SAN ANTONIO -- Saints coach Jim Haslett is hoping the sound
of hammers and nails -- or any of the other commotion off the field
-- won't be heard in the team's meeting rooms at the Alamodome.
For a 2-4 team struggling to come to grips with its displacement
by Hurricane Katrina, a whole new set of distractions has come to a
head this week.
In addition to high-profile front-office changes that may affect
the franchise's future in New Orleans, the distractions include a
large house being built in one of the end zones at the Alamodome in
time for a home builders' convention.
The Saints can't practice in the Alamodome for the next three
weeks because of the convention. It was booked by city officials
weeks before the Saints' move to San Antonio after Hurricane
Katrina damaged the Louisiana Superdome.
"That's weird, seeing the turf taken up and they're building a
house in there," offensive tackle Jermane Mayberry said. "Coach
Haslett has done a great job in concentrating on football. But,
still, you walk into your building and they're building a house in
it. It's like, `Whoa.'
"Everything that you would think is remotely normal, this year
it's different. Everything is different this year."
Just when the Saints were settling into a routine, it was
disrupted again. In addition to three weeks without their primary
practice facility, the next eight games will require travel. Four
of those games are on the road, and the four "home" games are in
Baton Rouge, La., more than an hour from San Antonio by plane.
"There's nothing you can do about it," Haslett said. "You
just try to take it day by day, and every day is different. I
really am proud of how the players and their coaches have handled
the situation. They go with the flow."
In addition to the Alamodome, the Saints have practiced
sporadically at a refurbished high school grass field about 10
minutes from the stadium. Haslett said the team is trying to secure
a different field with an artificial surface in time for a practice
on Friday.
The Saints play on artificial turf Sunday in St. Louis.
Haslett has shown frustration with the situation. But he's also
trying to accept the disruptions lightheartedly.
Walkthrough practices that were conducted most mornings on the
Alamodome field have been moved to the stadium's concourse. The
field was rolled up and stored before the construction on the house
started. The concourse is near some of the stadium's main entryways
adjacent to the ticket windows.
"Someone walked in the door today and wanted to buy tickets,"
Haslett said, smirking.
Haslett also has noticed the attention some of his assistant
coaches are giving to the house in the end zone.
"They're all asking about it," Haslett said.
As a part of the displacement from Louisiana, at least two
assistant coaches are living in the Alamodome. One coach bunks in
the former office of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich; the Spurs played
in the Alamodome from 1993-2002.
But most of the players aren't asking about the team's future
home. Team owner Tom Benson on Monday fired executive vice
president Arnold Fielkow, an outspoken proponent of keeping the
team in New Orleans.
Benson continues to refuse comment over the team's future.
"That's petty stuff," running back Aaron Stecker said of the
front-office changes. "We can't deal with that. You just go on.
And whether we're practicing in a parking lot or a grass field, you
just go out there and get the job done. On Sunday, you win games.
And we need to get on a roll winning games."