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Superdome Operator: Stadium Looks Good

The Associated Press

While the dome may be in good shape, whether or not the Saints play there depends on several factors.

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 2, 2008

The Louisiana Superdome, for now still scheduled to host an NFL regular-season opener Sunday between the New Orleans Saints and the Bucs, appeared to be in good condition after the worst of Hurricane Gustav had passed, the stadium's operator said.

"We're in good shape," said Doug Thornton, vice president of SMG, the company that manages the Superdome and neighboring New Orleans Arena. "We've got some exterior signs ripped and things like that, downed fences and light poles blown over, but nothing major, nothing structural or nothing that would affect the interior condition of the building."

Thornton, who spearheaded the ambitious $200 million, eight-month renovation of the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina, remained in the stadium with a handful of staff during the storm Sunday night and Monday.

Thornton said there was no noticeable structural or interior damage, but stressed that a more thorough inspection still needed to be done. The stadium had yet to lose normal power as of Monday afternoon, he said.

While the dome may be in good shape, whether or not the Saints play there depends on several factors that may be out of stadium management's control.

Those matters include:

•When the city allows residents to return, which affects not only the amount of fans who can attend but also the staff of approximately 2,500 needed to stage an NFL game, including police who handle security and may still be needed for post-hurricane patrols.

•Whether suppliers can ship in food and drink for concession stands, suites and lounges.

BROWNS: Quarterback Derek Anderson, sidelined since Aug. 18 with a concussion, returned to practice and is expected to start Sunday's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

COLTS: Claimed linebacker Buster Davis and defensive tackle Daniel Muir off waivers. Davis was waived by the Detroit Lions. The ex-Florida State linebacker was a third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2007, but didn't make the team.

JAGUARS: Receiver Jerry Porter practiced for the first time in nearly three months, calling it a "small step in the big scheme of things." Porter had surgery to repair a torn hamstring in July.

PANTHERS: Signed former Buc Mark Jones to return kicks while awaiting Ryne Robinson's recovery from a knee injury. Jones, who played with Tampa Bay from 2005 to 2007, was released by the Chargers on Saturday.

PATRIOTS: Signed two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Deltha O'Neal, two days after they released exhibition-season starter Fernando Bryant.

RAIDERS: Agreed to terms on a one-year contract with discarded receiver Ashley Lelie in hopes that the former first-round pick can regain his form and help bolster an inexperienced position group.

RAVENS: Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco will start in the season opener against Cincinnati. The Ravens awarded the job to their top draft pick (No. 18 overall) because he's the healthiest player at the position.

HONORING UPSHAW: NFL players will wear a uniform patch this season to honor NFL Players' Association leader Gene Upshaw, who died Aug. 20.

The league announced that the patch will have the initials GU and the number 63, which he wore while playing for the Oakland Raiders. Upshaw died of pancreatic cancer just three days after he was diagnosed.

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