Hurricane Gustav

While our thoughts are obviously with those who are displaced by the oncoming category 3-4 Hurricane Gustav, we can't help but feel that this could be the end of the Saints in New Orleans.

Owner Tom Benson was angling to leave the city shortly before Hurricane Katrina devastated the area in 2005, but due to overwhelming public pressure, was forced to keep any plans on hold. With the city apparently returning to somewhere approaching normal, it was always going to be crunch time for Benson as to whether he would continue in New Orleans, or perhaps investigate other avenues.

One possibility is that if the area is affected in a similiar manner to 2005, the city of New Orleans - as extreme as this may sound - may become almost uninhabitable. Unfortunately for those in Louisiana, it is unlikely that the Saints would stick around, although short term they will likely play in Baton Rouge if there are any problems with the Superdome.

Long term, it is entirely feasible that we are witnessing the final throes of the New Orleans frnachise. Los Angeles based Developer Ed Roski Jr, who has pushed for the establishment of a franchise in the L.A. area, said on Friday that he is in 'no doubt' that a team will play there - most likely at the Rose Bowl - in 2009.

As it stands, the next two days could be the birth of the Los Angeles Saints.