The New Orleans Saints faced a unique situation as Hurricane Francine made landfall in southeast Louisiana, prompting the coaching staff to spend Wednesday night at the team facility for safety. Coach Dennis Allen shared, “We’ll probably find a corner of the room to lay down in at some point in time and get a little sleep. The most significant weather is going to be this evening into the early morning hours.” Despite the challenging circumstances, the team remained focused on their responsibilities.
In order to accommodate the players, the Saints adjusted their practice schedule, moving it up an hour to allow everyone to get home and prepare for the storm. Quarterback Derek Carr emphasized the importance of staying committed to the team despite the distractions, stating, “Even when circumstances aren’t perfect, we still have to focus. I owe it to my teammates to be locked in and be ready to go for tomorrow.”
The impact of Hurricane Francine was felt as it struck 30 miles southwest of Morgan City as a Category 2 storm. However, the Saints headquarters was well-equipped to handle such conditions, with generator power that had withstood previous storms like Katrina in 2005 and Ida in 2021, both of which led to evacuations.
Looking ahead, Coach Allen expressed optimism that the team would be able to resume their normal schedule on Thursday if New Orleans avoided significant damage. He emphasized the importance of safety first, saying, “We want everybody to be safe, and yet we still felt we could get our work done and keep everybody safe.” The Saints remained united in their dedication to their job and their city, sending their thoughts and prayers to the entire state of Louisiana as they weathered the storm together.