Saints Prefer LSU for Home Games

Forced to find a new place to play their home games this season, the New Orleans Saints would prefer to play close to home.

The Saints said Sunday that three options are being considered: Louisiana State’s Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, the Alamodome in San Antonio or at the stadiums of all their opponents.

From General Manager Mickey Loomis to Coach Jim Haslett to star receiver Joe Horn, the organization seems to want to relocate to Baton Rouge, which is only about 75 miles from New Orleans yet did not sustain anywhere near the damage from Hurricane Katrina that ruined the Superdome.

“If we can uplift anyone, obviously that’s worthwhile to us,” Loomis said. “We’re representatives of the people of Louisiana and the people of New Orleans.

“We want to play in the Superdome, but obviously that’s not possible. We would like to play our games in Baton Rouge. Obviously, the league has a lot of say. They’ll be involved in the decision. We’re trying to explore every possibility.”

The Saints open Sunday at Carolina. Their second game, which was supposed to be their home opener against the New York Giants, already has been moved to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., but the date has not been announced.

The team has moved its day-to-day operations to San Antonio and will begin practicing in the area today.

Loomis, Haslett and Horn agreed staying there and playing games in the Alamodome would be better than having to play all 16 games on the road.

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Jerry Rice could have played his last down in the NFL.

The NFL’s all-time leading receiver was mulling retirement after Denver Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan told him that he would not be the team’s No. 3 wide receiver.

His agent, Jim Steiner, said Rice wanted to close out his career no lower than a third receiver.

Rice had checked out of his hotel in Denver. Steiner said Rice was in San Francisco, and a decision on the future probably would come today when the Broncos return to practice.

Rice, 42, signed with the Broncos this summer in hopes of playing a 21st season with a winner. Hampered by a nagging foot injury, he caught only four passes for 24 yards in the preseason and had trouble getting open.

Denver kept six receivers on its final roster, including Rice, Darius Watts, Charlie Adams and Todd Devoe.

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The Philadelphia Eagles filled their need for a big running back, claiming Lamar Gordon off waivers from the Miami Dolphins. Second-year running back Bruce Perry was released to make room for Gordon.

A third-round pick by St. Louis in 2002, the 6-foot-1, 223-pound Gordon spent two years with the Rams and was traded to Miami two days before the opener last year.

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Veteran tight end Billy Miller signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns. Waived by the Houston Texans last week, Miller provides needed depth, with Steve Heiden the only healthy tight end on the roster. Aaron Shea strained a chest muscle during the exhibition finale at Chicago.

The 6-3, 252-pound Miller, starting his sixth NFL season, was Houston’s leading receiver in 2002, catching 51 passes for 613 yards and three touchdowns.

To make room on the roster, the Browns released rookie receiver Brandon Rideau, who was later signed to the practice squad.

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The New York Jets acquired offensive lineman Steve Morley from the Green Bay Packers for an undisclosed draft choice. The Jets also claimed wide receiver Dante Ridgeway off waivers from the Cincinnati Bengals and cornerback Lamont Reid off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals.