NEW ORLEANS – As the Louisiana National Guard prepares to withdraw from New Orleans, Governor Jeff Landry has reportedly offered to leave several troops behind after witnessing the Saints’ preseason defense.
The emergency proposal came after the Saints surrendered 34 points to the Rams Saturday, raising concerns that removing any additional defensive personnel from the city could create an unnecessary public safety risk inside the Caesars Superdome.
“We came here to provide security and protect critical areas,” one Guard official said. “Right now, the Saints’ 20-yard line appears to qualify.”
Under the proposal, a small group of soldiers would remain stationed near the goal line during home games, equipped with standard uniforms, communication equipment and basic tackling fundamentals.
Saints coaches reportedly welcomed the offer but asked whether the troops could also cover receivers, pressure the quarterback and possibly stay until mid-season.
Guard officials said that would technically constitute a new deployment.
The governor said he originally planned to bring every soldier home, “then I turned on the Saints game and realized New Orleans still had one unsecured zone.”
