THE DOME REPORT GAME 11 N.O. SAINTS

I. THE CROWD-- Getting into the dome

I don't know if it was the weather, or what, but the fans were even later getting into the dome than usual this week. At 11:00 there were very few traffic problems getting to the dome. There were not many folks in their seats for the pre-game  (not much of a loss IMHO). I circled the dome looking down on the folks coming in and noticed that the powers at be, at most of the entrances, had changed the setup for the turnstiles. At most of the entrances, the turnstiles were in a straight line lined up with the outer doors instead of an arc as in the past. The difference was subtle, but it seemed to make the lines flow more smoothly than in previous weeks. At a couple of places he there were very cute females standing on the upper levels leading cheering on the folks in line. Great going girls, whoever you are!

II.The P.A. System.

I don't know if all of our bitching has paid off or what, but the PA system for the Saints game was MUCH better than the previous week. The volume was not nearly as loud in the 100's and it seems like someone actually checked the sound levels before the game instead of experimenting with the volume during the announcements. For the most part the PA system did not interfere with either the enjoyment of the game or the fan's enthusiasm. Only one PSA seemed to go past the TV timeout and it was not too bad. The cheerleaders did not get shortchanged as badly as last week and there was much less of the aborted music that, in past weeks, would start just as the visiting team got to the LOS and would almost immediately be shut off. Some of the commercials in the 4th 1/4 seemed loud, but not as bad as in previous games. In all, one of the best PA performances of the year.

III. THE FANS

WOW, I can't say enough about the enthusiasm of the crowd at the Saints game. While, perhaps, not reaching the levels that we heard in the Whiners game, the fans really responded, even when the Rams were flat. My only complaint is that the fans, for most of the game, did not start the roar until the Saints were at the LOS. To some extent this is caused by the replay board, the music and the announcer. But I would still like to see us cheering while the other team is in the huddle more often. Most impressive was the fan reaction at the start of the 2nd half. The Rams had not yet shown much and it would have been easy and understandable if the crowd had been a bit tentative, especially since there was not much to cheer about in the 2nd 1/4. But the fans really let loose starting the 3rd Quarter and didn't let up until well after the game was put away. It was almost if the fans had decided that we were going to take control of the dome regardless of anything else. This just goes to show what we can do when we are allowed to be fans without interference from the loudspeakers. Even though the game was put away fairly early in the 2nd half most fans stayed to the end and there was not a real noticeable exiting until after the 2 min. warning. Still would like to see more folks stay to the very end, but after scoring 6 TDs, the number of folks left was still impressive. In past games, friends and family from the 400s have had no trouble finding seats in my section about halfway through the 4th 1/4, but not this time. IMO had this game been at all competitive into the 4th Q we would have seen almost everybody stay to the very end. Once again the Rams fans showed a lot of class giving ovations to the numerous Saints players who were injured. Eddie Kennison got lots of good natured abuse, especially when he would drop a ball and the "EEEEDDDDIIIIEEEE, EEEEDDDIIIEEE" chant was fun.

IV. The Dome Nazis

Although there were dome folks stationed at the steps, starting with about 4 min left to play, the effort to keep people away from the tunnel was much more subdued than the last game, and it was much easier to get into a good position. My son and I moved through the seats instead of risking being turned back by an attendant at the top of the steps, but from what I could see, nobody was having too much trouble getting into a good position to cheer the team going off the field. Once again, the cheerleaders lined up to try and funnel the players directly into the tunnel and away from the railing, but more players ignored the set up this week and came over to the sidelines. DV seemed to really appreciate the support as he was jogging off.

V. It Pays to be observant.

At the end of the game, who should I see on the sidelines, but none other than the greatest tight-end of all time, hall of famer Jackie Smith. I yelled "Jackie" and he came over to the railing, said hello and talked for quite a while. Once others realized who he was, a few others came over to say hello and Jackie signed autographs for everyone who asked. Earlier in the game, the video board played Smith highlights and we talked some about his great years with the Big Red. A great player and a class guy.

VI. A PR suggestion.

I don't know if anybody from the Rams reads any of this stuff, but if they do, I have a suggestion. At the last home game of the year, split the team, players and coaches, up and, instead of having them run right into the locker room, have them go to the railings all around the dome to say "thank you" to the fans. The fans have put up with quite a bit over the years and a gesture like that would be greatly appreciated. The postgame interviews and such can wait a few minutes while the team and fans get to say thanks to each other.