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Gustav Could Force Change For Bucs-Saints Opener

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 29, 2008

HOUSTON - Tropical Storm Gustav could force a change in the NFL's plans to have the Bucs open the season in New Orleans.

Though they acknowledged that it's still far too early to suggest a change in plans, NFL officials said Thursday they are monitoring the storm and its potential impact on the Bucs' opener.

Saints officials, meanwhile, announced Thursday that the team will leave for Indianapolis on Sunday and practice there in preparation for the season opener.

One possible solution should Gustav become a hurricane and threaten New Orleans is to have the Bucs host the season opener Sept. 7 and play their Nov. 30 game against the Saints in New Orleans.

Another possibility is to move the opener to San Antonio or Baton Rouge, La. The Bucs played the Saints in Baton Rouge in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina hitting New Orleans.

Gustav was still churning through Jamaica late Thursday, but forecasts suggest it could threaten New Orleans as soon as Monday. That could force an evacuation of the New Orleans area that could put the game in jeopardy.

Bucs officials did not say Thursday whether the league has discussed the possibility of having to change the site of the game.

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