September 2008 (PDF) - Antigravity Magazine

HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGESPORTS
“I will get Section 330 of the Superdome rocking
each and every Sunday, you better believe that.”
HA: What’s your favorite Saints moment of all time?
SS: You know what really hits me in the heart, even just
thinking about it—see these goosebumps right here? In that
Falcons game, the first game back in the Superdome, with
the national spotlight on us…for my boy Steve Gleason to
break through the line and block that punt. If he were in
the Olympics coming off the diving board, as fast as they
go in that water with no splash, he’d get a 10.0 for the way
he executed. After they took it to the end zone, I can’t
remember anything that felt quite like that.
HA: What’s your least favorite Saints moment of all
time?
SS: Probably the first four games of last year. I wasn’t
drinking 190 Octane then, I was drinking Mind Erasers.
Really, though, it had to be the early ’80s and the Ditka
days. I’d love to forget those, but I can’t.
HA: Did those Ditka teams have any good players?
SS: I’d love to tell you there were a couple…
HA: What was your life like growing up?
SS: I don’t know who my parents are, but a lot of people say
that Willie Roaf looks like me, and Joe Horn kind of looks
like me, so I don’t know.
HA: What is Supa Saint’s mission statement?
SS: I was put on the West Bank for three reasons and
three reasons only. One, I will find a shutdown corner to
play opposite Mike McKenzie. There’s a lot of untapped
talent just beyond the concrete walls of the Harvey Canal.
Second, I will get Section 330 of the Superdome rocking
each and every Sunday, you better believe that. Third off,
I will never let Kenny’s Key West shut down ever again,
and I will not rest until all five of those things have been
accomplished or until I have a long night of heavy drinking
in Fat City.
HA: What would you say to the Pro Football Hall of
Fame to make a case for Rickey Jackson?
SS: I’d love to see him make some child support payments
every now and again, but as far as his on the field play,
I don’t think anybody could match that. His stats are
comparable to some of the best linebackers out there, so
I don’t see why not. If it’s just about his play on the field
you’ve got to give it to him.
HA: What words of encouragement would you give to
Jason David?
SS: I’d say, “Look, Jason. I encourage you to become a
lawyer, something else outside of football.” I’ve actually
been working with Jason on his footwork, in this pool right
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE SAINTS:
here. We run laps inside the pool, with the idea to get our
heart rates up and then we’ve been sharing some antics, so
I take full responsibility—he’s got to be in top shape to play
corner in the NFL.
HA: What’s your game plan for the first regular season
game—any parties or tailgating plans?
SS: Right after this interview I’m going over to Beijing to
work with some of those athletes a bit, trying to get them
going, then I’ll be back before the regular season. We have a
float, called the River Parish Disposal Supa Saint ride, with
a police escort, a DJ, some cold beer and Mardi Gras beads.
We’ll take a few laps around the Superdome and have a
good time.
HA: Prediction time: how are the 2008 Saints going to
do?
SS: Well, when it comes to predictions, you’ve got to
understand that sometimes I have to take a step back, take
off the black and gold shades and really take a good look at
the product on the field. I tell you, I’m thinking probably
19-0, just to be safe. 16 regular season victories, two playoff
victories and a Super Bowl win.
Drink daiquiris with Supa Saint at supasaint.com.
“Shockey’s going to make things more complicated for Sean Payton and the coaching staff—and that’s a good
thing.” —ESPN’s NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas on the Saints’ use of tight ends as flex wide receivers.
In 2007, Saints TEs flexed, or lined up as a wid
including 2007 NFC Pro Bowler Jason Witten, flexed 108 times for 7.8 yards per play.
20_homefield advantage: the sports supplement to antigravity magazine