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Saints rule out practicing in San Antonio
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Tom Orsborn - San Antonio Express-News
The New Orleans Saints suggested in a statement released today they have scratched San Antonio off their list of potential practice sites should Tropical Storm Gustav turn into a hurricane and force them to flee their training facility in Metairie, La.
"We have a number of cities we have contacted as part of our contingency planning for hurricanes," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said in the statement. "San Antonio is a city in which we are familiar and was a terrific host in 2005. However, our plans call for us to consider an alternate location at this time."
Loomis did not reveal the names of other sites under consideration.
Alamodome director Jim Mery said the announcement wasn't unexpected. The Saints called Mery earlier this week to check on the availability of the Alamodome for practice.
"We sent them an e-mail today saying, come down we're ready for you," Mery said. "But I could tell from how they were visiting with us that they were looking at other locations."
The Saints likely ruled out San Antonio because there is a scheduling conflict at the dome that would prevent them from practicing there for all of next week.
The Saints also checked on the availability of the San Antonio School District's Spring Sports Complex near Burbank. Although SAISD athletic director Gil Garza told them the facility is available, practicing outdoors would not be ideal considering the heat and a chance of rain.
"This is a decision that I have made after consulting with our Head Coach Sean Payton and our football operations staff, keeping in mind our goal of giving the football team its best opportunity to prepare for the opening game," Loomis said. "It is critical that not only the Saints, but the people of our state have a plan in the event a storm enters the Gulf. Our goals are to implement our plan as efficiently as possible keeping in mind the safety of the people in our organization and their families.
"In the event we have to evacuate, we will return to New Orleans as quickly as possible to prepare for the 2008 season."
The Saints open the regular season at home against Tampa Bay on Sept. 7.
The Saints spent the entire 2005 season in San Antonio in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. They also practiced here for three days in September 2004 after fleeing Hurricane Ivan.
READ
Tom Orsborn - San Antonio Express-News
The New Orleans Saints suggested in a statement released today they have scratched San Antonio off their list of potential practice sites should Tropical Storm Gustav turn into a hurricane and force them to flee their training facility in Metairie, La.
"We have a number of cities we have contacted as part of our contingency planning for hurricanes," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said in the statement. "San Antonio is a city in which we are familiar and was a terrific host in 2005. However, our plans call for us to consider an alternate location at this time."
Loomis did not reveal the names of other sites under consideration.
Alamodome director Jim Mery said the announcement wasn't unexpected. The Saints called Mery earlier this week to check on the availability of the Alamodome for practice.
"We sent them an e-mail today saying, come down we're ready for you," Mery said. "But I could tell from how they were visiting with us that they were looking at other locations."
The Saints likely ruled out San Antonio because there is a scheduling conflict at the dome that would prevent them from practicing there for all of next week.
The Saints also checked on the availability of the San Antonio School District's Spring Sports Complex near Burbank. Although SAISD athletic director Gil Garza told them the facility is available, practicing outdoors would not be ideal considering the heat and a chance of rain.
"This is a decision that I have made after consulting with our Head Coach Sean Payton and our football operations staff, keeping in mind our goal of giving the football team its best opportunity to prepare for the opening game," Loomis said. "It is critical that not only the Saints, but the people of our state have a plan in the event a storm enters the Gulf. Our goals are to implement our plan as efficiently as possible keeping in mind the safety of the people in our organization and their families.
"In the event we have to evacuate, we will return to New Orleans as quickly as possible to prepare for the 2008 season."
The Saints open the regular season at home against Tampa Bay on Sept. 7.
The Saints spent the entire 2005 season in San Antonio in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. They also practiced here for three days in September 2004 after fleeing Hurricane Ivan.