Las Vegas’ official slogan is: “What happens here, only happens here.”
But when the Saints head to Sin City for a Monday Night Football matchup against the Raiders, all of their activities will be very similar to what happens in New Orleans as the team will mostly be confined to their hotel.
“When we travel or when we're at home we go to a hard bubble,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “We'll be in a secured area. Period. So, it's not like you can just stroll down the lobby and roll some dice for an hour."
Payton said he didn’t have to implement those rules as the NFL put them in place as part of its efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
But not being able to hit the tables in Vegas shouldn’t be much of a problem for the Saints as players reiterated this trip is to play the Raiders, not blackjack.
“We’re here to play football,” Saints defensive end Cam Jordan said. “…We know that we’re of the same mindset. It’s a business trip. I don’t care if I don’t leave the room. I’m here to win a football game.”
Jordan said on a normal road trip, he’d walk to a mall or “something along those lines” but that won’t be the case this weekend for the Pro Bowler or his teammates as they adhere to the safety measures.
“Some guys like to go get dinner, some guys meet with their families, people come to the hotel, things like that,” Saints running back Alvin Kamara said. “With the world we’re living in, with the climate we’re in, it’s just something that we can’t do right now.”
Kamara said it’s an adjustment both players and coaches have to make but one he felt his team has done a good job of so far.
“We’ve got one goal in mind,” Kamara said. “So to protect that goal, we’ve got to do what we got to do, following the protocol.”
Despite being sequestered, Saints quarterback Drew Brees said this trip will still be unique.
“It’s absolutely a historic moment,” he said. “First professional football team in Vegas, the opening of this new stadium, which I’m sure is tremendous…”
Brees like his teammates said the focus is on moving to 2-0.
“This is an up and coming team with a lot of talent and it’s Monday Night Football,” Brees said. “And, obviously, we want to continue to get better and take the next step as a team.”
