started slow. The Saints moved it right down the field the 1st time they got it, stalled and kicked a field goal. The Bengals didn't do much better. Halftime, it was 13-6 and nobody really seemed to be in control.
It picked up a bit in the 3rd. Chris Ivory, a free agent running back for the Saints, well, the Bengals couldn't stop him. 2 Rushing TD's, 117 yards on only 15 carries. He scored and then the guy allegedly brought in to put the Bengals over the top, Terrell Owens caught at TD pass. A missed extra point and we are looking at a 20-12 game after 3.
The final quarter got a little busier. Cedric Benson ran in two 2 TD's for the Bengals as they suddenly started to use the guys they had on offense the right way. It would be the only time all day they did that. They threw short and some longer, timing passes mixed in with Benson running. They moved it pretty well. Inexplicably, that wouldn't continue.
The Saints hung tough, but a 47-yard field goal by Clint Stinser, who missed an extra point earlier, suddenly put the Bengals in the lead. That wouldn't last long.
Drew Brees had 4:20 to move the Saints in for the game winner. And as usual, he delivered, though not without some help.
Yeah, I wear sunglasses for everything/Courtesy: TLB
Less than a minute to go. The Saints have the ball. 4th down and 2. They line up to go for it. Half the crowd, which was about 20,000 short of a sellout, couldn't figure it out. They were going to make the Bengals jump offside or they would run down the clock and call time out. Pick the former.
Nose Tackle Pat Sims jumps offside. Saints ball on the 3. The next play, Brees hits Marques Colston in front of his guy in the end zone. Game over. Or was it?
For some reason, the Saints kicked the ball to Bernard Scott who returned the ball to midfield. A 14-yard completion got the Bengals inside the 40. Rather than use their timeout, since they needed a touchdown and the play was stopped with 14-seconds to go, the Bengals frantically tried to run up and spike the ball before finally calling the timeout with 8-seconds left.
The last second throw to the end zone. It never happened. Carson Palmer was sacked. Game over Saints win 34-30.
It's hard to describe the looks on the Bengals fans faces at the end of the game. They just kind of quietly shook their heads and walked out of the stadium.
It will be very interesting to see what happens with this team after the season. There is some talent on the roster, but it hasn't been used very well. The coach, Marvin Lewis, his contract runs out after the season. There are tons of rumors he's done and they probably are true. The Bengals are one of the last teams run by a family and they aren't run well. They don't have the scouting resources or GM that other teams have. They do have a fanbase. One that would respond if prompted, but it doesn't look good. With the economic struggles in the area, an over-priced NFL ticket isn't that important to most. They put maybe 50,000 in Paul Brown Stadium Sunday (announced 59,000) and a lot of them left after half time. The team has some serious issues they need to address and if the league has a lockout, they may be one of the teams hurt the most.
Check out this interesting retrospective done by meaningfulcollateral.com. Interesting and they only go back to the 1990's.
I'm not sure we could think of a better candidate this year if we tried. Really, think about it. The guy is not only a Saint on the field, in New Orleans, he's a Saint off of it too.
In no short order, he made the Saints relevant. Heck, he got them a Super Bowl win. More importantly, he's embedded himself in the culture and fabric of a not-too long ago wrecked city. He's helped give a city without hope, hope.
Are we saying he's a miracle man? No. But we are saying that he's the true definition of a "Leader". He's the guy on his team who sets the tone. He's the guy who makes them tick. And, quite honestly, he's the guy, who if he chose to do it, would be voted the Mayor of the City....if he wanted to do it.
Here's the video story from the people who choose this, Sports Illustrated:
Is there any truth to the Madden curse? Is it like the Sports Illustrated curse only with injuries? Enquiring New Orleans Saints fans want to know.
Why do they want to know? Because the 2011 version of the all-knowing, immensely popular video game was released Tuesday morning....and Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is on the cover.
Bleacherreport.com explores the Madden curse RIGHT HERE
Sure, there is much celebrating that goes along with this honor, but you might want to add consternation to that list.
Why? Because traditionally, the cover boy doesn't have such a great year. Some have been injured and missed the season and some have just had bad season, but since 1999, almost nobody has done well.
We'll see if the curse lives with Brees. Of course the other issue that he may need to deal with is the Saints and the Super Bowl hangover. Most teams also don't do really well after that either.
Either way monitor and prepare...and if you are playing Fantasy Football and draft Brees...get a backup.
For the gamers...here is a review of the Demo from IGN LIVE. Thanks IGN Entertainment/YouTube:
The New Orleans Saints announced during a visit to areas affected in the Gulf of Mexico that it will hold a raffle for a chance to win one of their Super Bowl rings. Proceeds will go to help coastal renewal.
The team toured Fort Jackson, where animals covered in the weathered crude are being cleaned and nursed back to health.
Tickets for the raffle are $2 with a minimum ticket order being $10, QB Drew Brees said. The winner will be announced prior to the team’s September 9th home opener against Minnesota.
The website to purchase tickets will be www.saintsgulfcoastrenewal.org, according to Brees.
There's a reason behind the Evans' starting THAT foundation- Beth Ann was sexually abused herself by a 3rd-Grade classmate. Heath, once he found out about it, has tried to understand with Beth Ann what she's been through and how they can now help that cause...
One of our favorite weekly columns to read here at the OSG Satellite HQ is Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback on SI.com. We mention that because the esteemed Mr. King had an item in it today that we found very amusing...and worth repeating.
((Sean Payton likes his wine//Courtesy: BostonHearld.com))
The blurb that we are referring to is the Sean Payton mention on page 1. In it, the Saints Head Coach and his staff were having dinner at a Steakhouse in Indianapolis during the scouting combine. While there, Payton was informed that Jerry Jones was bringing his folks from the Cowboys for dinner the next night. It was also mentioned that Jones had requested a magnum of his a specific wine that he enjoyed.
Well, upon being informed of that, Payton decided he'd like to try the wine as well. He was informed the restaurant only had one bottle and they were holding it for Jones. Payton insisted and was brought the wine.
Afterwords, Payton apparently left a note on the label of the bottle and left it for the Cowboys the next night.
According to King, the bottle said: WHO DAT! World Champions XLIV Sean Payton.
Funny stuff, but it raises the obvious question...Will Jones look for revenge? Only time...and wine...will tell.
Here are some highlights of the Cowboys beating Payton and his Super Bowl Champs in Week 15...Thanks You Tube:
