Saints Sideline Blog

BLACK HOLE AWAITS

Friday, August 28th, 2009      Email Print

DATELINE: Metairie, LA/ August 27th,2009 (Watch out for flying batteries!)
 
Drew Brees has lived it. The former San Diego Charger remembers the glorious once a year roadie to Oakland but its not just Oakland for any visiting team its quite simply "The Black Hole." These rowdy Raiders, many of whom are lawyers and responsible professional types chose to lose their collective minds for a few hours each home game. If its its not the toughest road crowd in the NFL, its the scariest.To give you a visual, its like a group of football fans dressed up like the rock group Kiss.  Let's face it, the way the Raiders have played the past few seasons, the fans in the "Black Hole" have been more intimidating than its football team.
 
When asked about his favorite "Black Hole" memories it didn't take long for Brees to oblige. His first offering involved his trip back in 2001 when he was backing up veteran Doug Flutie. A young Brees watched as Flutie signed autographs for Raider fans and then watched as a mere 10 seconds later, those same fans who had received autographed footballs and scorecards--promptly booed and cursed the former Heisman Trophy winner.
 
Brees' second story was a year later when he was the Chargers' starter and faced an Oakland team who would later go to the Super Bowl only to lose to the Bucs. Drew's Chargers won on that day as LaDanian Tomlinson would score the game winning TD and after an endzone celebration received a proper "Black Hole" celebration--they pelted the field with batteries.
 
That was the regular season "Black Hole," we will find out on Saturday if the preseason brings out the kindler gentler side. Somehow I doubt it. As bad a football as this fan base has seen the past seven seasons, they have plenty of pent up frustration. Drew Brees knows the drill and as the leader of the Saints, will be sure to warn his teammates of the fans who like their batteries-keep going and going and going......
 
AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
 
REGGIE STILL IFFY: Sean Payton says after Thursday's practice, Reggie Bush is questionable for Saturday's game and looks to be a game time decision.
 
THOMAS AND GRANT OUT: Both Pierre Thomas (knee sprain) and Charles Grant (hamsting will be out for Oakland. Payton hinted Grant will be back next week against the Dolphins but Thomas likely may not play till the season opener versus the Lions
 
KICKING SCHEDULE: According to Payton, Veteran John Carney will kick the first half before giving way to soon to be suspended kicker Garrett Hartley in the second half. Hartley will also handle kickoff duties for now.
 
SALUTE THE CLASS OF 07: Payton singled out many stars of the Draft Class of 2007 today which was once a group of underachievers. That may be changing as the Saints Head Coach says Usama Young, Jermon Bushrod and Robert Meachem are all having great camps
 
IN AND OUT: Drew Brees is excited about playing a lot against the Raiders but may be equally as excited about getting an In & Out burger. The popular California chain is popular with the Saints QB who gave a quality In & Out discertation to the media for at least 10 minutes after practice. Brees told us what we should order (No 2 combo/Animal Style by the way) and says even though there are long lines in the drive thru, the customers don't care because they like the burgers so much.....stay tuned....i will have an No 2  animal to go.....
 
UNTIL NEXT BLOG,
 
Mike Nabors
CST

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

Post Comment | Read Comments (1)