The Saints are home again.

In an earsplitting return to their rebuilt stadium, the Saints gave the Big Easy something to cheer about -- in came Sean Payton as the new coach, Drew Brees as the new quarterback, a healthy Deuce McAllister, Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush and super-sleeper rookie Marques Colston. The result? They won with a 23-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.
 

        

This one couldn't have been scripted any better for a team that spent all of last season on the road, and it couldn't have come at a better time for a city that is still struggling to overcome the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

"From the moment I signed with the Saints, I was looking forward to this," said quarterback Drew Brees, who joined New Orleans during the off season. "It was a great night. It's something we'll never forget."

  

A Super Bowl-like pregame show that included a performance by super groups U2 and Green Day, even before the kickoff. After Bono left the stage and former President George Bush took care of the coin flip. 

Showing the significance of the game, former commissioner Paul Tagliabue and his successor, Roger Goodell, were both at the Superdome. Signs were hung throughout the stadium, sending messages such as "Home Sweet Dome" and "Thank You America. New Orleans & Saints Are Here to Stay."

"I never in my life heard a crowd roar so loud," Vick said. "It just goes to show the appreciation they have for having the New Orleans Saints back in the dome, bringing football back to the city. I commend them for that. They deserve it."

"Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?" the fans chanted.

Not the Falcons. Not on this night.