Saints, Patriots practice
Bill Belichick has contacted the New Orleans Saints about practicing with his New England Patriots prior to their preseason game on August 9. The Saints and Patriots practiced together in 2010. As a Saints fan who has endured the offseason in New Orleans, I can only imagine how much fun some NFL fans would have with these practices.
New Orleans Saints
Back in March, New Orleans was accused of running a "pay for performance" system. As punishment, Saints coaches and players were suspended, the team was fined and New Orleans lost draft picks. The Saints players are still appealing their suspensions, but I don't expect Roger Goodell to show any leniency in this regard.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots were disciplined by the NFL for illegally videotaping New York Jets coaching signals. Compared to the Saints, the Patriots got off easy. New England head coach Bill Belichick and his team were both fined and the Patriots lost a first round draft pick.
"Gate Town"
Some NFL fans have taken a sinister delight in reveling in the travails of the Patriots and Saints. I can only imagine some of the derisive names that would be given to a joint practice session between New England and New Orleans. Gatetown, Gateville and Cheat City are mild compared to what some fans may concoct.
I'm sure the New Orleans haters will be warning New England to beware of bounties being placed on Tom Brady's head at practice. Then New Orleans will be accused of targeting Patriots TE Jake Ballard and his ACL injury. If Mickey Loomis is at the practice sessions, some fans will be looking to see if he has an ear piece attached to a wire.
New England's haters will be scouring the practice area for cameras to make sure the Patriots aren't filming the Saints' coaching signals. Of course, the practice sessions would be in advance of a preseason game so I'm sure New England would love to get an advantage by learning how to decipher New Orleans' coaching signals.
Hopefully, I've gotten all the bad jokes out of the way in case the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots do practice together. However, I'm sure it will all start up again if the Saints and Patriots meet in Super Bowl 47. Actually, a Super Bowl between New Orleans and New England would drive the haters crazy!
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.
Source
"New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints talk joint practice," nfl.com
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