Nov 30, 2009 12:21 pm US/Eastern
Roche In The Big Easy For Monday Night Football
Dan Roche, WBZ Sports
NEW ORLEANS (WBZ) ―
This Monday night matchup between the Patriots (7-3) and the Saints (10-0) has been much-hyped all week. And deservedly so, I might add.
We left Sunday morning for New Orleans. Had nice, but lengthy, flight on Southwest Air through Chicago and Nashville. Arrived late afternoon to warm temps in the 70s.
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Stopped for an interview with the Sunday night sports show host at out local CBS affiliate here in New Orleans. It was interesting to hear his questions about guys like Heath Evans and David Thomas who are now with the Saints. He talked about how they've come into the Saints and showed how things are done the "Patriots way." He also asked me why coming to New Orleans seems so special for Bill Belichick and the Krafts. I told him its pretty easy to see why, considering the warm memories of the first-ever Super Bowl win for this franchise took place here.
Went out to dinner with my photographers Bryan Foley and Chris Gobeille at a place called the "Cajun' Cabin" on Bourbon Street. Nothing fancy, just some good beef brisket and "red beans and rice". Very simple and good...just how I like it. Sat outside on the balcony overlooking Bourbon Street (and stop right there!! Did not throw or catch any beads.) Saw media folks Tom E. Curran and Rob Bradford and a lot of Patriots jerseys. Even saw a couple walking hand in hand. The man was wearing a Brady-12 jersey while the woman was wearing a Brees-8 jersey. Tough marriage.
As I mentioned, lots of Pats fans down here. You gotta figure that's a nice Friday-through-Tuesday trip if you're ever going to take on as a Pats booster.
Lots of respect and admiration for the Patriots down here even though the Saints are 10-0. Keep hearing about Belichick and the three Super Bowl victories. Now, keep in mind, this is the first time the Saints and Pats have meet in years, so there's not that animosity that we see in New York, Indy, San Diego, etc. around this Pats team.
Should be a great game as the Saints come in averaging 37 points per game. Pats and Brady have averaged that over last five games. Saints deep in running game with Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, and Reggie Bush. Solid at WR with Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, and tight ends Jeremy Shockey and David Thomas.
And, of course, they have MVP candidate Drew Brees. And, speaking of that, why doesn't Tom Brady get added in the discussion for MVP? All I hear is Favre, Manning and Brees.
The Saints defense is pretty good. The guy to watch tonight is defensive end Will Smith. Has eight-and-a-half sacks, but six in the last four games. Veteran DB Darren Sharper has seven interceptions also, including three returned for touchdowns.
I'm curious to see how the Pats defense does in another big test. They are ever-improving and I think tonight could be a defining night for the unit of they can pull off a good night.
And finally, had a nice morning here. Wanted to get a coffee at world famous "Cafe' Du More." Walked out of my hotel and saw a cabbie wearing a Saints jersey. We struck up a conversation. He took me to the coffee place and I ended up buying him a coffee. Seemed like a good hard-working man.
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