Tell the NFL You Want a Saints-Steelers Season-Opening Prime-Time Game

Time for a little grass-roots politickin' to the NFL on behalf of the New Orleans Saints. I had this little brainstorm on the way to work... Remember when I submitted the following article excerpt last month regarding the NFL's efforts to help the Saints remain in New Orleans:

Meanwhile, the NFL is working on plans to further promote the league's involvement in the rebuilding of New Orleans next season. Ideas include a kickoff concert in New Orleans leading up to the prime-time season-opening game at the home of this season's eventual Super Bowl champion. The NFL is also looking at a New Year's Eve Saints home game on the last weekend of the regular season.

So, let's look at the following facts:

1. The NFL wants to promote its involvement in rebuilding New Orleans.
2. The NFL is thinking about putting together a kickoff concert in New Orleans.
3. The concert will be part of the season-opening prime-time game at the home of the Super Bowl Champion.
4. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the world champions.
5. The Saints play at the Pittsburgh Steelers this year.

HOW GREAT WOULD THAT BE?????????????????????????????????

It's time to gauge the level of "commitment" the NFL has. Would the league be willing to feature the New Orleans Saints in a prime-time season-opening game? That would show one hell of a committment to me. Sure, the Saints would probably lose the game, but it would be a nice gesture to give us a prime-time game to increase the team's (and the community's) exposure.

So how do we tell the NFL that we want it? I'm not sure. But if you agree with me that it is a good idea, SPREAD THE WORD. Tell other bloggers. Contact the Saints. Contact the league. Contact politicians. Hell, I don't care. Tell them that you want the Saints to play the first game of the year. Because you know if the decision is left to the TV executives who basically own the NFL, they'll choose either the Miami Dolphins or the Denver Broncos, who also have to play in Pittsburgh in 2006.