San Diego Chargers @ New Orleans Saints Fleur-de-Links: Gameday Edition

Boy, I thought yesterday was a a slow news day, Saints wise, and today was even slower.  It only took me half the time it usually does to read reports and gather the links for today's post.

In other news, I had the sweetest drive home from work.  The drive home from work on the last day of work before vacation.  I LOVE THAT DRIVE HOME...DON'T YOU?  I have one week off, plus the Labor Day holiday on the other end that makes it a short "back to work" week, including a Thursday night SPECTACULAR MAIN EVENT on September 9.

I stopped for a six-pack en route to my house to help me enjoy the game tonight along with a planned delicious order-in delivery meal to be ordered as soon as I post this.

It's like they used to say in the Old Milwaukee beer ads - "It doesn't get any better than this."  (cue the Swedish Bikini Team)  I remember these ads from even before the Swedish Bikini Team...sigh, I'm old (but Dang and M-E are waaaaay older than me.  I bet they remember beer before there was television).

What you've got waiting for you on the other side of the jump is:  a collection of tweets that might interest you, game preview pieces, a couple of stories on the Superdome/Katrina anniversary, Pete Finney's take on the 18-game season, and a review of the new Saints Super Bowl coffee table book.  Oh yeah!  A Drew Brees video is the closing act.  

Enjoy and I'll see you 'round the open thread a bit later on tonight.

Twitter 

JonVilma51 Will Smith lost a $100 bet to me....I think he's a lil mad about that lolol -... http://fb.me/Hb500GVm

Jmack37 Who dat who dat who dat who dat

alexbrown96 Getting ready to head over to the Dome for tonights game. Tonight will be a good measuring stick on how far we have come since last week.

bobbymccray RT @ChaseDaniel: RT: Game day baby...dome field advantage! Let's get it #saints (via @Pierre_Thomas)

bobbymccray It is storming like crazy here in the Big easy. Glad we play in a dome..

scottshanle Chargers vs. Saints on cbs tonight!

iWillSmith Resting a bit before WORK #WHODAT

JeremyShockey Ready for this game!!! The worst part is the wait... Everyone enjoy the game and have a great weekend..

usama_young28 Gameday! I can't wait til 7... Let's go!#whodat

TylerLorenzen Pre game meal isn't for a couple hours, but I'm hungry now...Room service please. Game vs. the chargers tonight. #whodat

LanceMoore16 Oh yes, game day is here once again. Saints vs. Chargers tonight. Gotta love it. #whodat

T_Porter22 Dis morning..I woke up... (what's goody tweeps)

onVilma51 "this...right here....is my....SWAG.." America's Team vs the chargers tonight!!

Pre-Game Gumbo

Deke: Saints / Chargers Preview - Starters To See Most Action - WWL - AM870
Big Chief sets the stage for tonight's preseason tilt.

Big D in the Big Easy? - SignOnSanDiego.com
Chargers must try to ZAP the Saints offense. Good luck with that.

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees charged up about tonight's game | NOLA.com

An amped up Drew Brees could mean an early "lights out" for the Chargers tonight.  Get it?  Electricity jokes.  I'm sick of them already.

New Orleans Saints vs. San Diego Chargers: what to watch | NOLA.com
Quarter-by-quarter breakdown...Nakia Hogan.

Saints WR Arrington fighting for a roster spot | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
The second time Adrian Arrington was ever thrown to as a Saint, he offered up an enticing glance into the possibility of a bright future – a 33-yard reception in New Orleans’ 2008 preseason opener. Will he be the next Meachem??????

Preseason programming notes - NFC South Blog - ESPN
Pat Y's night: "My plan is to work out of NFC South blog headquarters tonight. According to the schedule on my television, I’ll be able to watch the New Orleans game on a Tampa Bay channel. The listings aren’t showing that the Atlanta game will be available on my television. But there are several ways around that, including satellite radio and the Internet. I’ll find a way to monitor the Falcons and will watch the Saints. I’ll provide observations on both teams after their games are over."   Sounds kinda like my night..!

Superdome Stories

New Orleans Saints' success, Super Bowl win, rode in on Katrina's wake | NOLA.com
There are so many heroes in this fairy tale. He posits that Katrina saved the Saints. This could be a controversial statement. What do you think?

The Superdome: Super Once More - BusinessWeek
Five years after Hurricane Katrina nearly destroyed New Orleans, the city and the Superdome are making a comeback. Sorry, but it was pretty SUPER last year as we won the SUPER BOWL by going 8-2 there (including playoffs).

Lagniappe

A Fan-friendly Saints Book Hits The Shelves - WWL - AM870
Jay Vise reports on the new coffee-table book. Includes audio of an interview with Michael Hebert, Saints D o P.

Injury factor too great in owner-proposed 18-game regular season | NOLA.com
Game should remain about quality, not quantity. Pete Finney chimes in on the debate.

V-Roll Roll Call - The Short Version