What does Who Dat Nation do in January with no Saints in the playoffs?

The New Orleans Saints are not in the playoffs this season, so what is the Who Dat Nation to do this time of year?

This weekend the postseason goes into full swing with the divisional playoff round. Make no mistake — the ‘Who Dat Nation’ loves football. The New Orleans Saints are a 365 day-a-year business and an entertainment empire here all day and night. In mid-January, there is a bit of a lull if the Saints are not playing. So what do we do?

While two thirds of the country are literally freezing right now, we are pretending that winter is here as well. If you’re brave enough to venture out into the frigid temperatures of the low 50’s, you will see Saints fans wearing their parkas and scarves with the celebrated fleur-de-lis. The Who Dats are tough down here.  While we don’t have to deal with 20-foot mounds of snow there are other challenges. I’ll get to those later.

So, when we’re not playing, we are talking about Who Dat Nation. When we aren’t talking, we are planning, and writing, and blogging about next season. We are all the Nostradamus of Black and Gold fodder. All of us are watching tape, breaking down players, and preparing for the draft.

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We all have part ownership. It may not be on paper, but it’s in our genes. I would imagine Mr. Tom Benson would agree that the city of New Orleans are the true owners. Without us there is no New Orleans Saints.

Who Dat Nation has spread now to every corner of the world to every continent. Maybe even some of the penguins in Anarctica have some warm gear to wear on Sunday. There simply is never enough to read, write, blog, or eat in black and gold.

Simply put, the desire for more black and gold lagniappe is running high in January. You wouldn’t understand if you’re not a part of Who Dat Nation. It’s a Nola thing.

Our appetite for excess and information is mirrored by our way of life. For example, when a person comes here they may ask “what time do the bars close?” My first initial reaction is a small chuckle. I usually tell them “when you’re finished you go home.” They don’t understand. I just tell them to trust me.

There is no closing time here. Of course, not every single place is open at 6:00 AM on a Sunday when most people are getting ready for coffee. However, if you search, there’s always a place open.

To this day, the best thing about New Orleans is that you can find someone to talk about the Saints anywhere. And I mean anywhere. I would say funerals are off limits, but I’ve witnessed a full blown debate  about what we are going to do about our defense while a casket is being taken away. Actually, and I can only hope, that when I leave this beloved black and gold universe that everyone will be dressed up in their jerseys in a jazz funeral.

So, lets get back to the challenge I was talking about earlier. The one thing that it usually not relayed in the articles about coming to visit New Orleans is having the stamina. You see, the holidays are usually over after the New Year celebrations.

Most people around the country are in settle down mode. I suppose if you’re one of the lucky ones after this weekend, your team may give you an extended celebration till early February. Here, it never stops.

Who Dat Nation is gearing up for Mardi Gras as I write this. I wish I could tell you what happens during the weeks of festivities. Unfortunately, I just can’t do that. I’ll just say whatever you see on TV is only the G-rated version. Who Dat Nation is a way of life. On Sundays, we don’t expect anything less. The fact is that this is the best city in the world. The 2016 New Orleans Saints will hopefully be the best team in the world come next season. WHO DAT!?