Bradshaw reiterates Saints ownership interest; Swap T.B. for T.B.!

While some thought Terry Bradshaw was joking when he said he was interested in buying the Saints on last Sunday's FOX NFL broadcast, the Louisiana native and Hall-of-Famer eliminated all doubt Wednesday.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Bradshaw, in Shreveport for induction into that city's Walk of Stars, told the Shreveport Times during his visit, "I'm supporting the citizens of Louisiana who don't deserve to lose the Saints because of a hurricane."

Bradshaw stated he has contacted potential investors to query their interest in joining him to purchase the team, acknowledging that he alone cannot afford Tom Benson's price tag - whatever that may be.

"I have pursued other avenues to find out if Mr. Benson would be interested in selling the Saints," Bradshaw is quoted as saying in the article. "I had to make sure I lined up the money. You've got to find out what Mr. Benson wants first."

You have to bet Saints fans across the state and country are on their knees, begging for this "T.B. for T.B." swap to come to fruition.

Benson has shown himself to be nothing more than a petty, penny-desperate prick to his team's core fan base throughout this ordeal.

On the other hand, Bradshaw would bring a breath of fresh air into the situation, add credibility to a non-credible franchise, and deliver more football knowledge to the table in an instant than Tommy Boy has in nearly 20 years.

Funny - Bradshaw in four days has seemed more genuine and done more for Saints fans' brittle psyches than Benson has in four months.

I'm guessing that the NFL powers-that-be have to be at least intrigued by the possibility of having a former great take the reigns of a poorly-managed franchise that has been under the leadership of a constant public relations minefield dance.

(Maybe that's where he perfected that Benson boogie...)

So I lift my glass...Here's to Paul Tagliabue and the ownership gang sorting something out, and strong-arming Benson to sell.

Because the two most recognizable domes in the NFL - the Superdome and Bradshaw's much-balleyhooed bald head - ought to be united.

(Just kidding. But not really. Read on.)

Because if Tags is so intent on keeping the team in Louisiana, something big will have to give for Saints fans to come back in their usual support. In this love-hate relationship, the hate has overcome the love.

Sixty thousand empty seats at Tiger Stadium serve as compelling proof.

So do the stinging comments concerning Benson's handling of the situation by noneother than Dave Dixon and Archie Manning, two Saints legends whose names hang in honor under the familiar fleur-de-lis on banners in the Superdome.

So do the stinging comments concerning Benson's handling of the situation by virtually everybody else around the country (except those in San Antonio, of course).

If one T.B. can't be the Hero of New Orleans, maybe (hopefully) another can.

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