New Orleans Saints Player Pens ‘Goodbye Note’ To Fans

College football fans in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles have already gotten a taste of what this fall's football season has to offer. Most communities in Louisiana from Iota to Olla and Vidalia to Vinton have already experienced a game under the "Friday Night Lights" as well. The only league that hasn't officially ripped the Band-Aid off for the new season is the National Football League.

The NFL season gets started on Thursday night. The opening game of the season for the league will pit the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs against the Ravens of Baltimore. On paper, this should be an excellent football game. Both teams will likely be involved in the postseason so this week one match-up will have implications.

The NFL's second game of the season is the one that could be the most interesting. The game is between the Packers of Green Bay and the Philadelphia Eagles. The game is being played in Sao Paulo Brazil. The game takes place at the Neo Quimica Arena. Yes, it's a soccer stadium. And there is a major reason for concern for fans of both teams.

Violence related to sports in South America is "a thing". It's so much of a thing that the color green is banned at the stadium during soccer matches. Guess what colors Eagles fans and Packers fans will likely be wearing on game night?  I am sure the NFL has taken fan security into consideration. If you want to watch the game it's on The Peacock Network.

The New Orleans Saints Open the Season on Sunday Versus Carolina

That game will not be played in a foreign land but you still might have trouble understanding the people in attendance. Something about a Louisiana/Cajun/Creole accent punctuated by a Superdome beer or two that makes communication a contact sport.

Oddsmakers like New Orleans to win this game handily. If you'd like to bet the game you may do so on any of the mobile betting platforms in the state. Or you might visit one of the sportsbooks operated inside licensed casinos in Louisiana. If you do choose to bet, good luck, just remember the Saints will let you down. Okay, maybe they only let you down if you're me.

Saints Fans Will Notice One Major Change on Special Teams This Year

Most Saints fans are familiar with the stars on the offensive and defensive side of the ball but aren't as keenly aware of special teamers. There is a big change on special teams as the Black and Gold forgo one Aussie punter for another punter from down under.

The decision by Saints coaches to go with Matthew Hayball over Lou Hedley has left Hedley looking for his next opportunity. But before leaving he did have some very kind words for Saints fans.

Very kind words indeed for the former University of Miami punter. Oddly enough the man chosen to replace Hedley comes to the Saints from Australia and has experience booting the ball "Aussie Rules" style. Fans of the early days of ESPN will remember Australian Rules Football often aired in the middle of the night.

Best of Luck Lou Hedley we hope your path won't lead you to Atlanta but if it does, you'll be busy punting quite a lot. Who Dat.