Saints fly to Indianapolis

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Saints have gone to Indianapolis to prepare for next Sunday's NFL season-opener against Tampa Bay because of the threat of Hurricane Gustav.

They arrived in Indianapolis Sunday morning.

Coach Sean Payton had told The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune newspaper after the Saints' final pre-season game last Thursday against the Miami Dolphins that they would practice throughout the week at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indianapolis Colts' new indoor stadium. Contingency plans are to return to New Orleans next Friday, he said.

"I know (equipment manager) Jon Scott and our equipment guys, (associate head trainer) Dave Hammer and our training staff will be glad to help those guys out with whatever they need ... you know, towels and equipment," Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, a New Orleans native, told The Indianapolis Star. "I think Jon Scott's going to give them some blocking dummies and sleds."

Manning said he has been in contact with his family and friends in the New Orleans area.