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Saints vs. Buccaneers: The View from Section 140

A few notes and a full gallery of photos from my own personal game day experience at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for the Saints vs. Buccaneers game.

By Dave Cariello
  • The ladies were in the holiday spirit.
  • The entire Gleason family.
  • Skylar Laine from American Idol singing the National Anthem.
  • A lot of guys on the bench at once.
  • Even helmets need to take a break.
  • Drew Brees cancelling a play at the line of scrimmage.
  • Greg Schiano breaking up a fight between his coach and players.
  • Lonely ball.
  • Lance Moore celebrates a first down catch.
  • Halftime entertainment. American All-Stars, dancers from Louisiana and Mississippi.
  • Willie Roaf being honored for entering the NFL Hall of Fame at halftime.
  • Giant Saints banner on the field during halftime.
  • Sproles takes a hand off.
  • Drew takes the snap.
  • Drew watches and waits.
  • Boring game. My friend fell asleep. Literally.
  • The Saintsation chosen to represent New Orleans at the Pro Bowl.
  • Teammate hug.
  • Greg Bensel chats with Joe Vitt walking off the field.
  • Inside the Bunker Club.
  • Empty stadium hall after the game.

Tab through the gallery of photos above. Below are just a few notes from my game day experience.

  • The offensive starters were announced.
  • There was a moment of silence observed before the game to remember the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
  • Skylar Laine from Season 11 of American Idol performed the National Anthem.
  • Sedrick Ellis led the pre-game Who Dat chant.
  • Crystalize it!
  • The Superdome definitely had a preseason feel. Lots of empty seats, not much energy, a general sense of apathy.
  • The energy level definitely picked up in the fourth quarter as the possibility of a shutout became a reality. I think the crowd was loudest on the final play of the game, as fans cheered to help preserve the shutout and keep the Bucs off the scoreboard.
  • American All-Stars, which is comprised of dancers from Louisiana and Mississippi, and the Fontainebleau High School Crimson Band, from Mandeville, Louisiana, were the halftime entertainment.
  • There was also a Hall of Fame ring presentation ceremony for Willie Roaf at the 50-yard line during halftime.

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