TCU to host New Orleans Saints in the wake of Hurricane Ida

UPDATE (Aug 31, 10:05 p.m.): Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Drew Davison reports that the New Orleans Saints will be practicing at the TCU facilities starting Monday, September 6.

Original story from The Associated Press:

The New Orleans Saints are investigating the possibility of staying in the Dallas area for up to a month and opening their regular season against Green Bay at the Cowboys’ home ground, coach Sean Payton said.

While the Superdome appears to have spared significant damage from Hurricane Ida, there are logistical challenges in casting an NFL game in the near future due to widespread damage in the New Orleans area.

Many New Orleans residents have been evacuated and officials advised them not to return for at least a few more days while the streets are cleared and widespread damage to power lines is repaired. Some parts of the city are expected to be without electricity for weeks.

“Chances are that if our stadium isn’t ready to host the Packers in Week 1, where could this game take place?” Payton said on Tuesday. “This game could very well take place here in the AT&T stadium. We have enough fans in this area and Houston, certainly from northern Louisiana, that we think that’s very realistic. “

Payton said the Dallas area the Saints moved to on Saturday as Ida approached the Gulf Coast also appears to make the most sense as a temporary practice base, as several Division I college football programs have offered assistance there and due to conflicts or logistical challenges with other locations the club has considered.

The TCU, where Payton’s son Connor is studying, and the SMU have come forward and “would love to be a part of helping and taking us in,” Payton said.

Payton said the Saints are focused on creating a four-week plan “knowing that we can adjust whenever we need to.”

“Much will depend on when the city is ready to accept people who are coming back? When will the power be back? ”Payton continued. “When are things at least up and running so people can come back? And we don’t know the answer to that yet. “

Payton said the Saints cannot use the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, where they held three training camps from 2014 to 2016, because the San Francisco 49ers use it between the season opening street games in Detroit and Philadelphia.

Indianapolis has been excluded because of a Guns N ‘Roses concert planned there, Payton said.

And while Payton Oxnard loves California, where the cowboys traditionally start their training camp, this place made no sense in terms of travel as the Saints have street games in Charlotte and New England for the first month of the season.

“I don’t think it’s in our best interest to go to California,” began Payton, “and then make two trips to the east coast.”

Meanwhile, Payton also spoke for the first time about his decision late last week to name Jameis Winston as his quarterback over Taysom Hill. The two competed against each other throughout the preseason to succeed retired record passer-by Drew Brees. And Payton assured that Hill, a strong all-round athlete who has played in multiple positions, would continue to play a significant role.

Winston, a 2015 top design pick from Tampa Bay that came to the Saints last season as a reserve, “did a great job. He deserved it, ”said Payton about the start nod. “Number one is to lead your offense, move the ball, and score points. We feel that with his arm talent he has unique skills that allow him to get the ball across the field. He did a really good job working through some of the progressions. “

Winston split in the Saints’ second preseason game on August 23 against Jacksonville by Hill, completing nine of 10 passes in three series highlighted by touchdown passes of 43 and 29 yards to second year recipient Marquez Callaway .

In two preseason games, Winston completed 16 of 22 passes for 219 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Hill completed 19 of 32 for 219 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Payton also said the offensive coaching staff will also be “very careful about how we want to use Taysom and what positions we want him to play in”.

Hill, who played on special teams at the tight end and even served as a tempo change, Read Option QB while Brees was playing, went as a starter 3-1 while Brees was injured last season.

Winston and Hill are “both really good footballers and we’re going to need them both this year,” said Payton.

More cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News can be found here.

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