Here we go again, New Orleans.
The New Orleans Saints have evacuated the Big Easy in advance of Tropical Storm Isaac. The team flew to Cincinnati on Monday where they will practice before their preseason game against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. If this scenario sounds familiar, it should. Seven years ago, the Saints were in a similar situation.
Katrina
As a New Orleans resident and diehard Saints fan, football was the last thing I was worried about on August 28, 2005. Unfortunately, the Saints did not have the luxury of putting football out of their minds as I did. After a home preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Saints evacuated New Orleans for California.
New Orleans' final preseason game of 2005 has to be the least watched road game in franchise history. I didn't see it either as the hotel in West Memphis, Arkansas didn't broadcast the game. On Thursday night, New Orleans lost to the Oakland Raiders 13-6.
Isaac
As Isaac approaches the Louisiana coast, there is nothing to indicate this storm will be anything like Hurricane Katrina. Unlike the Saints, I did not leave New Orleans in advance of Isaac. But even if the Superdome isn't blown apart and the Saints don't play a "home game" in Carolina, one has to wonder how much stress this team can handle.
If a quick trip to Cincinnati to avoid Isaac was the Saints' only problem, then there wouldn't be a problem. But long before Isaac formed in the Atlantic, Roger Goodell slammed the organization with penalties in the alleged bounty scandal, ESPN accused Mickey Loomis of wiretapping, and most of the linebackers got injured.
However, just as there are few similarities between Katrina and Isaac, there is little in common between this team and the squad from 2005. New Orleans did have a handful of stars such as Joe Horn and Deuce McAllister. But today, Drew Brees will keep the Saints focused on the task of winning another Super Bowl.
Roger Goodell's penalties will not stop this team from achieving its goals and neither will Isaac.
Patrick Michael lives in New Orleans and has always been a big fan of the New Orleans Saints. Patrick's favorite Saints season was 2009 when New Orleans won Super Bowl 44. Follow Patrick Michael on Twitter at patmichael84.
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