Photo TR: The Saints Return to the Superdome

[stingrock23]

Well, the day finally arrived, Monday September 25th, the return of the Saints to New Orleans. It's now the best sporting event I've ever been to. I've been a Saints fan all my life, and have had season tickets for the past 4 years. With all that this city has been through, getting back inside that dome allowed us to all forget about all the problems, even if only for a few hours. The entire day was just electric, it was cool and breezy and a great day for football. I tailgated for awhile, then went inside at 5. It was just an amazing game from the getgo. Green Day and U2 were great, and the quick touchdown set the tone for the rest of the game. They played inspired and dominated all game long. It was just an unbeleivable day, and I'm glad I got to experience it. I also saw the best costume ever, it'll be in the pics below. Ok, enough ranting, onto the pics. Hope you enjoy.

And finally, hanks to the west coast for Reggie Bush. Hope you enjoyed the report.

Best game ever!

Saints win! Saints win!

Touchdoooowwwwnn Saints!

The dome is sold out for the entire year

Here they come!!

Another of Green Day and U2. They collaberated on a song just for this event.

Green Day and U2

It's been a while, but I'm finally back in my seat.

from the backside

Best. Costume. Ever.

Getting closer

TPR Exclusive, Superdome through the posts!

[ParkTrips]

 

Robb probably won't read this, but he would appreciate that!

[Hercules]

I don't know about the best game ever, but certainly a great time for the city and for football. That's awesome that you were there. I'm happy for your team. They are looking good.

 

Now I must go cry because I took Matt Hassleback out of my fantasy line-up this week for Vick and lost by .3.

[stingrock23]

Best game meaning the best game I've ever been to.

[weeow]

My little brother ruined it for me. He started saying how he was going for the Saints just because they were winning. I really hate it when he does that. I always go for the Saints. Except when they play Seattle. They will help New Orleans.

[Guest]

If you are a TRUE Saints fan, you will (or have already) send a thank-you note to Charley Casserly.

[Jew]

Honestly, wasn't there anything better to do with $150 million dollars?!?!

 

I mean, I know the sentimental value of rebuilding the Superdome and having a team to root for again, and you can even argue the revenue will help...but at the end of the day you're just lining the pockets of a dude who wanted to leave the city in the first place when there is A LOT more pressing needs.

 

Oh well. At least they have a USC player who is a fairly ridiculous talent.

[Hercules]

Best game meaning the best game I've ever been to.

 

I know. I was just teasing a little bit. No offense. I understood what you were saying.

[mcjaco]

^^ That's the million dollar question Joey. Rebuild the city and get the residents back, or rehab the Superdome. If you rehab the Superdome, you're going to draw tourists for sporting events, bringing them back to the French Quarter and, increasing revenue. Quite honestly, I think it was the better thing to do. I don't see the New Orleans residents coming back so, they needed to find some reason to get people to come back, be it for tourism, rather than rebuilding.

 

Personally, I thought the game kind of came off as fixed. Seriously, that was an arse whooping that should not have happened.

[Hercules]

I don't know. There are a lot of times that Vick and the Falcons have off games. I guess it was just an off game for them.

 

Jay "Naive since 1984" Willis

[stingrock23]

The money that was spent for the dome was specifically for the dome. A portion came from FEMA, a portion came from the NFL, and a portion came from insurance. Yes, the dome will host football games, but conventions are the biggest tourist draw for the city, and getting the dome back should help bring back all the tourists associated with the conventions. Since tourism is the main source of revenue for the city, it's imperative that we have the facilities ready to hold such events and bring the cash back to the city. Yes, there are still many problem areas that need to be fixed, but they're so large that it will take much more time to do so. After the past year of doom and gloom, the city needed something positive, and having the Saints back provided that spark and excitement, even if it's only for a few hours.

 

As for the game being fixed, that is the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard. First of all, there is no way the NFL would do something like that, as it would cast such a dark cloud over the sport. Despite what it would mean to the city to get a win, the NFL wouldn't dare do something like that, as it could ruin the entire league. The Falcons just happened to be the sacrificial lamb. There aren't many, if any, teams that would have beat the Saints monday, not with all that built-up emotion. It didn't help that the Falcons came out incredibly flat, but come on, give the Saints a little credit.

 

And when you've got a black and gold Optimus Prime in attendance, there's no way your team can lose.

[Meteornotes]

Michael Vick is one of the most overrated players in NFL history, so I was not surprised when the Saints crushed them on Monday.

 

dt

[Sir Clinksalot]

It had to be hard being the Falcons because you pretty much knew that everybody was rooting against you. I know I was definately pulling for the Saints on Monday.

 

And I agree with Dave ... Vick is HIGHLY overrated. I made the mistake of picking him in Fantasy Football a few years back and I got my ass kicked.

[mcjaco]

And when you've got a black and gold Optimus Prime in attendance, there's no way your team can lose.

 

I stand corrected. You are right!

[Hercules]

Michael Vick is one of the most overrated players in NFL history, so I was not surprised when the Saints crushed them on Monday.

 

dt

 

I actually think he is one of the most gifted players in NFL history....... just not at the quarterback position.

[Jew]

Yes, the dome will host football games, but conventions are the biggest tourist draw for the city, and getting the dome back should help bring back all the tourists associated with the conventions.

 

How is the rest of the infastructure doing? When they rebuilt the Superdome, did they also rebuild the rest of the infastructure (like hotels and transportation) required to host major conventions/events?

[mcjaco]

Hotels and the like were one of the first things that came back after Katrina. It's all about tourism down there.

[stingrock23]

Hotels were back pretty quickly, but mostly so they could house a lot of the workers from the Shaw group who were doing a lot of the rebuilding work down here. Various workers and police officers were put up in most of the hotels until a few months ago. Now, most of the hotels are open for normal business. The streetcars are running again, and bus transportation is picking up, although most of its customers were those who still have not come back. Many of the restaurants are open again, although there are still a few that haven't opened yet, but mostly due to staffing issues. The hardest hit areas in the east are still in really bad shape, but the downtown and uptown areas are doing well, as well as the suburbs to the west.