In 2005, the city of New Orleans suffered devastation and a great amount of loss at the hands of Hurricane Katrina. The majority of the city’s landmarks and establishments were destroyed by the powerful flood waters and wind damage. As important as those establishments and homes that were destroyed, Katrina took away the heart of the city when it took away the New Orleans Saints, a staple since 1967. Nearly everything was lost in the city, and with the Saints having to play all 16 games away from home because of damage to the Louisiana Superdome, to some everything had been lost. That season the Saints went 3-13 and secured the number 2 draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. It was a sad time for both the city of New Orleans, which was going through its problems rebuilding, and its football team the Saints, that had to do some rebuilding of their own.

This off-season saw the Saints and their city of New Orleans be revived simultaneously from the ground up. On January 17, 2006, as areas of New Orleans and surrounding areas were still under reconstruction the Saints began their own reconstruction as they hired head coach Sean Payton. Sean Payton was an offensive minded former assistant coach of the Dallas Cowboys under Bill Parcells. This led many fans to believe that the once points challenged Saints were going to be a more offensive focused team in 2006.

Many wondered what the next move of the franchise would be and on March 14, the Saints signed veteran Drew Brees to be the starting quarterback of the disenfranchised franchise. With one small move, many believed that the Saints were now officially on a competitive playing field with the other 31 NFL teams. Many, including this columnist felt that with Brees at the helm, they would have a shot in any game.

If the Brees signing had New Orleans fans believing again, then the drafting of USC’s playmaking running back Reggie Bush gave an even bigger push to their already high hopes for 2006. The signing of the former Heisman trophy winner provided two things that the Saints’ franchise never had: a threat of scoring at any position on the field and a spell running back for star Deuce McAllister that could allow the offensive coordinator to pace Deuce throughout games and have him be that game breaking runner he is late in the 4^th quarter.

With those main acquisitions and a few others including wide receiver Marques Colston, a 7^th round pick out of Hofstra, would prove to be a big part in the Saints return to New Orleans. It was a homecoming indeed as Saints’ fans were treated to their already 2-0 saints as they dominated the Atlanta Falcons 23-3 with a pair of special teams’ blocked kicks and a defense that held Michael Vick in check the entire game.

To some Katrina stricken fans it was as close to New Orleans being back since the storm in 2005. To others, it brought some relief to have their team back even though a few fans still lacked electricity in their homes. There is an old saying that “Home is where the heart is” and a big part of home in New Orleans is watching or listening to their New Orleans Saints. The Saints’ are also glad to be home posting an undefeated record at the newly renovated Superdome and an overall record of 5-1 on the season (1^st place in the NFC South).

Though the city is not back to its original state before Katrina or it ever will be, many citizens believe in New Orleans like they believe in their Saints and if the team is any reflection of the city it represents, the spirit of the city of New Orleans will rise again through the troubled waters.