AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 28 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIt’s good—and sad—to be back in New Orleans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New Orleans-Every time I come here, the memories return and embrace me like a dear old friend. But this time was different. This time I wondered how many of my memories of New Orleans would still be here.
Like anyone who writes about college sports for a living, New Orleans has been a pretty regular stop on the trail. I first came here as a college student some 30 years ago to experience Mardi Gras. Those memories, as you might imagine, are a bit fuzzy.
But since I came here for my first Final Four in 1982, and watched freshman Michael Jordan knock down the winning shot for North Carolina, not many years have gone by without at least one trip to the Crescent City.
But when I flew here Thursday late afternoon, it marked my first visit since Katrina devastated this grand old lady and created image after image that would break your heart and make you seethe with anger all in the same moment.
On the drive in from the airport, I looked for the remnants of the carnage that happened over two years ago. The Superdome has been repaired and looks no different from the outside. The inside had to get an entire makeover and I’m anxious to see that.
The Hyatt Hotel adjacent to the Dome, which was always the center of activity for the big events in this town, is still not open and it may never open again. Hundreds of glass windows that were shattered by the storm have been repaired but the damage to the overall structure was so severe it might not make financial sense to restore the Hyatt to its original condition. That would be a shame.
In the coming days I look forward to getting out and seeing exactly how my old friend is doing. My sense is that I will see little change downtown and in the French Quarter. The story will be different in the outlying areas, including the Lower Ninth Ward. I want to see that as well.
In the meantime, we have a couple of good football games coming up. I spoke to some Hawaii people when I got in last night and I can tell you that these folks ain’t the least intimidated by a team from the SEC. They spent a bunch of money to get here and see this as a once in a lifetime experience. They are going to party hard and fully expect their team to win.
Six days after the Sugar Bowl we’ll get a BCS championship game that is still hard to figure out. But I will say this. If you think this game will be just like Florida’s win over Ohio State in last January’s BCS championship game, you are in for a surprise. The whole mindset of this game is different. I expect it to be close.
So it’s good to be back in New Orleans, my grand old friend. Hopefully the next 10 days will play a big role of getting her completely back on her feet.
Services »
Comments
By Bubba Gump
December 28, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
The Sugar Bowl will be a colorful event, fitting for New Orleans, with each team contributing the musical atmosphere. The Warriors will perform their ceremonial pre-game dance to honor their Polynesian culture. The Dogs, dressed in their sinister black uniforms, will dance anytime they please, to honor Soulja Boy and Bow Wow.
By alohadawg
December 28, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
i told all y’all all year long aboot them Islan’d Warrior’s. The Bell Tolls FOUR Thee, the ugas.
By robodog
December 28, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this
Thanks Mr. CFB. Is a visit to any of the devastation on the UGA team’s itinerary? Since the Dawgs do a lot of volunteer work and have worked with Habitat, it seems like it would be a good fit. A great reminder of what really matters most, as is just standing on the Superdome field.
By TDone
December 28, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
A chicken ain’t nothing but a bird.
By GWW
December 28, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
What New Orleans needs is visitors. This will be my 5th time back to New Orleans since Katrina. Each time, the city is becoming closer to the New Orleans that we all remember (the BEST food in the world!!). Concerning the French Quarter, the Garden district, as well as the central business district, you would never know Katrina ever occurred. Go Dogs!!
By Dawg Luver
December 28, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe how many Hawaii fans I have ran into this week. They are some smack talkers…I am worried they will be looking for a fight when I get to NOLA…I hope they can get some class before they get to the Big Sleezy..
By blake
December 28, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
ohio state 21-17
By NASCARfan
December 28, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
I’m starting to get the vibe that Hawai’i fans are much like Lamecock fans. Meaning, they talk a lot of smack without actually earning the right to do so.
Their whole state can descend upon NOLA and it wouldn’t change three truths: the fans will be outmanned in the the Dome 4 to 1, their team hasn’t played a team this good ever and are totally unprepared for the kind of bruising attack that Georgia will unleash on them for four quarters, and lastly, they will lose.
I’m only worried about two things. Getting mugged and our fans (which once again will outnumber Hawai’i fans 4 to 1 in the Superdome) being embarrassed by the loudness of the Hawai’i fans. Our alumni, as anyone who’s ever attended a game at Sanford Stadium knows, suck. They sit on their hands, and even in the Blackout Game against Auburn, they weren’t as loud as they could have been over on the South side.
So, Alumni, I challenge you all: please, please don’t do your usual job of being quiet, sucky fans. You paid all this money (and I know it is a lot, because I broke my savings account to afford this once in a lifetime trip for me) to get to NOLA for the sUGAr Bowl. Don’t be outclassed as fans in stadium.
Don’t suck. Our team deserves your constant and consistent screaming, yelling, cheering, and all manner of acting like real fans while your in the Superdome. If you can’t remember how to act like a real fan, remember how the student section acted all year: we never sat down, we never stopped cheering and yelling and screaming when the Dawgs were on defense, and we genuinely would go crazy after any Dawg score or sack or turnover, etc.
Thanks.
By bamadon
December 28, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
I hope New Orleans can restore the city it was before Katrina happened. The government needs to help the city to rebuilt the lower ninth ward. New Orleans needs to get rid of the idiot mayor they have and vote a person in to office with common sense!! GO DAWGS AND SORRY FOR GETTING ON MY RANT!!
By JR
December 28, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
A dogs fan calling someone else classless, PRICELESS!
By gdawg
December 28, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
NASCARfan,
you’re worried about getting mugged? Thought you were an ex-marine Cafaro. You are such a big pu$$y. How would you know about the crowd in Sanford Stadium? You’ve never been there. You can’t really gauge the noise level or who is responsible from your momma’s basement loser.
By 3 Rivers jacket
December 28, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
Why are the Georgia goon fans always raling against the fans for not being loud enough. Believe it or not Georgia has some class fans who do not like the rap music and the new “urban” theme that this team has taken on. The football team is good but the thug image is not sitting well with some bro.
By SSIdawg
December 28, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
A little too much eggnog guys? Come on! A fumble away from three losses, calling for the heads of the coaches and some of the players to looking for a #1 rank in 2008 and saying we were cheated out of the NCS game. Better tighten up the jock straps and play one game at a time! Then let’s see what happens next year.
By Dawghead
December 28, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
Friends, we’ve heard our last game called by Munson. Thanks for the memories, Larry. You’re missed already.
By Qusetions for the Warriors(?)
December 28, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
So, Hawaii is going to play a close game/beat Georgia? Ok, Warrior fans, please help me with some questions and explain the rationale for what would be a bigger upset than App State over Meeeechigan.
What was Hawaii’s strength of schedule, and where did it rank? How many BCS schools did Hawaii play? How many teams did they play with a winning record? How many teams did they play that are in bowl games?
Come one now, no mindless yakking, bring some facts and some logic. Start with the answer to the questions above.
By Are you for real?
December 28, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
I hope no Warrior fans will respond to your challenge. You exposed yourself as either insane, stupid, or just a rank a-hole with the assinine statement, “what would be a bigger upset than App State over Meeeechigan.”
What a dolt.
Go Dawgs!
By NASCARfan
December 28, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
Gdawg,
Dude, I don’t know who the hell you think you’re talking to, but I’m not an ex marine, and my name ain’t Cafaro. Let me guess, you’re the crazy guy who’s been on our boards the last few months pretending to be General Neyland, myself, and other regulars, and generally being quite a pain in the azz. And the thing is, with my parents living out in Marietta and me here in Athens, it’d be hard for me to live in their basement, let alone the fact that they don’t have a basement. Get an effing life, moron.
On a sadder note, it looks as if Larry has called his last game and won’t be travelling to Nawlins for the game. I hope the team knows of this as it will add to their wanting to kill the Warriors. Win one for Ole’ Larry, guys!
By gdawginkalamazoo
December 28, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
Qusetion, there can be no “bigger than App State over Michigan” until another Div 1 AA or whatever the hell they call it now team beats the #4 ranked team in the nation. Michigan owns a not so good record there that might stand for years. Regardless, Hawaii IS 12-0 and they have talented players at their skill positions so we better be 100% for the full 60 minutes.
By zinodawg
December 28, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
Boise State getting beat by the mighty Pirates from ECU (arrrrgh) and Nevada getting shut out by New Mexico doesn’t look good for the WAC. Looks like the Warriors have played no one. If we play like we want it we will butcher them. If we come out flat it will be a shootout. Look for a great game from my main man Rennie Curran. Go dawgs!
By Hoopie1
December 28, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
Based on the answers to the “Questions for the Warriors”, the Warrior fans should exercise some trepidation. I watched the “Warriors” barely get by San Jose St. in OT. They looked like a UGA intramural team.
By NW Dawg
December 28, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Gdawg, NASCARfan says that he’s a student @ UGA - the jury’s out on that. You’re thinking about Matt Cafaro, aka THE MAN, that used to pollute these blogs. He claimed to be an ex-marine but only served to put the Dawgs in a bad light. Unfortunately, NASCARfan talks a lot of trash too, so you might get the two confused.
By Dawgbyte
December 28, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
Tony, my man, you disappoint me. How many team’s fans have you known that have gone to a big game expecting to get beat? As I remember, Okie State came to Athens expecting to kick some butt. Same with Boise State. Anyway, what they are “expecting” and what they get, are two different things. Count on it!
By NASCARfan
December 28, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
NW, I only talk the trash to those who deserve it. As for me, I am a student at UGA.
By Pat
December 28, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
hawaii will whip the puppies little (as always over-rated) whiny-hinies—-that hang their hat on ONE natl. championship in 115 years—-a pathetic program with a mr. goody-two-shoes as a coach who has a dirty little secret—-we know the truth mark!!!
By Pat
December 28, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
YES——We Fla. State alum know about you Mark—-we were not blind!!! A man of integrity————NOT GA—a team of destiny——-NOT—stay off the drugs—you POTHEAD puppies
By Pat
December 28, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this
you don’t need to be a student at UGA—-just drive by one afternoon with you windows down —-and THEY WILL THROW ONE OF THEIR WORTHLESS DIPLOMAS RIGHT IN YOUR CAR!!!
By NASCARfan
December 28, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
Sp Pat, please enlighten us about this “truth” that you seem to know that the rest of us don’t.
Or are you worried that by writing lies and slander on this blog will leave you open to a libel suit, you moron?
By NASCARfan
December 28, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
Sp Pat, please enlighten us about this “truth” that you seem to know that the rest of us don’t.
Or are you worried that by writing lies and slander on this blog will leave you open to a libel suit, you moron?
By NASCARfan
December 28, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
Pat, as an alumni of FSU, you’re talking an awful lot of trash, especially considering that your joke of a university couldn’t come close to being half the university that Georgia is on a national and world-wide level. I don’t seem to remember FSU having any Rhodes Scholars, let alone two the last year. I also recall that at FSU, you can shoplift all you want and still play in the National Championship game.
And Pat, you prove the fact that FSU alumni cannot even do simple mathematics because Georgia has 2 outright titles and 3 other shared titles that unlike schools like Alabama, SoCal, Ohio State, Bugland, and others, we don’t count officially, because we like to actually win, not share our Championships.
Seems to me, before the late 1970’s, FSU had no football history to speak of, while Georgia has won an SEC title in every decade of the SEC’s existence except the 1990’s. And also, Pat, it seems to me, that the great Bobby Bowden didn’t win one damn Championship until he turned the play calling over to Mark Richt. And, even more damning Pat, it seems to me that FSU has sucked since Mark Richt left.
And you know what else, Pat? I don’t buy for a second that you’re an FSU alumnus. We all know that you’re really a Bug in disguise. But on the off-chance that you are a Semen-ole, we own you. Seems to me, the only time we’ve met, we beat you. So Mark Richt owns Daddy Bowden.
Try telling us some more lies, Pat. You’re an idiot.
By Pat
December 28, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
IN DUE TIME NO-BRAIN-NASCARfan you will learn what you have in ATHENS—-AND IT IS WHAT YOU DESERVE—-YOU MORON!!!
By Pat
December 28, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
TWO OUTRIGHT TITLES—-MY AZZZZ
VOTED ON BY WHOM—-THE ATHENS DAILY TRASH.
ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PERIOD.
YOUR DAY WILL COME AND ONCE AGAIN—-YOUR SCHOOL WILL BE TRASHED—-REMEMBER—-JAN KEMP—- I CAN TELL YOU ARE A CHILD WITH MINDLESS RAVES—-YOU PRAY FOR A REAL MAN LIKE COACH BOWDEN—WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT HIM——-THE WORLD KNOWS WHAT THEY HAVE IN YOU—-A NASCAR LOW CLASS MORON
By Litkenhous poll
December 28, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
ah, NASCAR fan, i thought i had been forgotten in the discussion of national titles. Thanks for the memories. I’m sure the Williamson poll, Boand and Poling polls appreciate the historical reference as well.
By NASCARfan
December 28, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this
Once again, Pat, seems to me, you’re the one without an ounce of class, coming onto these boards and spreading your filth and lies and slander. Tell us this secret only you Semen-oles know, or go away.
And you can talk up Daddy Bowden all you want, but you cannot change facts no matter how hard you try, and these are the facts, Pat:
Georgia has 2 outright titles and 3 shared titles, and we only count the ones we won, not the ones we share.
Daddy Bowden had a history of choking in big, important games, especially when a mythical national championship was on the line, never winning a single one, until he let Mark Richt call the plays.
When Mark Richt left FSU, Daddy Bowden’s genius seemed to leave with him, as did his ability to recruit top-flight offensive players, and his winning percentage went south.
Georgia, as a program with a long, established history, is ten times the program FSU is, even including the 1990’s, which once again, look more and more like they had everything to do with Mark Richt and nothing to do with Daddy Bowden.
You’re an idiot.
These are facts, absolute truths. Unlike this secret that you claim to know, which is probably more fiction, which you would have shared with the rest of us, but don’t want to leave yourself open to the libel suit which would soon follow. And if you think you’re safe behind your anonymity, you’re not.
So take your lies and leave, Pat. And please, for the love of God, stop shouting.
By Pat
December 28, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this
A BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE FROM THE LITKENHOUS POLL——BY THE way NASCACfan——just in case you wanted/needed to know —-the LP poll referenced above was founded in NASHVILLE, TN—-i am sure you could not have even spelled it—-must less new where your “2nd” championship came from——HEY—-isn’t about your BEDTIME??
By bigdave
December 28, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this
ah yes, grand ole new orleans. look forward to partying there in a couple days. question though barnhart, should it be rebuilt with billions of dollars or should all the displaced people be given a million bucks apiece to go elsewhere and the national government saves a few billion? i’m sure all these poor folks who lived in the path of danger could start a grand new life with a million bucks. maybe live in cities that aren’t underwater. new orleans is a unique and culturally different place, but it is back on it’s feet, at least the part that should be on it’s feet.
By NASCARfan
December 28, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this
Hey guys, Pat’s a Bug in disguise. Persona non grata, arivedercci.
By Pat
December 28, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this
FACTS—-YOU NEED TO BE SHOUTED AT!!! 1.between 1993 and 2001 FSU played in 5 National Championship games. 2. We won two——1993 and 1999. 3. In the 90’s we 89% of ALLs OUR GAMES—-best ever in a decade. 4. Bobby Bowdon has won more college football games than anyone—- 5. It figures you love the dogs and nascar—-by the way —-are you warm and dry in that trailer tonight?
By bigdave
December 28, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
yes pat, fsu won 89% or whatever you say, but like ohio state now, fsu played in the ACC. most games meant nothing, any decent team should’ve won 89%. this is why the NC is garbage. ohio state is getting multiple chances because they don’t play anybody. they have to play 2 or 3 big games a year total! must be nice. anyway, who cares? you’ve been on this board for hrs on a friday night. go find a life.
By Pat
December 28, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this
wrong again—-nascar——i give the techsters all they can stand.—-just keep living in your dream world—-dog house
By Harry from Hiram
December 28, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this
Hey Everyone:
NASCARfan is Matthew from the SLC from other blogs. I am sure you all remember his dumb comments. He also stalks his fellow bloggers and writes nasty things posing as others.
By Pat
December 28, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this
WHAT ABOUT THE 5 APPEARENCES IN 9 years and 2 rings—-we can only play who we meet in the bowls—-sorry it could not have been the dawgs!!
By NotInThisCentury
December 28, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
Hilarious!!! Typically, we have Techies posing as fans from football schools. Pat, you would be better off posing as a techie as FSU has done nothing since the 90s. You may try to give tech fans all they can stand but that’s only because your team can’t. Incidentally, what do you define as giving a fan base all they can stand? Hopefully, you do a better job than your meager attempts at flaming today on our blogs. Face it. FSU sucks and you suck. You cannot even make it through the ACC. Pathetic! Get a life.
By NASCARfan
December 29, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this
Harry from Hiram, guess again. Man, you retards keep missing the target. Why do I have to be anyone? Y’all have some serious issues.
By Eric1
December 29, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
Half of north Georgia and all of Hawaii is interested in the Sucrose Bowl. No one else gives a krap!
By Randall
December 29, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Fans leave yu gangsta at home. You can’t have class and act like a THUG. Act like you could make anyone proud, not the bad company you seem to prefer. If you get nothing from the Holy Bible take this everywhere you go. AVOID BAD COMPANY.
By Heeldawg
December 30, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
Hey, Patricia, remember me?
You’re making references to national title counts again. Tsk, tsk—we’ve had this discussion. You lost that argument last time. I’m not going over it again.
If you’re truly an FSU fan (which I doubt—likely just another Tech supporter taking on the guise of someone who he perceives to me more impregnable, if you get my drift), you don’t have a great deal of room to talk. Your blathering about “integrity” withers in the face of the recent multiple embarrassing suspensions for academic transgressions. You can add to that the lack of recent success on the field (FSU hasn’t been a factor on the national scene since the 2000 season, nearly a decade ago)and you’ve got an image of FSU for what it is today: a has-been program headed by a washed-up head coach who is hanging on for dear life so that Joe Paterno doesn’t pass him in the all-time win column. FSU’s last two meetings against Georgia yielded an 0-1-1 record for the ‘Noles—a tie in ‘84 and a loss in the 2003 Sugar Bowl. FSU has had 15 years of competitive football to go with 80 or so years of mediocrity. And Pat, guess what? History is catching back up with you. FSU is back to its baseline of mediocre play. The school isn’t even the second best program in Florida right now, and wresting the number one spot in Florida from UF will not happen in the forseeable future.
You want to play us head-to-head? Fine, go ahead. Humiliate yourselves. But your program will be crippled as long as Bowden continues to hang on in Tallahassee. His time is over. Richt doesn’t play FSU out of a sense of mercy for his old mentor, just like he called off the Dawgs in the second half of the Sugar Bowl to avoid further inflicting further pain upon “Daddy” Bowden.
Oh, and this crap about some mysterious “secret” about Mark Richt is pure garbage. You don’t know crap. I know Mark Richt personally, and he is as straight-laced as his media persona—maybe even more so. FSU fans (or Tech fans, for that matter, with their academic probations and dope dealers playing in bowl games) have a lot of nerve talking to ANYONE about “integrity.” Richt runs a squeaky-clean program that wins ball games. The rest of the football-playing universe had better get used to it. The best years of his tenure are just beginning.
You see,the future belongs to us. Not to you, Pat, whoever you’re a fan of.
Us.
Find a different hobby. My mom says that there are some nice needlepoint patterns at Home Goods. Just be careful not to hurt yourself with those sharp things.
By jared
December 30, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
Just for the record…those National Title dates are
Outright: 1942 1980 Note: UGA brought home the Heisman with Frank Sinkwich in 1942.
Shared: 1927: Named by the Boand Poll and the Poling Poll 1946: Williamson Poll 1968:Liktenhous Poll
So for all of those people that wanted to know…here are the dates and the various systems that declared the UGA Bulldogs #1
By Rampdawg
December 31, 2007 1:02 AM | Link to this
Hey Pat, why did the chicken(s) cross the road? To join the ACC.
hahahahahahahahahahah
By dawgbreath
January 1, 2008 1:29 AM | Link to this
I am in Los Angles to attend the Rose Bowl. It was a chance I took before GA took off and landed in the Sugar. Oh well. Thank goodness for internet and AJC. I am trying to arrange a ride back to the hotel at halftime so I can see my Dawgs. GooooooDawgs! Beat the Warriors! Oh my God please beat the Warriors