Saints face more distractions with Rams next up

~ The team won't be able to practice on the Alamadome turf for three weeks because of a home builders convention.

SAN ANTONIO -- Saints coach Jim Haslett is hoping the sound of hammers and nails -- or any of the other commotion off the field -- won't be heard in the team's meeting rooms at the Alamodome.

For a 2-4 team struggling to come to grips with its displacement by Hurricane Katrina, a whole new set of distractions has come to a head this week.

In addition to high-profile front-office changes that may affect the franchise's future in New Orleans, the distractions include a large house being built in one of the end zones at the Alamodome in time for a home builders convention.

The Saints can't practice in the Alamodome for the next three weeks because of the convention. It was booked by city officials weeks before the Saints' move to San Antonio after Hurricane Katrina damaged the Louisiana Superdome.

"That's weird, seeing the turf taken up and they're building a house in there," Saints offensive tackle Jermane Mayberry said. "Coach Haslett has done a great job in concentrating on football. But, still, you walk into your building and they're building a house in it. It's like, 'Whoa.'

"Everything that you would think is remotely normal, this year it's different. Everything is different this year."

Just when the Saints were settling into a routine, it was disrupted again. In addition to three weeks without their primary practice facility, the next eight games will require travel. Four of those games are on the road, and the four "home" games are in Baton Rouge, La., more than an hour from San Antonio by plane.

"There's nothing you can do about it," Haslett said. "You just try to take it day by day, and every day is different. I really am proud of how the players and their coaches have handled the situation. They go with the flow."

In addition to the Alamodome, the Saints have practiced sporadically at a refurbished high school grass field about 10 minutes from the stadium. Haslett said the team is trying to secure a different field with an artificial surface in time for a practice on Friday.

The Saints play on artificial turf Sunday in St. Louis.

Haslett has shown frustration with the situation. But he's also trying to accept the disruptions lightheartedly.

Walkthrough practices that were conducted most mornings on the Alamodome field have been moved to the stadium's concourse. The field was rolled up and stored before the construction on the house started. The concourse is near some of the stadium's main entryways adjacent to the ticket windows.

"Someone walked in the door today and wanted to buy tickets," Haslett said, smirking.

Haslett also has noticed the attention some of his assistant coaches are giving to the house in the end zone.

"They're all asking about it," Haslett said.

As a part of the displacement from Louisiana, at least two assistant coaches are living in the Alamodome. One coach bunks in the former office of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, left over from when the Spurs played in the Alamodome from 1993 to 2002.

But most of the players aren't asking about the team's future home. Team owner Tom Benson on Monday fired executive vice president Arnold Fielkow, an outspoken proponent of keeping the team in New Orleans.

Benson continues to refuse comment over the team's future.

"That's petty stuff," running back Aaron Stecker said of the front-office changes. "We can't deal with that. You just go on. And whether we're practicing in a parking lot or a grass field, you just go out there and get the job done. On Sunday, you win games. And we need to get on a roll winning games."