Tagliabue visits Baton Rouge, Atlanta

NFL.com wire reports

ATLANTA (Sept. 12, 2005) -- Considering he began on a 6 a.m. flight from New York to Louisiana, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue already had put in more than a full day by the time he arrived at the Georgia Dome for the season's first Monday night game. - NFL Football -

agliabue was in Atlanta for the start of the game -- but not much longer.

"I hope to catch the second half at home on TV," he said.

Tagliabue called the Atlanta-Philadelphia game "obviously the marquee matchup of the weekend," but missed a fight that broke out during pregame warmups because he was chatting with reporters. The scuffle led to the ejections of Atlanta's Kevin Mathis and Philadelphia's Jeremiah Trotter. - NFL Football -

But the game was hardly Tagliabue's top priority of the weekend. He spent most of the day in Baton Rouge, La., where he met with New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson and LSU officials to work out a schedule for the New Orleans Saints' home games this season.

"It was a really good and thorough discussion today," Tagliabue said. "Everyone was very well prepared." - NFL Football -

Tagliabue said he was happy the plan agreed upon will allow the Saints to play four consecutive home games in Baton Rouge late in the season, beginning with a game Oct. 30 or 31 against Miami. The Saints also will play home games on LSU's campus against Chicago, Tampa Bay and Carolina.

"Right now they are trying to deal with the aftermath of Katrina, and it was clear that should be the priority in October," he said.

The other three home games will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The Saints' first home game, against the New York Giants, was moved to Sept. 19 at Giants Stadium.

Tagliabue said the issue of giving the Giants an extra home game was overshadowed by the severe conditions in New Orleans. - NFL Football -

"It's sort of inconsequential because we're dealing with a national disaster," Tagliabue said. "In that context another home game is unimportant."

Tagliabue said no definite plans were made for potential Saints home playoff games.

"Now that the team is 1-0, they're convinced they are going to the postseason," Tagliabue said with a smile. - NFL Football -

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2005, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved