The Saints Return to the Dome

SI Staff | Sep 25, 2006

The Saints Return to the Dome /

The Saints Return to the Dome

A building that offered so many shelter and later despair following Hurricane Katrina, the Superdome has had its roof repaired and its interior redone in preparation for the New Orleans Saints' home opener.

Eight months after Hurricane Katrina, construction crews were inside the Superdome, readying it for the 2006 NFL season.

Workers put the finishing touches on the new artificial turf inside the dome, the site of the 1982 and '93 Final Fours and Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002.

Deuce McAllister surveys the stadium before the Saints' practice on Sept. 22, the team's first workout there in more than a year.

Saints coach Sean Payton and executive vice president and GM Mickey Loomis have added a little icing on the cake for Saints fans by getting the team off to a 2-0 start.

Jason Craft (21), Terrence Melton (51), Fred Thomas (22) and Hollis Thomas (99) take in the surroundings before their first practice in the revamped Superdome.

In his first year as the Saints' starting quarterback, Drew Brees is hoping to reward the faithful New Orleans fans with a victory over Altanta in the home opener.

Chris Granger/New Orleans Times-Picayune/AP

While there's still much work to be done in New Orleans and the hurricane-stricken Gulf Coast, it's a morale booster to many residents that the Saints have come marching home.

The glitz began long before the game, as television networks began broadcasting from the city days in advance.

Monday night will be much more than another football game. "It'll blow them away," said Superdome spokesman Bill Curl.

Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls performs in front of the Superdome prior to Monday's game.

Published Sep 25, 2006

SI STAFF