Western Courier

Issue date: 9/25/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: MCT Falcons middle linebacker Edgerton Hartwell was picked up from the Baltimore Ravens before the 2005 season, but has only played five games for Atlanta.

While this evening's matchup on Monday Night Football should be promoted as a contest between two undefeated teams from the NFC South, the events of a year ago make it a different kind of spectacle.

Tonight's game between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints marks the first event held in the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina devastated it last fall. Louisiana, and for that matter, the entire South has been awaiting this date all off-season.

The Saints enter the contest having won both of their first two games over the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns. Even with the excitement of starting a season undefeated, many want to be a part of history as the Superdome welcomes fans for the first time this season.

Players such as quarterback Drew Brees, running back Reggie Bush and wide receiver Joe Horn have received an unprecedented amount of phone calls this week from friends and family looking for tickets to the game.

The Falcons also enter tonight boasting a 2-0 record with wins over the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With a win tonight, they will not only have a perfect record, but they will also be undefeated in their conference.

Atlanta's defense, which has only allowed nine total points, hopes to add middle linebacker and ex-Western Illinois University star Edgerton Hartwell to their starting roster tonight after he missed the first two games with a knee injury.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools